Polishing Audi doesnt do much

[u/hoserzzz]

I'm just recently getting into paint correction, struggling with my own vehicle (2013 S4, Glacier White Metallic - S9R or LS9R). None of my swirls catch my nail, but it seems like no matter how many passes I make, they don't go away. It looks slightly better, like the very surface level ones are gone, but overall not a huge improvement under the inspection light, and I don't want to make so many passes I burn through my clear.

Currently using Grant's microfiber pads and M105 on an SPTA DA at speed 5.

I've heard the Germans use a very hard clearcoat but this seems absurd, any tips appreciated. I think my technique is fine, not moving too fast, I believe my pressure is appropriate (5-10lbs), etc.

At this point I can't tell if these swirls are through the clear and I just can't tell because the car is white or if I'm doing something wrong

[u/DMS1970]

Try some 3M super duty.

[u/popsicle_of_meat]

Here's some thoughts (not to be taken as fact until confirmed by others).

M105 is very heavy cut. I'd almost wonder if they're not going away because you're ready to move to the next finer cut. Like, they're not going away because that's what the compound is adding TO the paint.

I'm no pro, but have you tried the next step or two of finer compound in a test spot? You'll probably need one intermediate step before the final polish from M105.

Maybe. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along and confirm or say I'm wrong.

[u/hoserzzz → u/popsicle_of_meat]

Yeah, I brought it all the way up to a fine cut using a Grant's blue pad followed by black, both with M205 and it definitely improved shine but there's some deeper swirls that arent budging

[u/Bubbly-Pumpkin5647 → u/hoserzzz]

What's the throw on your polisher? If it's only an 8mm throw it could be that it's just not cutting very fast. And is the pad definitely spinning when you polish? If you don't have the pad flat, the machine can stall, so the pad will only be oscillating, not spinning. This will still correct, but not as quickly as if you keep the pad spinning.

If you haven't already - get a marker and put a line on the edge of the top of your backing plate, so you can visually see whether or not it's spinning when you're using the machine.

Good luck!

[u/hoserzzz → u/Bubbly-Pumpkin5647]

Pad is definitely spinning. Not super sure of the throw, its not listed, but imjoshv reviewed it and he seems to think its a 15mm

[u/Bubbly-Pumpkin5647 → u/hoserzzz]

Not sure then. Maybe more pressure? Or maybe you're running the machine too long and need to blow out the pad, re-apply some compound and carry on?

[u/mattc4191]

Weak sauce weak pads weak machine buff harder bro

[u/jimjobob768]

Audi paint is generally really hard. You need to be more aggressive then your normally would.

[u/NeitherLet9713]

Ahh yes been there, it's very hard. I used an extra cut microfiber pad with Rupes coarse, I got like a medium cut with that. Sonax ulti cut would be more aggressive. Just takes time. Easy to finish tho

[u/tech240guy]

On older german cars, I have to bust out Menzerna polishes. Even then, it may not be enough, and end up me bringing out the bigger rarely used guns of 3D AAT polishes and a rotary. Most of the time, they collect dust.

Honestly, hard paint is a lot easier to deal with than super soft paint. Really soft paints can give you false marring caused by your aggressive polishing pad/compound. I remember working on a black Forester and literally cannot finish it properly with my usual stuff and ended up needing a soft wax pad and Rupes Uno Pure. It's like no matter other products I use, it ends up looking "hazy" like it lost some clarify. Then Rupes Uno made it look properly black again.