DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

[GrossmeisterB]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

I first used D300, then D301. So the first shot I showed is after using D300 (on Microfiber cutting discs) AND D301 (on Microfiber finishing discs).
And yes, the 2nd shot is not from me, it's from a German forum where someone used a stronger machine at full speed and lot of pressure.
The Elise is small, but it takes quite some time, due to all the "edges" and roundings. There's barely any "flat" surfe to work on. Which makes it a little bit more difficult.
But I will try it again with more speed and more pressure.

[Top Gear]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Welcome to MOL, GrossmeisterB! Very recently, I upgraded from the thick foam pads and Ultimate and Gold Class products to the DAMF system, and I truly do have extremely hard black paint. I'm very pleased with DAMF. Here's the development thread: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...-for-PC-7436SP

Now, the videos are a guide, not necessarily a literal recipe for every kitchen. As you get comfortable with the setup, don't be afraid to get more aggressive if you're not seeing results, or less, if you're getting them more easily.

However, the linked shot you first posted shows a very decent cut across the middle based on your description of one "pass", so if that's right, your paint must not be very hard at all, very soft. I couldn't possibly get that much correction with a single pass/load using the Cutting/D302 combo! Also, if you think you're getting pad separation from one "pass", I just don't know how. The MF pads are pretty tough. If I understand you, the second shot you posted is not yours, but an example shot of pad separation?? Fear not.

So, unless I've missed something, I'd say your paint is way softer than mine to get that much cut using non-abrasive D302 polish, even given the Cutting disc, at such low speed. Did I miss something? Perhaps if you use D300 Cutting Compound on the Cutting disc, you might have all the power you'll ever need on that paint for deeper defects with little effort. Follow with D302 on either disc, then the Finishing/D301, of course.

To give you an idea of how much harder my paint is, using a Porter Cable I've had to go to full speed with heavy pressure using an Xtra Cut disc with D300, and I've STILL had to do many series of passes/loads to see depth of results you got in one pass of Cutting/D302. I've had to do as many as 8 sets/passes of product reload on some panels, just for cutting alone, and you got similar results with one pass of polish?? I wouldn't complain. Here's the hard paint combo I've settled on, generally, for a full correction (which I don't recommend for yours):

- MF Xtra Cut/D300, Speed 5-6/max, 4-8 passes/loads as needed
- MF Cutting/D302, Speed 4-5, slower passes as needed
- MF Finishing/D301, Speed 3-4, slow application
(~15-20 hours of work)

Based on the OP photo and your description, I'd say you won't need to work that hard by a long shot! Consequently, it looks like you need to be a lot more careful than I do.

I'll also say, be sure to adjust the speed and pressure so that the pad is oscillating and rotating as smoothly as possible without bouncing or vibrating wildly, and slow arm movement is best, very slow for polishing. You may be able to get away without any compounding, but I'd get some D300 just to make it easier and to get a good clean cut. You should be able to correct a small car like the Elise in 4 hours or less, by comparison.

[cfilly]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Thanks for all your help everyone!
I will try it with a little more speed, more pressure, slower arm speed.
Sure, not all scratches can be removed, but with the method I tried, I got hardly any defect removal.

So, is it "safe" to use M105 or M205 with the microfiber cutting pads?

Yes, it is safe to use 105 & 205 with the microfiber discs.

[GrossmeisterB]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

It's not that it's the first time I polish a car with the DA machine.
But I used foam pads and other polishes, so I was curious what has gone wrong this time.
As I have only very good results with all Meguiars products, I was really surprised. So I knew it was just a matter of how it's done.
But now I know where the problem might have been and will test it with the hints from here.
I'm sure I'll get a much better result the next time

[Jarhead0754]

If u can't feel the scratch with ur fingernail then more than likely u can remove it or at least make it so unnoticeable that it looks like it's gone. But listen to these guys as they really know what they're talking about! Davey, guz, just to point out a few, oh and God himself mr stoops!

[GrossmeisterB]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Thanks for all your help everyone!
I will try it with a little more speed, more pressure, slower arm speed.
Sure, not all scratches can be removed, but with the method I tried, I got hardly any defect removal.

So, is it "safe" to use M105 or M205 with the microfiber cutting pads?

[The Guz]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Your paint could be on the very hard side. I agree with trying out M105 and see if that makes a dent.

[Firehouse Mike]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Well it sounds like you are doing all the right things. I would recommend also turning up your speed, increasing down pressure and slowing arm movements. It could be the paint is just rock hard or you may need to move to a more aggressive compound ( M105 ) followed by M205 to get your desired results. Remember not ALL defects can be removed, some may be deep enough they need wet sanded. Good Luck

[stephensdetail]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Turn the speed up a little. Don't be afraid. Distributor let me play with the mt300 and the MF system last week. And well I turned it up to right before all the way up. Which I believe is like 6800 opm. Did not damage to car or the pad.

[davey g-force]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

You should clean the pad after every section. Not sure if that's what the problem was, but it would have contributed.

How large of an area were you working on at once?

[GrossmeisterB]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Thanks for all your input an help.
I used the D300 correction compound with the Microfiber cutting discs.
The Autogeek-Videos was exactly the one that I was watching.
I primed the pad as shown in the video. I used a brush to clean the pad after every 2 sections. After about half of the car was done, I started with a new/clean pad and primed it in as before.
I set the machine speed to "4", as this equals about 4500 opm, which is recommended by Meguiars.
I am a bit afraid of increasing speed and pressure, because I saw pictures elsewhere, where the microfiber went off the foam pad undearneath when applying too much pressure at a higher speed:



So, any more ideas?
I read all the good references, and that's why I spent the money on the Microfiber system...

[The Guz]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

Curious to hear what you actually used.

Good reference on the DAMF system.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?47855-Using-Meguiar-s-D-A-Microfiber-Correction-System

[davey g-force]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

[Firehouse Mike]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

When you say "polish", what product are you using exactly?

If it's the DAMF finishing polish (D302), that's a very mild product and will not do much defect removal.

*EDIT* Mike beat me to it!

Just shows that great minds think alike!!

[davey g-force]

Re: DA Microfiber correction system - poor perfomance, no defect removal

When you say "polish", what product are you using exactly?

If it's the DAMF finishing polish (D302), that's a very mild product and will not do much defect removal.

*EDIT* Mike beat me to it!