Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

[TorGuy]

Hello!,

I have a few important questions in regards to compounding my 2004 Mazda 6i.

I bought the following Craftsman 5inch Random Orbit sander/polisher which has a 5,000-12,000 opm variable speed control from a place called Canadiantire.

A lot of people said its not powerful enough, as when I press down on it to polish the car, it will slow down a lot, however on testing it and pressing really hard on it , it actually doesn't slow down the least bit.

Anyways, I would like to know if this sander/polisher is okay/safe to use on my car?

canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/2/CordedPowerTools/Sanders/PRD~0541240P/Mastercraft%252BRandom%252BOrbit%252BSander%25252BPolisher%25252C%252B%252B2.4A.jsp

Now I know about the Porter Cable and all, but I just can't afford to dish out the money for one, nor would I want to for just basic polishing/compouding.

My second question is, is the following polishing pad okay/safe to use on my car for both polishing and compounding? I want a fairly lite compounding job done.

canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarWashingCleaning/CarPolishers/PRD~0475944P/7-in.%252BHook-%252526-Loop%252BPolishing%252BPad.jsp


And last but certainly not least, the sander/polisher I bought use's Velcro pads (Hook-&-Loop), and was wondering if I just slap on the polishing pad shown in the link above and just polish away? Or, do I have to place a foam like pad on the sander/polisher, and then put the polishing pad from the link above on top of the foam like pad?

Also, can I use a 7 inch polishing pad on a 5inch sander/polisher?


If you need any clarification, please do let me know!



Thank you very much for your time and effort in hopefully answering these important questions!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Welcome to MOL!

We removed the clickable links as we don't allow those during a member's initial posts.

With that out of the way, let's look at we've got here:

That buffer, at that price point and with a speed range of 5,000 to 12,000 OPM is most likely not going to be really suitable for serious defect removal. While the OPM rating sounds crazy high (top quality D/A polishers are on the order of 1,800 to 6,800 OPM) the motor itself is likely to have very little power. You say that you've been able to put a lot of pressure down on it without bogging - how did you test this? On a panel of your car, with a pad attached and some product applied to it? If so, and it really won't bog down, then those very high speeds are worrisome indeed. One thing this product page does not tell us is what the throw, or stroke, of the tool is. Since this is obviously a sanding tool primarily (evidence the dust bag on the back) it's possible that it has a very short throw, meaning again that it's not going to provide a lot of cutting power for serious defect removal.

But having said all that, if your paint is in very good shape to begin with, and/or it's fairly soft paint, you may be able to maintain the finish with regular use of this tool. We don't hold a ton of hope for it, but you might be able to.

The pad you linked to appears to be a wool pad, synthetic or otherwise. These tend to be pretty aggressive when coupled with a powerful tool, but can be much less so with a low power tool. The potential issue with this type of pad is marring of the paint. And that marring could be very noticeable. A lot of variables come into play here, mostly how the paint reacts to it.

Apologies if this all sounds very non-specific, but this type of tool is generally not used to great success for serious paint correction.

[TorGuy]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Hey,

Well thanks a lot for answering so far!

Yes my paint is in very good condition, but I have lite swirls, and some fairly bad scratch areas on the car. By the way, can I still use a little Ultimate Compound to do the whole car?


Well as far as pressing down on the sander/polisher, I put a bonnet on it, and then pressed down on it with my hand, and on the floor fairly hard with it at lowest speed setting, '5' which is 5,000 opm. It does not spin so fast, but fast enough, or at least comparing it to the Porter Cable, it spins about the same speed. I mean of course if I really press hard, which I take it that you shouldn't be doing while polishing the car in the first place, it does blog down.


And what about as far as the polishing pad, in general, can I just put the polishing pad on the machine and polish away, or would I have to buy a foam pad first, and then put the polish pad on top of it? Again I mean in general, lets even assume im using a Porter Cable.


Lastly, if I were to compound my car by hand instead, I have a Simoniz Microfibre Premium Wash Mitt, would that be good to use?



Thanks a lot, and looking forward to hearing from you.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Wash mitt used to compund? I would not do that.

