Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

[LimeStang]

Hey guys,
I've currently got a dark red 2012 Fusion. I'm by no means an expert detailer but enjoy cleaning the car and keeping it looking good. I never gave it much thought until just recently when I saw a discussion about the types of applicators and bonnets available on the market. It's enough to make my head spin trying to keep track of them all Lol.

In the past, I always did my waxing by hand using a foam or microfiber applicator. Then I was given a orbital polisher which I'll admit isn't "high end" but has made applying and spreading of the wax a lot easier. I never gave it much thought until just recently when I saw an arguement on-line about whether it was better to use foam or to use microfiber.

The problem is.... I can't seen to find any bonnets for my machine that are foam. There's plenty of microfiber and lots of Terry cloth types. The packaging on one of the products I saw claimed that the microfiber was for "buffing" while the terry cloth types were for applying.

So whether I decide to do this job by hand or by machine. Which type do you you recommend I use for applying the wax/polish? .

Thanks!.

[greg0303]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Definitely your best option would be foam. It simply finishes better than other materials.

I had some experience using orbital buffer, Mother's Wax Attack, with Ultimate Compound and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't give me high level of paint correction but it did some. I guess SMAT products make a difference in performance.

A proper dual action polisher, however, would open a new chapter and allow you to perform new tasks.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Definitely your best option would be foam. It simply finishes better than other materials.

I had some experience using orbital buffer, Mother's Wax Attack, with Ultimate Compound and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't give me high level of paint correction but it did some. I guess SMAT products make a difference in performance.

A proper dual action polisher, however, would open a new chapter and allow you to perform new tasks.

I would second greg's response. For an orbital buffer type machine, foam is going to be ideal.

[LimeStang]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Okay thanks guys!. That's great info. The problem is trying to track down foam bonnets. All I can find is either microfiber or terry cloth. Heck... I can't even get foam applicators for doing it by hand. I've been to some of the larger automotive shops that carry detailing products and nothing is available.

Guess I'll just keep looking. Is there any truth to terry cloth or wool being a bit "rougher" on the paint versus say microfiber and foam?.

[LimeStang]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Definitely your best option would be foam. It simply finishes better than other materials.

I had some experience using orbital buffer, Mother's Wax Attack, with Ultimate Compound and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't give me high level of paint correction but it did some. I guess SMAT products make a difference in performance.

A proper dual action polisher, however, would open a new chapter and allow you to perform new tasks.

I've thought about upgrading to a better machine. I'm just concerned about burning through the paint. I wouldn't consider myself a newbie when it comes to detailing and wax. But, there's some things that I've always left to the experts (like scratch removals). So, are these newer dual action polishers designed to prevent paint damage in terms of speed and pressure?

[Old Bear]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Here is a link to a short video on using the MT300.
Replay the first 90 seconds a couple of times.
Notice that Mike Pennington is putting some downward pressure, yet not enough to keep the pad from rotating.
The MT300 also will stop or slow rotations if you tilt it. Watch how flat Mike keeps the spinning pad on the surface. It is important to keep it flat as Mike does in the video. You want that whole 5 inch pad working for you to remove defects.

I believe an MT300 with Ultimate Polish and a polishing pad, would like remove minor paint defects more quickly than hand use of Ultimate Compound. It definitely should be less time by machine, and your shoulders and back should get less of a workout. To get a common visualization of "minor paint defects", use the middle of the three three visual images of paint condition in the video above.

In regard to speed and pressure, you have considerable control. You are encouraged to do one or more test areas to determine what your paint needs to be corrected. You can do the first test at a slower speed and pressure and then move up if needed for a subsequent test. My left shoulder has not been good this last year. So if I needed to put more than a little pressure, I might look at the other methods of increasing aggressiveness of technique. Those might include changing from a polishing pad to a cutting pad, possibly increasing speed, or changing to a more aggressive product. The key would be to try a new test panel to see if I got the results I wanted.

You may find that you have some RIDS (Random Isolated Deep Scratches) that are deeper than others. You might be able to work those out by hand with UC, while keeping the largest areas of the vehicle for DA work.

Others are encouraged to provide their thoughts.

[greg0303]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

I can't even get foam applicators for doing it by hand

Meguiar's Soft Foam applicator pads are available:
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/x3070-foam-applicator-pad/

I've thought about upgrading to a better machine. I'm just concerned about burning through the paint. I wouldn't consider myself a newbie when it comes to detailing and wax. But, there's some things that I've always left to the experts (like scratch removals). So, are these newer dual action polishers designed to prevent paint damage in terms of speed and pressure?

Nothing to worry about. You won't burn paint. You won't damage it either, unless you accidentally (or intentionally, when you get mad ) drop a polisher on car surface.

Modern dual action (random orbital) polishers, like Meguiar's MT300, are absolutely safe. They use free spindle assembly (free rotation), so it's like a clutch safety mechanism if you try to push it too hard. You can learn proper technique of paint correction/polishing very quickly.

Dual action polishers are effective in paint correction tasks (including, but not limited to swirl/scratch/water spots/oxidation removal) and machine polishing is much easier/faster/less tiring than doing it by hand.

You could start polishing on slower speeds and once you master your technique, which will happen very quickly, start using machine's full potential.

[greg0303]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

Here's the link again (active version) to Soft Foam applicator pads:
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/x3070-foam-applicator-pad/

[Old Bear]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?65177-How-to-Polish-like-a-Pro-with-Meguiar-s-MT300-and-Ultimate-Products(Quick-Tips-Video)#F8AzlxPfWTXbpZ22.97

It does help to include the video link for the intro to MT300 Dual Action Polisher

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Need opinions on type of applicator/bonnets

I've thought about upgrading to a better machine. I'm just concerned about burning through the paint. I wouldn't consider myself a newbie when it comes to detailing and wax. But, there's some things that I've always left to the experts (like scratch removals). So, are these newer dual action polishers designed to prevent paint damage in terms of speed and pressure?

You are more likely to damage the paint from the bonnet flying off your cheap machine then using any type dual action polisher

It's time for an upgrade.