Help needed - DA Polisher

[Swiegie]

Hi

I am new to using a DA polishing machine.

I would like to detail my dads Black Double cab. The vehicle is about 10 years old, but the paint is still in mint condition, only a fine scratch here and there. As far as I can see the is only very minor swirl marks in the paint - more fine lines from washing than the horrible swirl marks that is usually visible when parked in the sun. I have clayed the vehicle last week and tackled the minor scratch marks tonight with a yellow polishing pad and some ultimate compound. My question is, how many passes can I give one section without damaging the paint? I have removed two scratch marks completely with about 10 passes on each panel at speed setting 5.

I have also bought some Swirl X to use. Should I rather use a black finishing pad with the Swirl X and give more passes on each panel or should I stick to the polishing pad and Swirl X?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Generally you would want the Polishing Pad for SwirlX.

Its hard to give an exact number of passes, there are so many variables. But with a good DA machine, you should not be able to apply too much force/pressure in one location, which is what makes it safer. And that means safer for more passes as well.

By 10 passes, do you mean 10 applications, or 10 times you moved the buffer over the scratch?

[Swiegie]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Thanks for the reply.

Moved about 10-12 times over the scratched area.

How hard can I press on the machine while polishing? I have used firm pressure, but the machine still rotated freely and did not sound as if was killing it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Just moving back and forth 10 times isnt much at all really.

It may be best if we had an idea of the machine, do you have any link, pic somewhere online, etc?

[Swiegie]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Hi

I am using the Shield DA Polisher, with the sponge pads supplied.

Thanks

[Mark58]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

what color pads? what type? Are you applying enough pressure? Apply enough pressure to stop rotation then back off a bit till pad starts to rotate slightly. That should do a good job.Continue with Ultimate compound till scratches are removed then follow up with Ultimate polish at speed 4 about 4 passes. Last pass go slower with little pressure applied to give you a best finish. When done top it off with your favorite wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Cant help you with the pads, but the polisher looks good.

I like to put a mark with a black pen on the pads so I can more easily see them spin. Sounds like you are doing it right, add some pressure, but not slow down spinning. Then if you push harder, it should bog down and stop pretty easily.

[Swiegie]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Thanks for the replies.

I have received the following pads with my DA:
1. Cream - Cutting pad
2. Yellow Polishing Pad
3. Black finishing Pad.

First off I am going to start by removing all the small scratches with some Ultimate Compound and the Yellow Polishing pad. Then I want to do the whole vehicle with some Swirl X and a Clean Yellow pad giving 4 - 5 passes per panel at speed 5. After that I would like also give the car a once over with Cleaner wax and the Black Finishing pad at speed 3. Lastly I will wax the car with Gold Class Carnuaba wax - This I will have to do by hand as I will be out of Clean pads.

Do you think that the process above will be okay?

What do you guys think of the Lake country pads, as I would like to buy one extra polishing and finishing pad? We are a bit limited to brands in South Africa, unless I import the pads myself.

Any further advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

[Mark58]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Thanks for the replies.

I have received the following pads with my DA:
1. Cream - Cutting pad
2. Yellow Polishing Pad
3. Black finishing Pad.

First off I am going to start by removing all the small scratches with some Ultimate Compound and the Yellow Polishing pad. Then I want to do the whole vehicle with some Swirl X and a Clean Yellow pad giving 4 - 5 passes per panel at speed 5. After that I would like also give the car a once over with Cleaner wax and the Black Finishing pad at speed 3. Lastly I will wax the car with Gold Class Carnuaba wax - This I will have to do by hand as I will be out of Clean pads.

Do you think that the process above will be okay?

What do you guys think of the Lake country pads, as I would like to buy one extra polishing and finishing pad? We are a bit limited to brands in South Africa, unless I import the pads myself.

Any further advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

Once you removed scratches with Ultimate compound instead of using swirl x get some Ultimate polish and go with your yellow pad.No need to go with cleaner polish just use your black pad put a little Gold class wax on it and apply to the car at lower speed. Just my 2 cents worth

[Murr1525]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

Yeah, I think if you are going to use the UC, you may as well buy the Ult. Polish, unless you already have the SwirlX.

You want your processes to look like this:

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. Cleaner/Polish - Ult. Compound, Ult. Polish, etc as needed
4. Wax - Gold Class, etc
5. Wax - 2 thin coats is best

or:

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. Cleaner/Wax or ColorX
4. Wax - Gold Class - The Cleaner/Wax or ColorX would count as the first coat.

Lake Country pads are quite good, you should have no problems with them. They do make a lot of options though, I am not sure which are best. But you can search here for what people use, or someone may chime in.

[STRIFE]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

^ i agree...but I would use swirlx first/ then UC IF needed...but I'm thinking more about my new 2011 Subie with the dealer installed swirls or the minor swirls on my garage queen G

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Help needed - DA Polisher

From the sounds of things you're working SwirlX with the polishing pad pretty good but not quite getting the results you want. We would recommend going with Ultimate Compound on the polishing pad, still at speed 5 and with moderate pressure, and see where that gets you on a test spot. UC is going to cut quite a bit faster than SwirlX but not so quickly that it will risk damaging the paint. It's just going to make your job a lot faster and easier. After that you can follow with something like Ultimate Polish or M205 on a finishing pad to maximize gloss, and then finish off with your favorite wax or sealant.