Applying product with a foam applicator

[MichaelM]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there are any downsides to applying product with a foam applicator as opposed to laying the product directly on the paint and picking it up with the buffer pad?

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Applying product with a foam applicator

Originally posted by MichaelM
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there are any downsides to applying product with a foam applicator as opposed to laying the product directly on the paint and picking it up with the buffer pad?

Thanks!

Hi Michael,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

With the G-100 Dual Action Polisher, applying it directly to the foam pad can help prevent splatter. If you want to apply it to your car's finish first, then remember to tilt your buffer a little so that one side of the foam pad lifts into the air a little to pull your product under the foam. After you brought your product under your foam pad the begin buffing flat again. (you foam pad completely in contact with the surface). If you run the edge, or side of your foam pad into the product you have applied to the surface, it will tend to splatter it all over the place, thus the reason tilt your polisher when picking up new product.

With a Rotary Buffer, the best technique to use it to learn how to pick up a bead or strip of product while you're buffing. You can learn how to do this by watching our video, To Purchase the PES101V, click the below link,

"How to remove paint defects"

Some people like to pour out some product and then smear it around with the pad and then turn their rotary buffer on, this tends to throw splatter however.

With an old school style, Orbital Buffer, you can use the same techniques listed for the Dual Action Polisher.

When working by hand you can apply either directly to your applicator pad or onto the finish.

Does this answer your question?

Mike

[MichaelM]

Thank you for the prompt reply Mr. Phillips.

What I meant (should have been more clear) was applying the product to the paint using one of your "Hi-tech Applicator pads", spreading the product around the area you want to buff, then proceeding to use the rotary. I am curious to see what the differences are that you see between that method and the method you mention of picking up a bead of product.

I've seen and used both methods with success but would like to get another opinion. Looking to perfect my process...

Great forum BTW! It's great to see a manufacturer offer this level of support and guidance. I don't post much (obviously) but I do read the forums quite frequently.

Thanks again!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by MichaelM
What I meant (should have been more clear) was applying the product to the paint using one of your "Hi-tech Applicator pads", spreading the product around the area you want to buff, then proceeding to use the rotary. I am curious to see what the differences are that you see between that method and the method you mention of picking up a bead of product.

I've seen and used both methods with success but would like to get another opinion. Looking to perfect my process...

Thank you for the kind words on the forum, there are a lot of very nice people that call this forum their home and help in many ways.

As to your questions,

Using a High-Tech Applicator Pad tor first spread your product out over the area to be worked is an excellent method to use.



This method insures there is product down where your machine buffing and gives you precise control over product placement.

I use this method when machine compounding, cleaning and polishing with the rotary buffer on thin panels like pillars in the example below.



I'll often pour out a thin strip of the product I 'm using on the pillar and then spread it around with my fingers, wipe my fingers off and then begin buffing, but using an applicator pad would definitely look more professional and be less messy.

As far as any differences, I think the only differences a person would ever see between applying product and spreading it out first versus picking up a bead, or strip of product would be in time savings. Most experienced professionals and production oriented workers will lay down a strip of product, pick it up with their pad and begin working the product versus two-stepping.

Hope this helps...

Mike

[Buellwinkle]

I understand what you are trying to do but it seems like it would be a slow tedious process. I hate putting the polisher down because inevitably, in haste the pad is going to touch the floor and become contaminated.

The method I use is to put a blob, about the size of 2-3 quarters stacked, then turn the buffer on only after you press the pad to the car and quickly fan it out into the area you want to buff, about the 1/4 of hood in size. I've used the line picking up method with large wool pads that are flexible but I don't think you should tilt a foam pad, even for a short while to pick up a line of polish, you risk make a swirl with the edge and you risk splatter. Also, there's a brand of foam pads that has a concave polishing surface that is supposed to mitigate the splatter problem.

[MichaelM]

Thank you both for your input, very helpful.

When I use this method I do not put the buffer down but hold it with my left hand while I apply product to the applicator with my right. Then I proceed to apply the product to the paint also using my right hand, put the pad down and go to town. It really isn't that much more time consuming.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Though I prefer picking up the strip of product with the pad from the finish, as Mike points out applying the product with an applicator does work great as well!! It becomes more of a personal preference.

Tim