Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

[Finick]

Hi everyone!

First off a thanks is in order more than anything. Around 2006-2008 I worked as a detailer with my buddy who taught me a lot about using a rotary (practiced on boats) and as things tend to do, we went separate ways and i recently found myself in possession of a car that had paint in good enough condition to make me want to correct it. browsing this website sent me down the right path and I ended up with the MT300, couple microfiber cutting discs, d300, UP, and I have a tin of #16 I got as a gift/thank you years ago that I decided to use to top it off. The results were stellar (profile picture.)

On to my questions;

1) My cutting discs washed up nicely, but the fibers seem to have some pink staining, presumably from the D300. I'm just wondering if this is normal or if I should refine my technique to avoid something like this with future discs. They're relatively inexpensive so i won't mind the learning experience if I did mess up, I'm just curious if this can be avoided, or if it's nothing to worry about.

2) Now that I'm back to feeling comfortable on paint I have family approaching me to "clean up" their cars. Obviously I'm not looking to put in a day on each individual car like I did with mine, so I'm interested in D151 as a potential one step for any friends or family that just want something fast and to make it look much better than it was. I'm assuming D151 can be used with my DA, and am I right in assuming that using it with one of the meguiars low profile polishing pads would be appropriate?

3) This was probably the most frustrating part of the detail, to be honest. I attempted to take several before/after shots but I could never get the swirls to show up in the photos. Admittedly, I'm just using my Iphone 7, so I assume that it's probably not the best camera for this task, but I'd think I could at least get something to show up. using the sun, a small LED flashlight I have, neither of these things worked really at all. Is there a trick to getting the swirls in focus? I'd love to have a collection of before and afters on the various cars i end up doing.

[The Guz]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Welcome to MOL.

On to my questions;

1) My cutting discs washed up nicely, but the fibers seem to have some pink staining, presumably from the D300. I'm just wondering if this is normal or if I should refine my technique to avoid something like this with future discs. They're relatively inexpensive so i won't mind the learning experience if I did mess up, I'm just curious if this can be avoided, or if it's nothing to worry about.

There is nothing wrong with a little staining. It does not take away from the performance of the pad.

2) Now that I'm back to feeling comfortable on paint I have family approaching me to "clean up" their cars. Obviously I'm not looking to put in a day on each individual car like I did with mine, so I'm interested in D151 as a potential one step for any friends or family that just want something fast and to make it look much better than it was. I'm assuming D151 can be used with my DA, and am I right in assuming that using it with one of the meguiars low profile polishing pads would be appropriate?

D151 can be used with a DA and with various pad combinations to adjust the level of cut.

3) This was probably the most frustrating part of the detail, to be honest. I attempted to take several before/after shots but I could never get the swirls to show up in the photos. Admittedly, I'm just using my Iphone 7, so I assume that it's probably not the best camera for this task, but I'd think I could at least get something to show up. using the sun, a small LED flashlight I have, neither of these things worked really at all. Is there a trick to getting the swirls in focus? I'd love to have a collection of before and afters on the various cars i end up doing.

It takes a little bit of practice getting the right angle. Keep playing around with that. The iphone is more than capable of getting a 50/50 photo.

[Finick]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

That's great to know. I actually ended up going back over the pad with some D101 as opposed to the pad cleaner that came with the buffing kit I got, and lightly agitated it with an old toothbrush and it broke up whatever ended up being leftover. D101 never ceases to amaze me, it's truly wonderful.

I appreciate the quick reponse, thank you. I'll keep practicing the 50/50 shots, and if I ever get anything good i'll be sure to post it up on here

[Nick Winn]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

I would second all three of Guz's comments above regarding pad staining, D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream, and taking 50/50 pictures.

I also would keep in mind D301 DA Microfiber Finishing Wax in your search for an "All in One/One Step/Cleaner Wax" product. D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream will have more cutting ability, but D301 DA Microfiber Finishing Wax used by itself provides major gloss enhancement & good protection really fast with very easy wipe off, and also mild cutting ability. It also tends to work well in the sun if needed. After washing, and claying if needed, you can work over a car in 15 - 20 minutes with a DA Polisher like our MT300 and provide a dramatic change in appearance. If you want more cut/swirl removal out of the product, you can always spend more time per panel & work it in longer.



- Nick

[Finick]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

I can always try both out and see which I like better as a quick one step. D300 was pretty impressive in terms of working time, and cutting ability. I don't think I ever actually managed to work it until it was dry (not that I was trying to, of course.)

