Finally purchased a DA polisher!

[Top Gear]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Congrats, Eldorado. I've never looked back after I got my DA last year. Can't believe all the time I'd previously wasted hand-waxing.

I'm also wondering about that UC step. My paint/clear is hard enough to need many, many passes, yet still shows spiderwebs as if I'd done nothing. At first, when I got the DA, I was totally paranoid of doing damage, but now I've realized UC (on this paint, anyway) is just too weak. UC also dries up so fast it's really a pain to get a great compounding job done, as I'll have to do a small patch, use detailer to clean it off (thus possibly creating more swirls), then make another pass. It's maddening. I've tried ScratchX instead and cannot tell the difference, so it's probably time to try M105 or even M04??

With UP, I've been very, very pleased, though. Has anyone compared UP and M205 or other pro-line alternatives??

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Congrats, Eldorado. I've never looked back after I got my DA last year. Can't believe all the time I'd previously wasted hand-waxing.

I'm also wondering about that UC step. My paint/clear is hard enough to need many, many passes, yet still shows spiderwebs as if I'd done nothing. At first, when I got the DA, I was totally paranoid of doing damage, but now I've realized UC (on this paint, anyway) is just too weak. UC also dries up so fast it's really a pain to get a great compounding job done, as I'll have to do a small patch, use detailer to clean it off (thus possibly creating more swirls), then make another pass. It's maddening. I've tried ScratchX instead and cannot tell the difference, so it's probably time to try M105 or even M04??

With UP, I've been very, very pleased, though. Has anyone compared UP and M205 or other pro-line alternatives??

My first question is what type of pad are you using with UC. M105 is more aggressive but if you think UC dries fast then you will get frustrated with M105 as it dries even faster. Sounds like you are either using too much product, over working the area or working on to large of an area. I recommend you work in smaller area's. Could also be the environment you are working in. It's not a bad idea to try M105 out but if your car really has hard clear then I would just go with D300 + MF cutting pad. Then follow up with either UP or M205 on a foam polishing pad to refine the finish.

UP is derived from M205. I like both but my go to is M205. It's so versatile and it gives me more correcting ability and it finishes so nice. UP to me has more polishing oils and offers good correcting ability. If you are happy with it then stick with it. If you are curious to try something new then I say give M205 a shot. You will be amazed.

[davey g-force]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

My first question is what type of pad are you using with UC. M105 is more aggressive but if you think UC dries fast then you will get frustrated with M105 as it dries even faster. Sounds like you are either using too much product, over working the area or working on to large of an area. I recommend you work in smaller area's. Could also be the environment you are working in. It's not a bad idea to try M105 out but if your car really has hard clear then I would just go with D300 + MF cutting pad. Then follow up with either UP or M205 on a foam polishing pad to refine the finish.

UP is derived from M205. I like both but my go to is M205. It's so versatile and it gives me more correcting ability and it finishes so nice. UP to me has more polishing oils and offers good correcting ability. If you are happy with it then stick with it. If you are curious to try something new then I say give M205 a shot. You will be amazed.

^^ I completely agree with all of this

[Eldorado2k]

@Top Gear. What kind of car did you experience that with? [the avatar pics are so small trying to view from my phone]
And if UC and swirl x wern't able to get your swirls out, what did?


Quik question about the correct amount of UC to use on the pad, if I remember correctly [from the 101 class] we applied a whole circle around the foam pad [sort of like a cherrio] and made slow passes using moderate pressure on 2x2" or so area. Is it right to use that much UC? Or should one be applying 3 pea sized dots to the pad per area/pass.
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, and I'm not trying to second guess.. I honestly don't remember, that's all.

[KBzPTGT]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Answering a ? with a ?
Is it a circle or X pattern to prime on inital pass. Then pea sized dots on the next pass(es).

[davey g-force]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Either a circle, or an X pattern to prime (personal preference). Then 3 pea sized dots thereafter...

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

This has some good info. I distribute product with my finger on the pad to prime it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html

[Top Gear]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Sorry guys, I've posted in other threads and forgot to mention it here directly (despite the details being in my sig below), I'm using the Mirror Glaze Soft Buff 6.5" pads on a black Hyundai Genesis Coupe (see my gallery and "First Correction" thread for more detail, linked below).

So, I'm using the burgundy cutting pad with UC/ScratchX, usually on the PC DA setting 4, with at least medium pressure (holding the unit to the paint, but not necessarily pressing down hard). I'm pretty sure I'm not using too much or too little product, and I'm not working too large an area. I've followed the instructional videos and tips on this site, but also vary these settings, to no avail. Now, the burgundy/UC combo works fine for a basic post-clay correction step on surfaces with no major defects, but for deeper scratches or oddly deep spiderwebs or other defects, it's ineffective, even after multiple passes.

Hope that helps.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Appreciate all the tips, tricks and encouragement in this forum.

I'm in the market for a DA orbiter.

As posted elsewhere the DD is a 2013 Accent, silver with environmental challenges.

What would the group suggest as a first DA orbiter, and what pads/chems would you recommend?

I will most likely continue to use the auto wash but correct with the DA orbiter and 205 (based on the work done by the Gilbert AZ crew--amazing!).

Thoughts/suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,

bdd

[goldenlight]

I will say the hydro tech pads wear out quickly especially tangerines and the cyan pad. Red foam finishing pad seems to last a while.

I mainly used the tangerine pad for polishing the family fleet of vehicles (4 cars). This was the reason for the switch to CCS smatpads

For CCS smartpads I would start with

1 x orange pad
3 x white polishing pads
2 x black finishing pads

For compounds I reccomend ultimate compound
Polishing reccomend m205. Ultimate polish is OK it just that m205 has more versatility.
Waxing I reccomend your favorite wax.

[Jarhead0754]

Top gear..... u shouldn't be using a red/ burgundy pad with a da. Only yellow polishing and black finishing pads

[Top Gear]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Well, there are a LOT of DA pads to choose from. What I have are the Meg's Mirror Glaze Soft Buff 6.5" pads (circa 2013), a cutting pad which is burgundy, a polishing pad which is yellow, and a finishing pad which is beige. With these, I use UC, UP and GC. I think you're referring to a different line of pads??

[jaymz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Screw the M105; it's a PITA compared to M101, which is GREAT stuff. M105 works, but it's a hassle, whereas M101 is foolproof. I use it on an orange LC pad or a Yellow one if the paint is really hosed up. I think it finishes out beautifully, and follow it up with M205 or Ult. Polish on a white pad. I finish up with Blackfire Wet Diamond and Wet Glaze 2.0. That's all you need to know.

Jim

[Eldorado2k]

Thanks for the advice Jim.^ But after buying my new extension cord last night, and finally placing my order on the Geek early this morning for my 5" backing plate & 6pk. of LC 5.5" flat pads, I'm pretty much all systems ready to go with the UC/UP combo.
My swirls aren't too bad with the exception of the hood.

[I bought 2 Orange, 3 White, 1 Black & bought a Blue finessing pad just to make sure I'm not missing out on anything]

[Top Gear]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

I think you'll be fine, Eldorado. In fact, I think you'll be so blown away by the results you won't remember all the pain of trying to figure out what to buy

I've also considered M105/205, but the drawbacks and high cost outweigh the supposed benefits, which seem to boil down to "well, this one is the professional line version, dude". Meh.