Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

[scootergmc]

First off, I'm not a professional by any means and my vehicles are nothing to write home about. I can live with a few swirls, water spots, nicks and dents, etc. I have a PC 7424xp and a few decent products. I guess I know just enough to get myself into trouble.

With that said, I recently purchased some Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and tested in out on the right side of my truck bed, just to see how it it would turn out and if it would be worth doing the rest of the truck. I used the PC with a LC orange pad on speed #4. I worked the M2 rather quickly as I was ready to make another pass if it didn't turn out. Well, the first pass worked great, it removed the haze and water spots very quickly. The rough part came in removing it by hand, as the directions indicate. I used a microfiber cloth, and it took more elbow grease than I've ever used on any product. I felt like Popeye, pre-spinach after a grueling dirt bike race. Was I doing something wrong? It was light coat, temps in the low 70s, applied in the shade of my garage. I was able to remove it all, and applied a light coat of wax afterwards. It really does look great compared to the remainder of the truck.

I assume I could just use a rotary buffer/polisher to remove the M2, would that be OK? What pad would you recommend for removal by rotary?

[davey g-force]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

You didn't let it dry before removal did you? How much product did you use?

Ideally, that shouldn't happen, but if it does, you could use some QD to help make removal easier.

[Murr1525]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

Generally want to remove the cleaners by hand if at all possible. It may have dried up on you. You may want to apply it for a shorter period of time, or do a second application just to re-wet it then stop and remove. Or a spray of QD perhaps.

I don't know that the M2 is really meant for DA application either, so may not be as easy simple when not used that way.

[scootergmc]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

I read the bottle before purchasing, it said application by DA was ok. I'm thinking I did let it dry too much since the instructions say "nearly dry." That could be what I did wrong.

[the other pc]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

Sounds like you also used way too much product.

You might also have been trying to work too large an area. How big an area did you work at a time?

If you use the right amount for the area worked there should be no more than a very slight, barely visible film left on the surface. And it should wipe off fairly easily.



pc

[scootergmc]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

Sounds like you also used way too much product.

You might also have been trying to work too large an area. How big an area did you work at a time?

If you use the right amount for the area worked there should be no more than a very slight, barely visible film left on the surface. And it should wipe off fairly easily.



pc

It's an '04 Dodge Ram. I did the right side of the bed in three sections, so yes I could've been working too much area. As for too much product, it was no different that a simple light coat of wax. It seems to me that if it was a "barely visible film" it would then dry rapidly and I would be in the same boat I was just in. Perhaps I should do some more testing on my next section. It's not like I'm dealing with a show car here... Thanks for your help.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

you use to much. use very, very, very little product. work a small 2'x2' area only. work it until the product is off the paint.

[scootergmc]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

work it until the product is off the paint.

Do you mean keep working the product with the DA until it's all the way gone?

[Detailing by M]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

well when I'm cutting I use very little product. I can only see the product for the first few passes then it's gone so I usually have a little, tiny, itty, bitty bit left on the paint that wipes off with ease. You don't need alot of product, ever. You applying a micro thin layer of anything on your paint so alot of product just causes problems, as your finding out.
Most problems noobs have is using way to much.
Your using Hardware - Pad & DA AND Software - Product.
Trust your hardware will do some of the work and don't use a gallon of product

[davey g-force]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

Do you mean keep working the product with the DA until it's all the way gone?

With compounds / polishes, you always need some product on the paint / pad. NEVER dry buff.

...But yeah, you don't need much. If in doubt, just stop the DA for a second and touch the pad with your finger to check it is still wet and lubricated.

[Detailing by M]

^^^^ realy?
So a compound on a wool pad isn't dry? So I sould use 2 oz of product so it's wet?
This is wrong information.
Cutting is dry process. Don't ad water or, as you'ev alredy found out, use alot of product.
Use only a few drops of product and you won't have concreat on your paint as you already gave done.

[davey g-force]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

^^^^ realy?
So a compound on a wool pad isn't dry? So I sould use 2 oz of product so it's wet?
This is wrong information.
Cutting is dry process. Don't ad water or, as you'ev alredy found out, use alot of product.
Use only a few drops of product and you won't have concreat on your paint as you already gave done.

Huh? Dude settle down and re-read my post.

I never said to over-use product, nor did I say to add water.

[Detailing by M]

Dude you said Never dry buff.
And make sure it's wet.
So explain how to do this.

[davey g-force]

Re: Removing Fine Cut Cleaner ? Did I do something wrong?

Simple.

As I said, make sure the product doesn't dry out on the pad / paint while you're buffing. No need to use much product, no need to add water.

[Detailing by M]

The compound will dry out the instant you start using it. I still don't understand how you can say don't let it dry out, that is the nature of a compound, it's like fine sanding.