Help w/ using #83

[Slick]

All...

I had a lot of difficulty over the weekend using #83. For some reason, it was VERY tough to remove- even when using QD. Am I working it too much or too little? I assumed it would act similar to #80- which I've never had any trouble with, though I figured I'd have to work it slightly longer to break down the slightly higher abrasive content. Would appreciate any tips on how to properly work #83...

FYI- this was on a white '01 Mustang GT convertible with a VERY hard clear coat. Had hoped that #83 would remove the scratches beneath the swirls, but looks like it'll take a little rotary action to get the correction I desire.

[matt colvin]

Re: Help w/ using #83

When I use #83, I just make sure I'm not using too much product. Once the pad is primed, it takes very little product when moving to the next panel. Also, as far how much to work it in, I make passes of slightly decreasing amounts of pressure, and I work it until it "flashes" when I pass over a spot. It's almost to a dry buff, but not quite yet.

Does this help?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Help w/ using #83

In my first experiences with #83 I found it to dust very badly and was a royal paint to remove. Now I love the stuff!! Why?

• I don't use as much product as I do when working with, say, #80.
• I clean my pad after each panel by running the machine with a terry cloth towel pressed up against the pad.
• I work the product longer than I used to - if it starts to dust I ignore the dust and pay attention to the look of the product on the paint, letting it become very thin and clear looking.

I think the two biggest things are the regular cleaning of the pad and the work time. I used to think I was done because the dust was so bad, but the dust was there because I wasn't cleaning the pad. Further, because I thought the amount of dust was the determining factor in stopping, I was really stopping too soon and the product was very hard to remove. Funny how one component impacts another and you end up in a downward spiral!

[kellyinkc]

Re: Help w/ using #83

Use a dab. (made sure I spelled it right this time Tim) I did not like it either.
Discovered I was using too much and not cleaning my pad enough.
HLH

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Help w/ using #83

• I clean my pad after each panel by running the machine with a terry cloth towel pressed up against the pad.

I think the two biggest things are the regular cleaning of the pad

Discovered I was using too much and not cleaning my pad enough.

These two comments will go a long way to helping you have an easier time working with M83 and any product for that matter. Clean your pad after each pass and remove any leftover product before adding more.

Most people don't clean their pads often enough.

[Slick]

Re: Help w/ using #83

Looks like my two biggest mistakes were not cleaning the pad enough & excessive loading of product on the pad... makes sense. #83 seems to be more sensitive to this than #80.

... will heed y'alls sage advice the next time around. I got frustrated after spending about 4-6 hours per day in the garage this past weekend. I knocked off when the Santa Ana's started blowing (too much **** in the air). Still have some paint correction to do (scratch removal), but was running short on time (going on vacation this weekend), so went over the car kinda quickly & slapped a coat of wax on it (SuperGlaze by the Wax Shoppe). Will re-visit the process over Thanksgiving probably... may invest in a rotary & some practice panels so I can move a little more quickly next time 'round. Once I get all the paint correction done, want to apply a few coats of NXT... has really worked nice on my Saturn Vue.

Thanks for all the help!