Pick up some foam applicator pads if possible or even some microfiber applicators. I do not know that I would use that device on my paint with that pad. Looks like it would potentially cause more swirls. The hand pads are the safest bet and using a cotton/terry cloth applicator, some Ultimate Compund and some "passion" you would be amazed at how quickly some defects can be removed. In your case, I would stick with a foam applicator and either Swirlx or Ultimate Compund. The foam pad offers no cut in itself therefore being the go-to applicator for the "least aggressive method."

Furthermore, make sure to do a test spot first with whatever products and pads that you are going to use. Tape off about a 1' by 1' square (if working by hand; if by machine increase it to 2' by 2' if you want) and do each step of the process (cleaning, polishing, waxing) on that one area to see how the car will look afterwards. If you are pleased with the test spot then procede to do the whole car. Otherwise, choose another test spot and if the defects remained from before then try another correctly worked in application of your designated paint cleaner.

I do almost everything by hand (partly because I am saving up for a kit from ADS) and because my finish is in very good shape.

[TorGuy]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Wash mitt used to compund? I would not do that.

Pick up some foam applicator pads if possible or even some microfiber applicators. I do not know that I would use that device on my paint with that pad. Looks like it would potentially cause more swirls. The hand pads are the safest bet and using a cotton/terry cloth applicator, some Ultimate Compund and some "passion" you would be amazed at how quickly some defects can be removed. In your case, I would stick with a foam applicator and either Swirlx or Ultimate Compund. The foam pad offers no cut in itself therefore being the go-to applicator for the "least aggressive method."

Furthermore, make sure to do a test spot first with whatever products and pads that you are going to use. Tape off about a 1' by 1' square (if working by hand; if by machine increase it to 2' by 2' if you want) and do each step of the process (cleaning, polishing, waxing) on that one area to see how the car will look afterwards. If you are pleased with the test spot then procede to do the whole car. Otherwise, choose another test spot and if the defects remained from before then try another correctly worked in application of your designated paint cleaner.

I do almost everything by hand (partly because I am saving up for a kit from ADS) and because my finish is in very good shape.

Yea my car paint is in very good condition, so I might just take your advice and do it by hand.

But just for record, are the following okay to use with my sander/polisher?


(Sorry to post links again, please feel free of course to take them off if need be.)

*No outside hyperlinks before 30 posts

Thanks.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Hi Torguy -

Those links didn't quite embed properly, plus we ask new users to reach 30 posts before adding hyperlinks so I had to remove them.

That said, the second [hand] applicators looked safe, but I can't comment on the machine pads. I would stick to Meguiar's branded pads (or at least something not sold at a a tire chain) to be safe that you won't expect swirls or scouring on the paint.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[TorGuy]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Hi,

Ok, well im looking at the Meguiars foam applicator, the Meguiars W0004, is that good for my use? And is it safe to use with my sander/polisher aswell?

Thanks.

[TorGuy]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

For the above, I was also looking at the Meguiars W8204, and the W8006 foam pad, which has the Velcro at the back which I assume is more suitable for sander/polisher?

Also, Can I use the Ultimate Compound on my whole car even though I have lite swrils and some problem scratch areas?


Thanks for your patience in this, its just that I am new to all this stuff and don't want to mess things up.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Hi,

Ok, well im looking at the Meguiars foam applicator, the Meguiars W0004, is that good for my use? And is it safe to use with my sander/polisher aswell?

Thanks.

That pad is highly recommended for hand application of any type of product - paint cleaner, polish or wax - but it is not suitable for use with a power tool of any kind.

For the above, I was also looking at the Meguiars W8204, and the W8006 foam pad, which has the Velcro at the back which I assume is more suitable for sander/polisher?

Also, Can I use the Ultimate Compound on my whole car even though I have lite swrils and some problem scratch areas?


Thanks for your patience in this, its just that I am new to all this stuff and don't want to mess things up.

The W8204 is too small to use with that tool, but the W8006 should be fine.

You can use UC on the entire car, and probably should. A more aggressive approach with it will remove the swirls and isolated lighter scratches, while any use of it will remove very fine defects and effectively deep clean the paint. That will restore overall gloss and brilliance throughout the finish.

[TorGuy]

Re: Sander/Polisher Meguiar's Ultimate Compound?

Ok great, well thanks a lot for that information Mike. I will give it a go!