understanding compounds

[cleanspotdetailing]

I have a DA power system...from what I understand everytime you use compound it strips alittle of the clearcoat away from you car. With the being said how many times can you use compound(or polish) before you actually start taking away from the actual paint on the car?

[calbach]

It takes a tiny bit off each time. You can buff a car several times though before you really burn through. It all depends on how much clear is there to begin with. The more orange peel the more clear. If you're paint is a mirror type flat I wouldn't use it but otherwise go ahead and proceed with caution. You got any experience with a da?

[BillyJack]

Re: understanding compounds

The amount of paint you remove with every process is determined by the level of aggressiveness of the compound or polish, pad choice and pressure. Only the use of a paint thickness meter can tell you for sure, but even thin factory clears can tolerate a few aggressive compoundings without becoming perilously thin. With a polish such as UP, M205 or ColorX, the number becomes near infinite. Hence the need for careful technique when washing or wiping with a waterless / rinseless wash or QD. Every vehicle that's in use out in the real world is going to acquire scratches or swirls, but if you can minimize the damage inflicted when doing regular cleanings, you can minimize the number of sessions with the polisher and preserve the paint coating longer.

Bill

[cleanspotdetailing]

Re: understanding compounds

Clabach. I have alittle experience with a DA...right now I use the DA power System. I know it's not much in the way of professional but it does give me the desired results. I have used the Ultimate compound....but is their one that is easier on the clear coat yet still as effective?

[calbach]

Your best best would be ultimate compound as it is pretty user friendly. I usually go for the 105/205 combo on a rotary but I also have experience as a detail tech in a body shop. There we use 3m which is fantastic stuff as well but takes a little experience to use

[Detailing by M]

Re: understanding compounds

I have a DA power system...from what I understand everytime you use compound it strips alittle of the clearcoat away from you car. With the being said how many times can you use compound(or polish) before you actually start taking away from the actual paint on the car?

Well the only way to actually know how many times you can compound an OEM paint job is to get a reading on how much CC you actually have.

Well that is expensive to do, so for me I'll only compound a stock paint job about 3-5 times at the most.
But compounding is something you do when the paint is in really bad shape.
Most of the cars I do I polish them only and compound when perfection is needed.

The fist time you compound you paint you'll get a feeling for the thickness of the paint, maybe.
So it's a trial and error situation.
The DA is a very safe tool but if you abuse it it can do some damage but that's highly unlikely.

Use UC and a maroon pad and you'll be fine. Just check your work as you go and don't forget to test the panels at every step, this is what make you a pro, not just assuming every panel is the same and all the paint will react as the last panel reacted.

[kiwiatlarge]

Re: understanding compounds

I would have thought that if you have to do any more than say a couple of good aggressive maroon pad compound corrections of your car, during the time that you own it... than there is something wrong... Once a car has had a good correction the once, surely maintenance with a less aggressive polish and polishing pad once in a while will suffice...