The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

[Mike Phillips]

The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint


Mike Pennington, the Director of Training for Meguiar's, gave me this analogy a long time ago so I want to give him credit for it because it's a good analogy BUT you have to be old enough to remember Graphic Equalizers.

Graphic Equalizers





The analogy being that you can adjust your pad, product, tool and technique just like you can adjust music using a graphic equalizer and when everything is dialed-in perfect for the paint you're working on you'll get the results you're looking for.

It does mean sometimes playing around a little to find the perfect combination of products and procedures kind of like adjusting a graphic equalizer for a single song so it sounds perfect to your ears.

When everything is right... you'll make beautiful music or in this case you create a show car finish.

Of course in order to experiment it means you need to have more than one product in your arsenal of detailing products.

Usually, a good compound, a couple of polishes with correction ability, a finishing polish and some LSP's, this could include cleaner/waxes and finishing waxes.

Clay, Car Wash, Microfiber Towels and if you work by machine then a variety of buffing pads and if you work by hand then a variety of hand applicator pads.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

I'm old enough! I still have the top one....it's a Kenwood though!

[Bill Davidson]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

Do I connect it to my iPod or my polisher


In all seriousness, that's a good analogy.
Each vehicle's paint is unique. You have to listen and adjust accordingly.

I guess a brand ie Mercedes paint (hard) can be thought of like a genre. It will give you an idea of where you should start, but you still have to listen to each vehicle individually. You can break that down even further. Sometimes panels on a vehicle may be repainted or they may have went through a different painting process. Never assume, always listen/look and adjust.

[rmatamorz]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

It certainly can take some time and money but if you are careful the results can be really good.... Nice analogy

[Chris Thompson]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

I have never thought of it like that before. It's a great analogy indeed.

[Sean Conrad]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

Wow, that's a great way to look at it. I remember the equalizer like these in the pics. I used to have one in my car. lol.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

Very good analogy for us old timers.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint



iTunes actually has a graphic equalizer built in. It's not as though the technology died.
It just doesn't get used as often. Analog controls were a lot more convenient.

[Woodie6250]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

Nice analogy Mike(s), but it can be taken even further and visually represent defect removal. The wave pattern of the sliders are a good representation of a magnified, longitudinal view of scratches in paint. Removing, or improving the defect can be simulated by moving the all the sliders level with the lowest slider (with the usual disclaimer about defect severity and paint thickness).

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: The Graphic Equalizer Analogy to Polishing Paint

Good Job!