UC/UP DA Question

[GLOCKer]

Once I start my first detail with a DA (I recently bought a Harbor Freight DA on sale for CHEAP!!!) I plan on the usual 2 bucket wash, then I figured going right to UP with the DA. My thinking is that the UP on the DA will be pretty aggressive compared to how I was using the UC before; I was doing everything with a Walmart buffer or the DA Power System. Is this a correct assumption to make?

If I do come across a defect in the paint that needs a little more of an aggressive correction, I figure I can just use the UC then. If that's the case, should I switch pads on the DA and attack the panel with the UC, then switch back and hit it with the UP, or is it okay to "clean the pad on the fly", use the UC with that pad, "clean the pad on the fly " again, and continue with the UP? I'm thinking it's not a good idea to contaminate the UP pad with the UC, but I thought I'd ask just in case I was wrong. Or, is the UC with the DA Power system really more aggressive than the UP with the DA? Should I just keep a drill with that DA Power System handy to do any spot correction with the UC as needed?

Thanks!

[DasBurninator]

Re: UC/UP DA Question

Test spot, test spot, test spot!

This will help you determine how aggressive you need to get. Start off and mask a test spot off on the hood. Use UP first on a polishing pad and make a few section passes. See where it gets you. If the results are good then you know that will be your method.

If you are still seeing RIDS or scratches then you know you need to get more aggressive. Tape off another test spot on the other side of the hood. This time use UC on a cutting pad, make a few section passes, then wipe up the residue and switch to a polishing pad and UP. Make a few section passes and check your work.

I would not use UC and UP on the same pad if I was cleaning on the fly. Separate pads.

Which brings up a question: What pads do you have?

[Eldorado2k]

Re: UC/UP DA Question

And don't forget to keep in mind that sometimes there's scratches that are just a bit too deep that simply aren't worth picking a fight with. i.e. scratches you can feel with your fingernail.

Use a bright LED or direct sunlight to check your test spot.

Your car is already a trophy winner, and now you have the opportunity to take it to an even higher level Good luck!

[Nick Winn]

Re: UC/UP DA Question

Once I start my first detail with a DA (I recently bought a Harbor Freight DA on sale for CHEAP!!!) I plan on the usual 2 bucket wash, then I figured going right to UP with the DA. My thinking is that the UP on the DA will be pretty aggressive compared to how I was using the UC before; I was doing everything with a Walmart buffer or the DA Power System. Is this a correct assumption to make?

If I do come across a defect in the paint that needs a little more of an aggressive correction, I figure I can just use the UC then. If that's the case, should I switch pads on the DA and attack the panel with the UC, then switch back and hit it with the UP, or is it okay to "clean the pad on the fly", use the UC with that pad, "clean the pad on the fly " again, and continue with the UP? I'm thinking it's not a good idea to contaminate the UP pad with the UC, but I thought I'd ask just in case I was wrong. Or, is the UC with the DA Power system really more aggressive than the UP with the DA? Should I just keep a drill with that DA Power System handy to do any spot correction with the UC as needed?

Thanks!

To answer your question regarding our DA Power System, Ultimate Compound applied with our DA Power System on our red compounding pad is definitely more aggressive than our Ultimate Polish, on a yellow polishing pad, applied via regular electric dual action polisher.

We would agree like you have said, it is not a good idea to cross contaminate pads with products, even after cleaning a particular pad "on the fly."

We would agree Ultimate Polish on our yellow foam polishing pad is a great start, but as a next step if more correction is needed, often times we will recommend using Ultimate Compound on a separate clean yellow foam polishing pad, before going to our DFC5 Cutting Disc.

Below is a link to a great article to Tips for using a Dual Action Polisher:

D/A Buffing 101

[GLOCKer]

Re: UC/UP DA Question

Which brings up a question: What pads do you have?

I have the Buff & Shine brand Orange, Green, and Red pads.

I'll do a test spot the next time I start working on the car to see how aggressive I need to go!

[GLOCKer]

Re: UC/UP DA Question

And don't forget to keep in mind that sometimes there's scratches that are just a bit too deep that simply aren't worth picking a fight with. i.e. scratches you can feel with your fingernail.

Use a bright LED or direct sunlight to check your test spot.

Your car is already a trophy winner, and now you have the opportunity to take it to an even higher level Good luck!

Thank you! I hope it looks ridiculously shiny!!! LOL