How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

[Vincent]

This is my first try the DA with #80, and 8006 pad, wanted to remove swirl mark. After my 3 passes then manage to remove 80% of swirl mark. One thing I wonder how to tell if the diminishing abrasive have broken down ? Maybe I stop to fast before its broken down thats way needed 3 passes only to achieve 80%. Any can help me on this ? Thanks ..

[Bence]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

Breaking down means that the diminishing abrasives in a polish reach their final, extremely fine state, and they practically disappear. Their size is getting smaller and smaller, and after they performed the initial cut (while being in their original size), they break down into finer particles and do the final fine polishing of the surface, giving high gloss and great clarity. Heavier products, such as compounds usually contain macro abrasives (gritty feel between fingers), while other types, such as finer polishes contain micro abrasives (lotion-like). The abrasives (grit) are 'agglomerates' which break down to smaller, finer particles 'primary crystals' as they work. This can happen mechanically and/or temp-sensitively.

As you watch the trace of the polish, you can see that it gets finer as you progress with the procedure. When the polish is so fine that it is almost translucent, opaque - because the particles in it are now ever soooo small - this is the final state of its working cycle - the polish has broken down, and it is ready for removal.

Don't work them until they start to dust because the dry dust particles can mar the finish. In the end, you will end up with less residue, easier removal. There is no firm timeframe for the working time of a given polish. Count in factors like outside temp., surface temp., humidity, pad type, pressure, machine speed, etc.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

Breaking down means that the diminishing abrasives in a polish reach their final, extremely fine state, and they practically disappear. Their size is getting smaller and smaller, and after they performed the initial cut (while being in their original size), they break down into finer particles and do the final fine polishing of the surface, giving high gloss and great clarity. Heavier products, such as compounds usually contain macro abrasives (gritty feel between fingers), while other types, such as finer polishes contain micro abrasives (lotion-like). The abrasives (grit) are 'primary crystals' which break down to smaller, finer particles 'agglomerates' as they work. This can happen mechanically and/or temp-sensitively.

As you watch the trace of the polish, you can see that it gets finer as you progress with the procedure. When the polish is so fine that it is almost translucent, opaque - because the particles in it are now ever soooo small - this is the final state of its working cycle - the polish has broken down, and it is ready for removal.

Don't work them until they start to dust because the dry dust particles can mar the finish. In the end, you will end up with less residue, easier removal. There is no firm time-frame for the working time of a given polish. Count in factors like outside temp., surface temp., humidity, pad type, pressure, machine speed, etc.

Good answer.


The bigger picture is that when you're machine cleaning and polishing, (cleaning means removing defects), you're always better off to buff longer versus less as long as you have a wet film on the surface and have not gone to a dry buff.

Don't make machine cleaning and polishing harder than it has to be.

Map out a section to work on, work the product 2 to 3 passes in 2-3 directions and in most cases you'll have worked the product long enough to do the job and then wipe off the excess. Buffing longer, or running the polisher after the diminishing abrasives have broken down isn't going to hurt anything as long as there is still a film of wet product on the surface.

[Vincent]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

Hi Bence,
Thank you so much for your detail explaination, even Mike said you are good. You really good with Meguairs product, I think you are qualify to work for Meguairs like Mike.. Now I totally understand when to stop buffing to get better results. Thanks god to have a guy like you here to help.. Thanks Mike as well..

[fishbonezken]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

wow great answer from Bence and Mike!

I have another question, should wiping off the broken down polish be effortless or it will be a little bit 'grabby'?

[Bence]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

This is totally product dependent... but if you've applied the polish liberally (less effective), then it will be harder to remove as well.

[fishbonezken]

Re: How to defind the diminishing abrasive have broken down ?

This is totally product dependent... but if you've applied the polish liberally (less effective), then it will be harder to remove as well.

ahh, thanks, what about M80 and M83?
which should or should not be effortless to wipe off after they have been broken down?