M83 Question

[audioguy99]

I recently tried working with the G100 and #83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. I got great results when it was all said and done, but had a very difficult time removing it from the surface.

I've read the posts, watched the PC for ShowCar Results DVD, etc. I do a small section at a time and try not to let it dry. I've used a little product and a lot...but no matter what it seems really difficult to remove. I try to not work it too long, but want to give it time to actually do its job. It definitely doesn't work near as easily as #80 appeared to.

I tried making the microfiber damp but that seems to smear it. Same with Last Touch. Any help with what will make this go easier for me??

Thanks,
Jonathan

[vettemaniac]

Re: M83 Question

I would guess that it might not have been worked in/broken down enough. That was my mistake when trying #83 for the first time. It was real hard to remove, and so I worked it in for longer, and what do ya know it worked. It's real oily so you have to get used to it.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: M83 Question

How often are you cleaning your pads? Most people don't clean their pads often enough, clean them after every one or two applications of product.

M83 is not as wet as M80 and thus less play time, also less pad rotation which is where most of the real cleaning takes place. Under average temp and humidity, you can usually make two passes in two directions in an area about 2 feet squared, after this the product will start to dry up and cause wipe-off problems.

Try cleaning your pad, then working a smaller section than you have been and only make two passes in two directions and see if you have better luck.

[Ryan L.]

Re: M83 Question

I had the same problem and it did end up that I wasn't cleaning my pad often enough, like Mike said.

So give that a try and good luck!

[jezroj]

Re: M83 Question

When you are saying to clean after one or two applications of product are you talking a 2x2 area or a whole vehicle?

When you say clean your pad are you suggesting using a terry cloth and holding the pad on a slow speed over the towel while applying pressure or do you just mean to use a brush?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: M83 Question

When you are saying to clean after one or two applications of product are you talking a 2x2 area or a whole vehicle?

Say you're starting on the hood, you work a 2x2 area, work the product, wipe of the residue when you're done. Because your pad is dry when you start out, if you want to work the area again, go ahead and apply more product without cleaning and work the section again. If you're done with that section, then apply more product and work the next section.

Now that your pad is broken in, clean you pad and continue to work around the car. After you work a section, or two, after wiping the residue off, take a moment to clean your pad before continuing around the car.

IF you think about it, cleaning your pad after each section or after two section would mean cleaning your pad a lot as you work around the car.

Most people don't clean their pads often enough. (Like once or twice for the entire car). It doesn't hurt to clean your pad often, it causes problems when you don't.

When you say clean your pad are you suggesting using a terry cloth and holding the pad on a slow speed over the towel while applying pressure or do you just mean to use a brush?

No, take a clean terry cloth towel and hold it against the face of the pad and push the towel into the wet pad. Do this on the 5.0 setting which should be the setting you're using to apply any cleaner/polish to remove defects.

When waxing it's not as much of a problem because waxing is fast and you only use a little wax as you go. (A little wax goes a long way because you only want a thin coat).

[Whelan]

Re: M83 Question

I used a small brush on mine after each panel was done. I also made sure to constantly switch between two microfiber towels and use different areas of them to wipe off the product.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: M83 Question

You're getting great advice here, Jonathan, so I'll just chime in and say that these very suggestions did the trick for me. I was having much the same issues as you when using M83 and was starting to dislike the product quite a bit. Now that I understand how to make the most of it, I'm doing just that and love the stuff.

[jezroj]

Re: M83 Question

I now understand why I was having a problem with 80 and 83. As ALWAYS thanks for the infocation that is information/education

[audioguy99]

Re: M83 Question

Yeah...thanks for that great info. I was beginning to wonder about it. I haven't had a chance to use it again yet, but I will. I'm sure I'll have better luck. It's a great product and I got great results, just had a little difficulty using it.

Thanks again!!

Jonathan

[ElectronMan]

Re: M83 Question

Holy Cow! #83 has the steepest learning curve out of all the products and boy does it gum up your pad in a hurry. The first time I used #83 over my Civic, I started having a hell of a time removing it, looked at my pad and it was soaked! I've found speed 5 works best for me, with very slow arm speed, and a minimal amount of product. However, once you get it figured out, it'll eat up all the little nasties in your paint and make your car look new again.

[SilverS2k]

Re: M83 Question

How much 83 are you squirting on the pad for best results? Will a 1/2 pad "x" work or should I do a full pad "x"?

[Whelan]

Re: M83 Question

I usually did about a 1/2 inch from the edge of the pad to prevent excess splatter. Worked well for me. Plus once you get the pad coated in product after a few passes, you may not need as much of an X to get coverage.