Assuming D301 is just nice to work with, that may be a clear winner in my book. If that's the case I also should've just originally bought the entire microfiber correction system! Does D301 need to be used with the microfiber finishing discs? It's my understanding that harder paints tend to finish fine with the mf finishing discs whereas a softer paint tends to finish better with foam.

Would there be any benefit in picking up a mf finishing disc to do a one step? Would it offer more correction than the low profile yellow polishing pad I have? I realize these questions probably don't have a basic yes or no answer, I'm of course speaking in a general sense with the question.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

I can always try both out and see which I like better as a quick one step. D300 was pretty impressive in terms of working time, and cutting ability. I don't think I ever actually managed to work it until it was dry (not that I was trying to, of course.)

This is always a great option if you have the choice.

Assuming D301 is just nice to work with, that may be a clear winner in my book. If that's the case I also should've just originally bought the entire microfiber correction system! Does D301 need to be used with the microfiber finishing discs? It's my understanding that harder paints tend to finish fine with the mf finishing discs whereas a softer paint tends to finish better with foam[/QUOTE]

If this paint is super ultra soft then yes this could be a factor, but in general, I haven't run into much difficultly finishing with microfiber on softer paint, especially if just doing a one step.

Would there be any benefit in picking up a mf finishing disc to do a one step? Would it offer more correction than the low profile yellow polishing pad I have? I realize these questions probably don't have a basic yes or no answer, I'm of course speaking in a general sense with the question.[/QUOTE]

With D301 DA Microfiber Finishing Wax, especially when using as a one step & trying to get the most cleaning/cutting ability, it would definitely be recommended to pick up a DA Microfiber Finishing Disc for use. But it can be used on foam if you had to.

[Finick]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Thanks for your help

I should have the D301 and a couple mf finishing discs in a couple days and I'll post back and let you know how I like it!

[Nick Winn]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Thanks for your help

I should have the D301 and a couple mf finishing discs in a couple days and I'll post back and let you know how I like it!

You are very welcome and Sounds good!

[amblin83]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Cleaning: you can dilute some mild dish washing liquid in warm water and then soak the pads for 30 minutes. This should dissolve most if not all the grease and residual. Then dissolve some soap powder and gently wash by hand. This will work for foam and wax buffing MF as well.

[Finick]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Cleaning: you can dilute some mild dish washing liquid in warm water and then soak the pads for 30 minutes. This should dissolve most if not all the grease and residual. Then dissolve some soap powder and gently wash by hand. This will work for foam and wax buffing MF as well.

I'll have to keep this in mind! Thanks for the tip.

I can only assume I needed to agitate with an old toothbrush and some D101 because I only used 2 cutting discs to do my entire altima, and I was doing 3-4 passes at a time because some of the panels were fairly bad. I'd assume if I had more pads (maybe 6 for the whole car) I could avoid getting the pads so saturated with residue and product.

[The Guz]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

I'll have to keep this in mind! Thanks for the tip.

I can only assume I needed to agitate with an old toothbrush and some D101 because I only used 2 cutting discs to do my entire altima, and I was doing 3-4 passes at a time because some of the panels were fairly bad. I'd assume if I had more pads (maybe 6 for the whole car) I could avoid getting the pads so saturated with residue and product.

Definitely more pads would have been the way to go. Did you clean the pad on the fly as you were using them?

D101 will work fine to clean up the pads.

[Finick]

Re: Questions: cleaning Microfiber Cutting Disc, D151, better before/after pictures

Definitely more pads would have been the way to go. Did you clean the pad on the fly as you were using them?

D101 will work fine to clean up the pads.

Yeah, absolutely. The first few panels I was just using an old toothbrush to fluff them up, which probably didn't help the matter. I ended up using compressed air after they weren't quite fluffing up enough for my liking though, and I kind of beat myself up for not just using it right off the bat because it works so well. It's funny the info I could've found before jumping into stuff, like having several more pads. Granted, I guess considering I'm just messing with my car I could've just taken a break to spray them down, and dry them with the compressed air.. But that just sounds like a lot more work than just buying more pads.

That's good to know, I had read a thread over on autogeek about APCs and different types of detergents potentially leaving residue in the pads and being bad for them. Hard to know what to think with all the info around, but i assumed if I can spray APC on my microfiber towels and it doesn't hurt them over the long term why would it hurt my mf pads?