Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

[BlackScreaminMachine]

I just my buffer yesterday. It came with the 7" Velcro Backing Plate and 2 wool style pads but I need some foam pad recommondations.

I am also looking for what chemicals to buy to getting either a rough paint clean or taking swirls out.

Having already read the sticky, I need some expert recommondations as well.

Figuring on using the Meg's M105/M205 Combo to get a car more or less correct but then taking the final swirs out, is M105 too rough or should I use something less harsh for the final pass?

So basically what Chemicals, What Pad combos for the most common situations you have seen. What would you do?

[Shawn T.]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

Rotary buffinh is a whole new ball game as you know. I won't speculate on the processes as I only have experience with my G110v2. However, I wouldn't start with M105 unless the car was really thrashed and nothing else worked.

Good luck!

[FRS]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

Woow, 10 Amps .. must be a very strong motor in there.

G110 has 4.2 Amps, btw.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

What are you looking to accomplish with this tool? What experience level do you have with a rotary or with a D/A? What made you choose this over a D/A buffer?

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

If you've never use a rotary before, your next investment should be a hood from the salvage yard to practice on.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

Looking to accomplish paint correction from some deeper scratches, major paint correction or just simple swirl removal. I have used this buffer before and got to practice the technique but now I am gathering my own supplies and there are quite a few different companies out there and chemicals.

I had my exp with Ardex stuff but that I got through my brother's dealership.

I will have some junk yard peices to work on but just need general good combos of pads and chemicals to start with.

Catagories I expect to see:

Major to Minor Swirl Removal
Random Deep Scratch Removal
Paint Transfer (from a object or other car)
Etching or Staining be it acid rain, bird droping, or hard water spots
Fixing previous buffer damage from another person.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

Looking to accomplish paint correction from some deeper scratches, major paint correction or just simple swirl removal. I have used this buffer before and got to practice the technique but now I am gathering my own supplies and there are quite a few different companies out there and chemicals.

Gotcha. We just always like to check these things as too many people have just jumped head first into rotary buffing and then come on the forum trying to figure out what went wrong. We don't mind helping people fix issues, but we'd rather they avoid them in the first place.

For the heaviest defect correction you'll want a wool pad. Our W5000 double sided wool pad is our most aggressive, but our WWHC7 (burgundy wool from the So1o line) and WWLC7 (yellow wool from the So1o line) are progressively less aggressive and certainly have their place since paint systems can and do vary so widely. Obviously a range of foam pads, from cutting to finishing, are a necessity for detailing. And don't forget the backing plate. Our W68 is designed specifically to work with the Soft Buff 2.0 foam pads - it fits perfectly in the recess on the back of these pads, making centering a breeze, plus it offers good flexible support at the out reaches of the pad. When using one of the So1o wool pads it's often a good idea to go with the backing plate from that line as well. It's a softer foam interface than can soften the blow, so to speak, when using a wool pad (or any pad for that matter) and can really impact the effectiveness of the process.

As for liquids to choose from, M105 and M205 are going to be big players for you. But in some cases you may find M105 to not be the perfect choice so having some alternatives on hand is critical. M86 So1o is often a great alternative liquid when the paint just doesn't want to respond to M105. M86 tends to be more oily so if the paint is badly dried out it may help you quite a bit. We've seen some cases with very dry paint where M105 just gummed up - it's rare, but if you come across a car like this and you don't have an option to fall back on, you're in deep trouble. Old standbys like M80 and M83 are good to keep around too.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

^ I hear yea and definitly. I think at the beginning it would have been good to start with a Dual Orbital for the learning curve aspect but I think based on all my hobbies that I would out grow that unit and get either fustrated or bored with the length of time needed to get the same/similar results with a rotary.

When it comes to this type of work, I do expect to be doing side jobs and work on other people's cars and speed will be a factor. My wash/clay/and 3 step process often takes 4 hrs, so I do not need to be buffing on a DA more time then needed.

So far from what i have read that I should have on hand....

M105/M205
M80/M83 (for other situations)

Doing a test spot with the least aggressive product/pad to achieve maximum results. That if I use a harsher product, that it needs to be followed up with a finishing product like M205.

At this point I am not going to do the Solo system so pad choice is next on the list.

Thanks for all the help so far!

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

My wash/clay/and 3 step process often takes 4 hrs, so I do not need to be buffing on a DA more time then needed.

Even with a rotary you would be tremendously hard pressed to complete a wash, clay and 3 step (I assume Polish, Polish and Seal) in 4 hours.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

My mistake, Washing was going to be included since it gets everything where it needs to be for the 2nd half of the Job.

What I use for the 3 step was Meg's M07 Show Car Glaze, NXT 2.0, and lastly topped with M26 Hi-tech Yellow Wax.

I am giving myself time to allow some curing persay as well between layers if that can be said as well. My typical detail job entails virtually no paint correct as I do not have the equipment and I refuse to do by had swirl removal. I did some cars recently from start to finish 4 hours. Some things time wise will be shaved and I will have to add a extra wash here and there but over all I always look at a job where the car will need to be looked at like it needs everything.

The cars I have done with the Showcar, NXT, and Hi-tech will need to be redone as I remove swirls all those layers of protection is gone too.

If that makes sense. I want to make a job enjoyable and not a 24 hour Plus session.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

I understand.

Without doing correction jobs certainly can be finished much quicker, but you easily get into the realm of 7-12 hours when you start doing multiple levels of correction and then topping it with a sealant and then wax.

I would suggest that when you are detailing you not concern yourself as much with the time aspect as you do with the quality aspect. When you are trying to rush is when you make mistakes, and mistakes with a rotary can be bad.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

When it comes to this type of work, I do expect to be doing side jobs and work on other people's cars and speed will be a factor. My wash/clay/and 3 step process often takes 4 hrs, so I do not need to be buffing on a DA more time then needed.

There are times when a D/A will actually be faster than a rotary, depending on the type of defects, the workability of the paint, the customer's expectations, etc.

Even with a rotary you would be tremendously hard pressed to complete a wash, clay and 3 step (I assume Polish, Polish and Seal) in 4 hours.

Agreed - that's working awfully fast with a rotary to finish out swirl free.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Need some Recommondations Just got my BUFFER!!

The 4 hours like said with my typical time spent from start to finish with out any correction. IF the customer does not desire correction then I wont need worry myself. BUT for those who want the full detail, not having the buffer was going to hinder my efforts.

I have done some searching on my own as I finally found some pads for sale for the 7" Hook/Loop backing plate which I got with the buffer and she should do fine.

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-soft-buff-8in-pads-6.html

I suspect in MOST cases that I will be using M205 with Yellow Foam or Beige after test spots are done.