G-100 and Technique

[DogParkGuy]

This question is addressed to Mike Phillips. When you have your classes on detailing, what are the most common mistakes new users make with the G-100 when trying to remove cob-webbing and scraches?

[Lydia]

Re: G-100 and Technique

This is a question I am wondering too...any answer, Mike?

[MaximusZTS]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Well I am not Mike but I would think on of the most common mistakes to tring to work too large of an area at one time, and moving the G100 too fast.

Work a 2' x 2' area at a time and move slowly. It does not work any better moving fast. It actually works less.

[Lydia]

Re: G-100 and Technique

I just read a lot of posts in this forum, and that's the conclusion I came to. Also, I read to not lift your buffer before it stops....that was a point that was stressed a lot.

[MaximusZTS]

Re: G-100 and Technique

I just read a lot of posts in this forum, and that's the conclusion I came to. Also, I read to not lift your buffer before it stops....that was a point that was stressed a lot.

Yeah a few weeks ago a guy lifted his pad while he was removing wax with a bonnet and the pad flew off and hit a guy in the head. There were no injuries but slinging product is not the only reason to not lift the pad while it is spinning.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Well I am not Mike but I would think on of the most common mistakes to tring to work too large of an area at one time, and moving the G100 too fast.

Work a 2' x 2' area at a time and move slowly. It does not work any better moving fast. It actually works less.

Well, I am Mike, just not Mike Phillips but I've seen a lot of people at the Wednesday Night sessions and Saturday Clinics do what I did at first, and more:

• working too large an area (as noted, a 2' x 2' area is recommended)
• not working the product long enough (let those diminishing abrasives, uh, diminish)
• working the product too long (don't let the product dry up on the paint)
• using the wrong speed on the machine (basically 5 to polish, 3 to apply wax or sealant, 5 to remove wax or sealant)
• moving the machine too fast over the paint (don't try to keep up with the "sound" of the machine, take your time and move s-l-o-w-l-y)
• not using enough pressure on the machine (the PC is great, but you still gotta do some work! xlbs of pressure can be hard to judge, but you should see some good compression on the pad, but not enough to slow the machine down)
• using the wrong pad/chemical combo (don't apply 80 with a maroon cutting pad, don't buff off NXT with a bare polishing pad, etc)

There are several variables to consider when polishing with a PC, but once you learn the proper technique you can accomplish some great stuff with one. At least the thing is safe enough that if you do screw up it's rare that you'll do any serious damage. Just don't drop it on the hood of your car!

[DogParkGuy]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Thanks for the responses. I just haven't gotten the knack of being able to remove spider-webbing. Because of the weather, this Saturday may be my last chance to try until next spring (condo turns off outside water spigots soon)

[hammer55]

Re: G-100 and Technique

not using enough pressure on the machine (the PC is great, but you still gotta do some work! xlbs of pressure can be hard to judge, but you should see some good compression on the pad, but not enough to slow the machine down)

I put some pressure on a scale with my hand and fifteen to twenty lbs is not much pressure, I like one guy approach, put a mark one the top and allow it to do one rev per second, appox

[Mike Phillips]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Well, I am Mike, just not Mike Phillips but I've seen a lot of people at the Wednesday Night sessions and Saturday Clinics do what I did at first, and more:

• working too large an area (as noted, a 2' x 2' area is recommended)
• not working the product long enough (let those diminishing abrasives, uh, diminish)
• working the product too long (don't let the product dry up on the paint)
• using the wrong speed on the machine (basically 5 to polish, 3 to apply wax or sealant, 5 to remove wax or sealant)
• moving the machine too fast over the paint (don't try to keep up with the "sound" of the machine, take your time and move s-l-o-w-l-y)
• not using enough pressure on the machine (the PC is great, but you still gotta do some work! xlbs of pressure can be hard to judge, but you should see some good compression on the pad, but not enough to slow the machine down)
• using the wrong pad/chemical combo (don't apply 80 with a maroon cutting pad, don't buff off NXT with a bare polishing pad, etc)

There are several variables to consider when polishing with a PC, but once you learn the proper technique you can accomplish some great stuff with one. At least the thing is safe enough that if you do screw up it's rare that you'll do any serious damage. Just don't drop it on the hood of your car!

Excellent, excellent summary...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Excellent, excellent summary...

Thank you sir, but you must keep in mind that I've had an excellent, excellent teacher!!

[ZoranC]

Re: G-100 and Technique

... I've seen a lot of people at the Wednesday Night sessions and Saturday Clinics do what I did at first, and more: ...

Would I be correct by adding: Not keeping pad parallel to the surface / not following surface?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Would I be correct by adding: Not keeping pad parallel to the surface / not following surface?

Yes you would be correct! In fact, one of the reasons it is often recommended to remove the screw in handle and hold the machine above the pad is to more readily apply direct, even pressure. Using the handle will often cause new users to angle the machine heavily in that direction as they "lean" on the handle.

[ZoranC]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Yes you would be correct!

Ask me how I know it

[LacViet]

Re: G-100 and Technique

And don't forget to make sure the pad is spinning while polishing so most effective work of removing defected can be achieve (by not put too much pressure on the machine, apply even pressure, and the machine is parallel to the work surface).

[Michael Stoops]

Re: G-100 and Technique

Ask me how I know it

OK, I'll bite..................