Diamond Cut, Rotary, and foam pad? Suggestions?

[99GrandTouring]

Hey guys I have a 96 crown vic that has maybe been waxed 4 times its entire life..
Its my "work vehicle" and to be honest the finish is scratched swirled etc...
Now I know the idea is to use the least aggressive product possible however, after using a rotary some and as I'm not 100% concerned about the crown vic I decided to try diamond cut.

I had the rotary on a speed setting of 2 , a foam pad, and did half the hood using techniques listed here. The results are awesome and only thing left is to follow up with a finer product.

Here are my questions, is it bad to use a foam pad with this product? Is speed setting 2 ok? and also to be honest from the warnings here I was kinda scared of diamond cut however from my experience it would take a total careless act to burn through the paint or cause damage using this? As long as you keep moving and a slow steady pace it seems its pretty safe?

Lastly with teh speed setting of that the product lasted for about 2 passes (overlapped by 50%) so actually about 4 passes then the product was gone, is this normal or should there be a residue left? Is speed 2 too high / low? what would you reccomend?

Remember this isn't a car I'm highly concerned about but is good to practice / learn on and if I get great results all the better!
Thanks!

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

It is suggested and designed to use Diamond Cut 2.0 with a W-4000 Wool Pad. I have found that it breaks down too quickly when using a foam pad. Whereas Meg's #84 was designed to be used with the W-7006/7000 Cutting Pad as the #84 has more lubrication needed for use with the foam pad. Foam pads especially cutting pads, tend heat up the surface faster than wool though the the wool cuts more.

You need to be careful with the #85 Diamond Cut. While you did not burn through the paint, the paint has been levelled, meaning that paint has been removed. Caution is still advised.

If you are referring to speed 2 on the Makita, I find that speed too slow with the #85. I prefer to use speed 3 (~ 1500 rpm) but this is with the wool pad.

After the #85 with the W-4000 Wool Pad, I would step down to #83 with a W-8006 Polishing Pad. Otherwise, when you are out in the direct sunlight, you may see a slight haze from the #85.


I hope this helps!

Tim

[99GrandTouring]

There was some hazing left, I have a wool pad but didn't use it as I feared it would be too aggressive however after looking at it closer there are still some traces left.
The trunk is the worse with some scratches...
I might try the wool pad and be very carefull.
Here are some pics after washing it, I tried to get the sun directly on it but its setting so here they are...

[99GrandTouring]

here are some more pics, so what do you think?

[99GrandTouring]

another

[99GrandTouring]

more

[99GrandTouring]

[99GrandTouring]

...

[99GrandTouring]

so should I give the wool pad a shot? just be really carefull?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I think at this stage, I would use the #83 with a W-8006 Polishing Pad. Use around the 1500 rpm mark and then re-evaluate.

Please post some pictures when done!!

Tim

[99GrandTouring]

For that I'll have to order some prodcuts so, what would be good to follow up with after the DACP?
That way I can go ahead and get it as well...

I'm guessing 83 followed by 9 then 3 and topped off with wax?

Or is there a better suggestions?

[99GrandTouring]

Just to make for sure, you recomend using Dacp first?

I've only used diamond cut on half the hood, haven't done the entire car.

Not diamond cut then DACP right?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Sorry I did not get back sooner. I was having computer monitor problems. But I solved them last night around 2:00AM! UGH!

Anyway, I would suggest re-doing the hood with the DACP. Then choose a fender that has not been touched yet with the #85, and just use a couple of passes of #83 DACP. As Meguiar's says, use the least aggressive product. I have a feeling that #83 with the rotary with remove the marring. Diamond Cut is used for extremely hard paint or for removing sanding marks.


So...I would use #83/W-8006/Rotary
#80/W-8006/Rotary
#80/W-8006/PC
#21/W-9006/PC

Please keep us posted!

Tim

[99GrandTouring]

Cool I'll give it a try, however I don't have a PC, I'm using the rotary from work (dealership)

One last question, how do you know when to use the different cleaner/polishes in the professional line?

Specifically 9 vs 80 vs 82 since they are all close in aggresiveness, with 9 and 82 both being three high on meguiars scale on thier label?
So what are the differences and when should you use each one? vs using another one?

Thanks!

something I forgot, with clays and thier aggresivenes, what does it mean? one is stronger at removing surface contaminates or does it mean its physically abrading the surface more?

[99GrandTouring]

bump for last question..
Thanks!