1st PC usage, lots of marring / etching left

[perry]

Copying and pasting my post from Autopia..

I picked up a PC from Lowes and pads from (other vendors) this past week, so I naturally had to try my stuff out today!

The PC is MUCH more powerful than my poor little Craftsman buffer. The two just don't compare. Anyone using one of the cheaper buffers would be well advised to upgrade!

I just worked on half of my hood today so I wouldn't waste time doing the entire car in case I was doing something wrong. Today was just a chance to get aquainted with the machine. I taped off the half I was working on so I could compare and contrast the two sides. I really don't have many swirls on my finish, but lots of marring from acid rain and stuff. The car has lived outside for 8 years and been in a couple accidents (repainted panels..), so that's to be expected. I went in hoping that I could reduce some of the problems.

First I used Meg's #82 SFP in a section, but observed that the marring wasn't really going away. So up to #83 DACP w/ a polishing pad. I also got a cutting pad but opted not to use that my first time out.

Having never used a PC before, and never seen one in use, I was stuck trying to remember techniques I had read. I "primed" the pad by putting a thin line around the edge and rubbing it in with my finger. Then another thin line around the edge and spread the polish around the section I was working w/ the PC off. Then turned it on at about 3 to spread the product more. Then up to 5 (briefly tried 6, but didn't like the vibrations). I made passes front to back and side to side, trying to overlap. After a few passes, the DACP started to dust up. Removed it with a MF towel and it came off really easily. Back down to SFP, then (other products) on finishing pads. Does it sound like I was using the PC correctly? Should I apply the products differently?

Pulled the car back in to the sun and still saw what I guess is marring. It's especially visible at the ends of the sun's reflection. I took other pictures after each step, but accidentally had the camera in manual mode so they didn't come out too good.



I guess that I won't get rid of the marring without a cutting pad, and that may not even be enough. Again, 8 years of being outside and only in the past 3 or 4 have I been using decent protective products, and just discovered abrasive stuff w/ my Craftsman about 2 years ago. That said, it still irks me because I know about the ugliness that is there. I guess this car will be my learning platform so I can take better care of my next car

[Setec Astronomy]

Perry, I'm going thru the same thing with my car, that acid rain is a bear! After attending the Meguiar's Detail Day yesterday up here in NJ, I borrowed an eddy current tester to see how much I may have removed with very aggressive DACP application...but my measurements were...inconclusive.

If your acid rain damage is as bad as mine, I expect your prediction about the cutting pad not being enough may be correct. Sounds like your technique was good if the DACP was easy to remove.

Like yourself, I have been wondering what I did wrong, what I might have done differently, and what I would do on a new car to keep it in pristine condition. Stay tuned for my acid rain musings in an upcoming post.

[perry]

Oh, I know what I did wrong! Everything!

But I'm learning and getting better!

[Setec Astronomy]

Hey Perry! Don't beat yourself up! Rod Kraft, regional Meguiar's rep. and I chatted about this at the detail day yesterday...he told us he keeps his vehicle indoors as much as possible and washes it at least 4 times a week (his vehicle is the Meguiar's Tahoe you may have seen in the post pictures, so his reputation is riding on his finish, so to speak). Unlikely that anybody's regular car can really escape from this over the long term, but like I said in my earlier post, I am getting ready to post some questions on this topic that maybe someone can answer...for our next cars.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: 1st PC usage, lots of marring / etching left

Originally posted by perry
I just worked on half of my hood today so I wouldn't waste time doing the entire car in case I was doing something wrong. Today was just a chance to get aquainted with the machine. I taped off the half I was working on so I could compare and contrast the two sides. I really don't have many swirls on my finish, but lots of marring from acid rain and stuff. The car has lived outside for 8 years and been in a couple accidents (repainted panels..), so that's to be expected. I went in hoping that I could reduce some of the problems.

First I used Meg's #82 SFP in a section, but observed that the marring wasn't really going away. So up to #83 DACP w/ a polishing pad. I also got a cutting pad but opted not to use that my first time out.

So far so good. I like the idea of taping off half the hood so you can see the difference.

Having never used a PC before, and never seen one in use, I was stuck trying to remember techniques I had read.

*I "primed" the pad by putting a thin line around the edge and rubbing it in with my finger. Then another thin line around the edge and spread the polish around the section I was working w/ the PC off.

*Then turned it on at about 3 to spread the product more. Then up to 5 (briefly tried 6, but didn't like the vibrations).

*I made passes front to back and side to side, trying to overlap.

So far so good. I would agree with on the 6.0 setting, it feels pretty violent.

After a few passes, the DACP started to dust up. Removed it with a MF towel and it came off really easily.

This doesn't sound right. Perhaps you need to use a little more product? There is a sweet spot that you quit buffing at when using a Meguiar's cleaner/polish. You don't want to run the plisher until it's dry, but you need to run the polisher long enough to break down the diminishing abrasives. Experience with hands-on practice will help you to know when to stop buffing.

Back down to SFP, then (other products) on finishing pads. Does it sound like I was using the PC correctly? Should I apply the products differently?

You may need to use a little more #83 but don't buff the product to a dry buff. Also, try working a small section at a time. At our Saturday clinics I show working an area about a foot and a half square. Then, add some more product and work another section adjacent to the previous section and overlap into it.

Pulled the car back in to the sun and still saw what I guess is marring. It's especially visible at the ends of the sun's reflection. I took other pictures after each step, but accidentally had the camera in manual mode so they didn't come out too good.

Just to make sure, the marring you see on the side you worked on is also on the side you did not work on?

Mike

[perry]

Yea, both sides look similar to the picture I showed. The etchings were not left by my testing yesterday. I know I've seen similar markings on my trunk lid as well.

I don't recall SFP dusting up on me, so maybe I did it "right" and found the sweet spot because it was also pretty easy to remove. So I need to try to find that same sweet spot for DACP.

Besides dividing my hood in half, I also put a line of tape about 1/3 of the way down from the windshield. Was trying to figure out what size area to work with, and I think that the smaller area is good for me.

It's a learning process for sure

[Boss_429]

perry,

I agree with Mike............... work a smaller area. Say 2' x 2'.

Also, I find that a lot of people move the PC way to fast! Just barely keep it moving, and let the machine, pad, and product do the work. It should take a couple of minutes to work DACP over a 2' by 2' area.

Hope this helps.