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MT300 Over Uneven Surface

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  • #1

    MT300 Over Uneven Surface

    I just bought a MT300 and 3" and 5" MF finishing pads. I also bought MF applicator pads to use by hand.

    I've watched videos about using the MT300 as well as other DA polishers. However, all the videos demonstrate on flat surfaces; either the hood or door panel.

    I own a Honda Element. Here's a picture of one from the net: http://www.hondacolors.info/wp-conte...-Spd-MT-2.jpeg

    The roof has channels that are uneven, the door has a bevel near the bottom, the hood and fenders have contours.

    How do I use the MT300 on those surfaces?

    I know the videos instruct to keep the pad flat, but does all of the pad have to have contact with a surface?

    Also, would you use the MT300 around the front bumper cover of the vehicle or just do it by hand?

    I know I asked a lot of questions for one thread.

    I appreciate any suggestions.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

    Congrats on the new MT300! It's a fantastic tool and we know you're going to love it!

    Great questions on the finer points of technique when using a DA polisher as these are details that a lot of new users struggle with. Specific to the Honda Element you'll want to tape off all the black plastic trim before you start machine polishing. That will allow you to polish right up to and slightly over the edge of the paint without loading up that textured plastic with compound. It will take a few minutes to tape everything off, but it will save you many times that amount of time in potential clean up after the fact. With that out of the way, there really isn't much to worry about on what is essentially a big box. Some cars present a lot of tight curves, some a bunch of flat surfaces with a couple of sharper contours, and others a broad mix of compound curves, small tight areas, both chrome and plastic trim, etc. Most of this is pretty easy to over come, even though in some areas the pad won't stay 100% in contact with the paint. On the hood of the Element, for example, there a couple of body lines running from the area where the headlamps and grille are separated, up to the windshield. When using a DA polisher these are nothing to worry about - just pass right over them and you'll be fine. That's one of the huge benefits of the DA - it's big safety margin on these type of contours. You may notice that the pad stops spinning momentarily as pressure on the pad changes when moving over these features, but that's not really a big deal. The small flares above the wheel arches really aren't a problem either. You'll most likely run the pad over those following the arc of the wheel wells even though a large portion of the pad will be completely off the paint. Adjust your pressure and the pad angle to keep it parallel to the paint and it should still rotate.

    When flowing over convex curves you want to keep the center line of the pad in contact with the paint at all times. That will keep the pad spinning. Again on the Element, the section above the front fender that runs into the hood is exactly this sort of convex curve - and about the only real curves on this car! Keep the center line of the pad in contact as you roll the tool over this area and you'll be fine. The .gif below shows this technique - notice how the center of the pad is always touching the paint rather than allowing it to cantilever off the paint.


    Smaller areas, like bumper covers or tighter areas around the grille on the Element are often more easily addressed by switching to a 3" backing plate and smaller pads. We make a 3" backing plate and smaller pads that work great on the MT300.

    Check out our article on the basics of using a DA polisher. It was written before the MT300 was introduced so it shows our previous tool, the G110v2, but everything carries over directly from that tool to yours. Since you've also got our microfiber pads you might want to read through our article on using the DA Microfiber Correction System as there a few things you need to adjust when using that system, primarily the necessity for fully priming the pads as well as the very regular cleaning of the pads on the fly. Both of those are absolutely critical to success with that system.
    Michael Stoops
    Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

    Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

      I agree with Mike.

      Also, areas such as inside the channels in the roof would be better addressed by hand.
      Originally posted by Blueline
      I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

        Michael,
        Thank you for a very detailed reply. It is appreciated. I did purchase a 3" backing plate and pads.

        Davey,
        Thank you for your input too. That is a good suggestion. I wonder if I can use the 3" pad on the channels?

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

          If it fits, then sure!

          It may stop spinning easily though, due to the edges of the channels.
          Originally posted by Blueline
          I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

            The MT300 is a great machine. I have had no issues on curved surfaces with it. As Mike pointed out it's all about the angle.

            I agree with the smaller pad.
            99 Grand Prix
            02 Camaro SS

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

              I have the MF pads to use by hand. I should prime those the same way as with the DA pads, correct?

              I have the Meguiar's brush to clean the MF pads. Do I manually clean the pads or have the DA spin the pad and apply the brush?

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

                I've never heard of priming the pads for hand use. It can't hurt I guess...

                Yes, spin the pad and apply the brush. Although, if you have an air compressor, that would work better.
                Originally posted by Blueline
                I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

                  I'm back with an update. Sorry it took so long; life got in the way.

                  I washed, clayed, and taped off the black trim.

                  First up was the polishing stage. I knew being a first time user that there could/would be some challenges. I used a 5" MF finishing pad with D302 polish. It took me around two hours to polish and remove; which seems too long to me. I felt that I needed to constantly clean the MF pad; which really slowed me down.

                  I couldn't get a feel for whether or not I was using the correct amount of product. I had a difficult time removing the polish too. I also had some marks that I hoped polishing would remove, but it didn't. This could be unreasonable expectations or poor technique.

                  For the sealing part, I used a 5" MF finishing pad and D301 finishing wax. This step went pretty well. It took me about an hour to apply and remove. The wax came off fairly easily.

                  However, it takes me about same amount of time waxing by hand.

                  I'm very pleased with the end result. The car looked great. It seemed to stay looking great longer. The time involved was substantial and I'm hoping that I get more efficient the more I use the MT300.

                  How often should I polish? Should I clay every time before I polish?

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

                    Good news!

                    Your combo of MF finishing pad with D302, is very mild, so you can't expect it to remove many (if any) defects. 2 hours to polish + 1 hour to wax seems about right to me - if anything, it would take me longer to polish!

                    It's hard to say how often you should polish / clay. It's 'as needed' really. Most people do it once or twice per year. Do the baggie test to determine if you need to clay first, although if it's been 6 - 12 months, and it's a daily driver, you probably will.
                    Originally posted by Blueline
                    I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: MT300 Over Uneven Surface

                      D302 has little cut. The microfiber pad is doing more of the work. If the car was not maintained very well or just neglected, then I would imagine those defects to be deeper and would need a stronger combination. This is why the test spot with the least aggressive method is recommended.

                      Cleaning the MF pads is a must as is cleaning foam pads. It's just part of the process. Working clean = better results. As Kevin Brown would say, it's all about residue management. A compressor comes in handy if you are able to have one.

                      If you had a hard time removing the polish, you more than likely used too much or overworked the product. If you have not already done so, this thread is worth the read.

                      Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
                      http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?47855-Using-Meguiar-s-D-A-Microfiber-Correction-System
                      Discussion on Meguiar's Professional Mirror Glaze, Professional Detailer, PRO Hybrid Ceramic & Other.
                      99 Grand Prix
                      02 Camaro SS

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