Amount of D151 To Use?

[The Critic]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to machine polish for the first time.

I have a Flex 3401 and an assortment of LC pads-- white, orange, black and Hydrotech Tangerine.

On my Saturn, I hate some light to moderate swirls on the roof, hood and trunklid. The rest of the car is pretty much swirl-free, which is quite impressive for a 15-year old car.

To tackle the roof, hood and trunklid, I plan to start out with D151 and the Hydrotech Tangerine pad.

How much polish do I use, especially since D151 is an AIO?

Do I put four dots on the pad, spread the polish over a 18" X 18" area at speed 2 or 3, then proceed to using speed 5 for six to eight sectional passes?

What should the procedure be?

Thanks.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Amount of D151 To Use?

Moved this to Detailing 101 so you will get more help

[StadiumDetail]

Re: Amount of D151 To Use?

In my opinion you are overthinking this.

You obviously have the basic knowledge down, so the best thing for you to do is remember everything you know and just tackle your project. You will not get the perfect pad/product/amount combo right away so just modify your technique until it works.

I'll give you a personal example. I always read "only use a quarter size drop for ___ size section." When compounding I use way more product than is reccomended on forums, but you know what it works for me and I get much better results. I actually generally get better results overall when I listen to myself and do what I want, and just keep all the forum knowledge in the back of my head and stop listening to it verbatum.

[roushstage2]

Re: Amount of D151 To Use?

Use as much as needed. If I am using an AIO for cleaning too, I generally use a bit more product so I have enough to work it in a bit. If you are using it mainly for just a wax with a bit less cleaning, I tend to use a bit less so it is a thin coat. All depends on the objectives IMO.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Amount of D151 To Use?

you are overthinking this

I listen to myself and do what I want, and just keep all the forum knowledge in the back of my head

Maybe he doesn't have all the "forum knowledge" that you do, hense why he asked a simple question.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Amount of D151 To Use?

Here's a portion of an article I wrote on this topic for a DA Polisher like the Meguiar's G220v2 but the same principals apply to any polisher.

Note: Anytime you're using a cleaner/wax to restore a neglected finish, the worse the finish the more heavy or wet you want to use the product, this is because you want an ample amount of "liquid" working on the surface for you introducing chemical cleaners to the paint, (if included in the formula), and lubricants to cushion or buffer any abrading action taking place. You certainly don't want to be buffing on the dry spectrum.


How much product do I use with my DA Polisher?


Use an "ample" amount of product
When I say use an ample amount of product this means don’t use too much product and don’t use to little product.

From The Free Dictionary.com

am·ple
adjective

1. Of large or great size, amount, extent, or capacity: an ample living room.

2.
a. Large in degree, kind, or quantity: an ample reward.
b. More than enough: ample evidence.

3. Fully sufficient to meet a need or purpose: had ample food for the party.

Out of the above definitions, I'm using the 3rd definition.

Using too much product
If you use too much you can hyper-lubricate the surface and this will make it more difficult for the abrasives to abrade the surface as they’ll tend to want to glide or slip over the surface instead of bite into the surface.

Using too little product
If you use too little product there won’t be enough lubrication to enable the buffing pad to rotate and thus engage the abrasives against the surface so they can bite into and remove small particles of paint.

You want an AMPLE amount of product when first starting out because you pad is dry and some of the product is going to seep into the pad leaving less on the surface to LUBRICATE and ABRADE the paint.

Another option is to use a Pad Conditioner to lubricate and condition the surface of a dry pad, this will improve the buffing cycle and provide protection to the paint surface to help prevent micro-marring.


Cut down on the amount of product AFTER pad is broken-in...
After your pad is broken in with product, clean your pad after each section pass and when you apply fresh product you can cut down on the amount of product you actually apply to the face of your pad.

Some people will recommend 3 to 4 dime size drops of product as the proper amount of product to use and this can be correct for concentrated products or working small sections and if you follow this advice make sure you are not under lubricating the surface being worked.

I usually place about a 2/3rds circle pattern to the outer face of my buffing pad and get back to work.

Remember you want enough product on the surface so you have,

• Abrasives working for you.

• A lubricating film keeping and maintaining a wet film between the paint and your pad.

Often times if you don't have enough product you'll end up buffing to a dry buff and when you lose lubrication friction increase and this can lead to micro-marring or hazing.

***End of original article***


Of course with a Flex 3401 you can pick up a bead of product just like you would do with a rotary buffer but using the opposite of the 10 @ 10 Technique because the pad rotates counterclockwise instead of clockwise like an RB