Hand Polishing Dust Speckles -- What Pad & Process?

[catalytic]

Hi all,

I have a clear epoxy-based topcoat that got some raised dust speckles and orange peel. I am planning to knock down the raised speckles with 1200 unigrit, then polish it by hand with Meguiars 105 followed by 205. I'm curious what applicator pads you guys would recommend, and also if you have any suggestions on the products or technique.

Thanks,
Adam

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hand Polishing Dust Speckles -- What Pad & Process?

Apologies for having missed this post originally.

If you're talking dirt nibs in fresh paint then you really want to concentrate on working just that very small area so as to avoid having to buff out a larger area than necessary. If you plan on working by hand only then you might want to follow that 1200 grit with something finer before trying to rub it out - 1200 grit could prove to be quite a challenge when working by hand.

You want to stick with a foam applicator pad with both M105 and M205, with one possible exception: if you find you're really struggling to get the sanding marks by hand with a foam pad, switch to terry cloth. That will give you some extra bite but will likely haze the paint in the process. You will most likely need to follow that with some M105 on a foam pad to remove the haze from the terry, then finish off with some M205.