buffer holograms on black cars

[Bill D]

I also think a PC or a Cyclo should be considered. No shame in following up with one.

[agentf1]

I have seen where once done buffing with a rotary and a foam pad the surface looks perfect but I have never seen where a few weeks/washes later buffer marks/holagrams don't start to appear as the product starts to wash off. I think you HAVE to follow up with a PC if you don't want to see buffer swirls.

[kromdom]

G-100 believer here

helped me do this to my lid

[kromdom]

used to look like this:

[DETLMAN]

Originally posted by agentf1
I have seen where once done buffing with a rotary and a foam pad the surface looks perfect but I have never seen where a few weeks/washes later buffer marks/holograms don't start to appear as the product starts to wash off. I think you HAVE to follow up with a PC if you don't want to see buffer swirls.

This is defiantly not true, only if the buffing technique is not good or the proper steps not completed. What did they do before the PC?

It takes a lot of practice to create a swirl free finish on black but rest assured it can be done. The problem is too many people grab the buffer and don't have the training/skills to do the job correctly and that is when you see the re appearing marks. If they would have finished the job they wont come back. Incorrect product choice can cause the re appearing marks as well.

[chip douglas]

I found out why I was getting holograms : I was moving the buffer way too slowly over the paint surface, allowing the pad to mark the paint more. Those who claim the buffer has to be moved very slowly when polishing are as far as I can see mistaken.

Last year as an example, I had almost no experience with the rotary and yet didn't get any holograms, even on my black car......why was that ? Well, simply because I was very very careful and moved the buffer much faster than I did this year. I eventually had to go back to my old beginner's habit.

[Bill D]

Chip, Ive been following all of your posts and I'm happy you got the issue resolved. Now, question for you:

You use a rotary exclusively, what speed/amount of time do you recommend for polishing out very minor micromarring visible only under intense halogens or sunlight from certain angles?

If I were to guess myself I suppose you could go under 1000rpm?

( I personally use a Cyclo for these but wanted to get your input)

[chip douglas]

Hi Bill :-),

You use a rotary exclusively, what speed/amount of time do you recommend for polishing out very minor micromarring visible only under intense halogens or sunlight from certain angles?

[Humm, my rotary at 1 on the speed dial, actually spins 1400 rpm--I measured all of the increments so to say, using a tachometer. So at 1, which is the lowest speed I get on my rotary, which at first thought to be 1000 rpm. I'd say for very light marring which can only be seen in bright sunlight, use Meg's finishing pad, with either 3M's PI III MG, or it's MeG's equivalent, which would likely be #82 ? And move the buffer not really that slow over the paint surface. Not that fast either but if too slow, you'll end up like me, that is with holograms . I got them even with Meg's finishing pad and PI III MG, because I think if the pad is moved too slowly, it causes it to *mark* the paint surface much more. As I've said earlier, last year I got no holograms , simply because I was being very careful and feared the buffer and thought it would damage my paint more than beautify it, so as a result I moved the buffer fast...not too fast, but not slow.

If anything, let me know, I'm online for yet a good moment.