Let's talk about "Total Cut"

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Garage Troll, can you feel any of these deeper scratches with your fingernail? If so, then the best you can generally expect is to perhaps minimize their appearance but you most likely won't get rid of them. If you can not feel them, however, then you should be able to eradicate them.

Starting with too slow a machine speed when defect correction is the aim generally just ends up with a poor result. If you're finding that a product like SwirlX is doing a great job on all but the most stubborn defects, then step up to Ultimate Compound but keep the machine at the same speed and use the same type of pad. Don't change multiple variables at one time as you won't get a true comparison of the two products.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

This is a great write up. So I guess when I get my Soft Buff 2.0 polishing pads I should try some M105 on the deeper clear coat scratches huh? They look like someone rubbed up against the side of the car before I owned it. It wouldn't be such a big deal but since the other side was repainted due to a kid hitting it with a bike it really looks off when looking at it with a flourescent (sic) light.

Would you guys suggest starting with a slower speed on my PC and lighter pressure and then stepping up to a faster speed and more pressure? I'm getting the feeling that that's the way to go.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Mike,

Thanks for the great post. Phillips used to mention all the time how it wasn't just the product, just the pressure, or just the pad that determined the outcome but a combination of all of those things. Your post demonstrated this very well and I can definitely save this to show to the next guy I encounter who's unclear about why he's not getting the results he wanted or expected while using a particular product.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Excellent write up Mike!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Your list from most to least aggressive is pretty much right on the money, but the colored pairs shown below would likely be so close in total cut as to be a wash - depending on the paint you may not notice much of anything between them. Again, this assumes equal speed and pressure.

UC/8207 >Swirlx/8207 > UC/9207 > 205/8207 > swirlx/9207 >205/9207

Consider, however, that you'll generally work a polishing pad with a bit more speed and pressure and you might want to reverse the order of the colored pairs. But again, you're kind of splitting hairs. You certainly don't need to do ALL of these steps, but we suspect you already understand that.

[xcfw]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Thanks Mike. Would it be possible for you to comment on this, to help me get a better epectataion of cut. And yes, I'm a consumer and a noob to boot, just trying to get my head around it....

What would be the total cut difference between the posssible combinations I have to work with this week. And just to make it an easier comparison lets assume equal speed and pressures (while acknowledging that they do have a big effect in themselves)

Products- UC, SwirlX and 205
Pads- 8207 and 9207 on a 110

UC/8207 would be the most cut obviously, and 205/9207 would be the least.
But what about the other 4 possible combos- where do they fall?

UC/8207 >Swirlx/8207 >UC/9207 >205/8207 >swirlx/9207 >205/9207 ??? Or how do they stack up/cut down?

TIA

[73corvette]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

I'm really surprised this hasn't gotten more replies...

This took a tremendous amount of meticulous research and work, and more importantly, it points out some very key concepts to paint correction that are often misunderstood, or missed completely by amateurs just getting started.

This is the type of guide that is worth getting printed out at Kinkos, laminated, and stuck in your detailing bag to stay with you where ever you go to detail.

Well done Mr. Stoops!

Mark
Truer words were never spoken, if were in this business that is just what I'd do.
Fact I'm not and I'm still going to do it.
Rich

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

I'm really surprised this hasn't gotten more replies...

This took a tremendous amount of meticulous research and work, and more importantly, it points out some very key concepts to paint correction that are often misunderstood, or missed completely by amateurs just getting started.

This is the type of guide that is worth getting printed out at Kinkos, laminated, and stuck in your detailing bag to stay with you where ever you go to detail.

Well done Mr. Stoops!

[irf@n]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Great guide!

[73corvette]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Michael,
I'm a consumer not a detailer, but I'll tell you in doing mt vette I am learning a lot why the good detailers get the big bucks and I am also gaining a lot of experience by doing this myself, who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks,lol. I would have never tried this if it weren't for this forum and all the knowledge and help that I've received from all the guys on this forum and I thank all you very much for the for the kind reception that I received here.
You guys are the BEST!

Rich

[Mikejl]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Mike,

Excellent chart! Very clear and nicely put together.

Mike

[Bunky]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Great chart !!!!!

[Hemin8r]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Great job putting this together Mike. This here really does give a good idea of how many variables there are.

[Dan Fisher]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

I Would not want to be the one to make that mistake with the small pads, high speed, heavy pressure!!! Outstanding article Mike, as already said one to keep for future referral !!!!!!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Let's talk about "Total Cut"

Another well thought-out, well written MOL thread for my saved links folder!

Thanks Mike!