PC on my van today

ghlavaty · 05-01-03, 01:28

Today was the first time I used my PC on my 2 1/2 year old black dodge van. I have owned the van since new and have never used a machine on it prior to today. I tried 3M SMR first w/white pad then yellow. I did not like the results so I switched to FI-II w/yellow pad (a clean one). I worked the FI in small areas for what seemed like an eternity, until it became gummy and I started to see a shine peek thru. When I tried to wipe residue off w/MF it, of course was a PITA to wipe off. For some reason I switched to a white pad and couldn't believe what happened! The FI worked much better, less swirl marks, and the residue wiped off very easily. I didn't work it in as much either, atleast half as long with the yellow pad. Was I working it too long with the yellow pad?

Also, both of the pads were as gray/black as a finishing pad or darker. Again, this is the first time a machine has touched the paint since I bought the vehicle new (but who knows what the dealer did to it). So does that mean my clearcoat is toast? If so, what happened to it? Who took it? I want it back!!

EDIT: I did clay prior to using PC and I only worked a small area w/SMR befor switching to FI-II so the SMR pad didn't have a chance to gunk up like the FI pads.
Your comments are appreciated.

edschwab1 · 05-01-03, 01:59

The change in pad color is probably due to one of the following reasons:
1. Removal of bonded contaminates
2. Use of dark colored polish

What has been done detail wise to van in the past?
Did you clay the van?

Eric

paco · 05-01-03, 02:01

Dark pads were most likely a result of the product (SMR especially) than paint coming off. With a car as new as that, the odds of having the clear completely removed (especially as most people don't detail Dodge vans) by wetsanding etc. is extremely unlikely. I wouldn't worry abou it.

FI-2 can be a PITA to work with on a PC. I know the feeling.

TortoiseAWD · 05-01-03, 06:29

ghlavaty,

I haven't tried FI-II with a white pad, but in my experience using it with a yellow pad, you need to keep working through the gummy stage until the polish is almost completely gone. Typically, the residue begins to dust up a bit at that point, but nothing terrible. If you work FI-II completely, what little residue remains will wipe off without too much effort; if I try to wipe and it's still gummy/sticky, I put the buffer back on it for another 30 seconds to a minute, then try again. (YMMV, but it's worked for me.)

I'll have to give FI-II a try with a white pad someday. I have most of a quart left that I haven't been using since I discovered 3M Machine Glaze . . . like paco said, FI-II can be a real pain with a PC.

Tort

bretfraz · 05-01-03, 07:24

Agree with Tort. When the FI2 got gummy you should have cranked up the speed, backed off the pressure, and let the pad and the product do the work. I can't explain why FI2 worked better with the white pad, I wasn't there watching so it may have been various factors. But don't forget to fully work in any polish you use in order to get the best results.

CharlesW · 05-01-03, 07:46

Quote:

Originally posted by bretfraz
But don't forget to fully work in any polish you use in order to get the best results.

Bret and others:
Do you consider AIO or SEC to be in the polish, (to be worked in), class or the cleaner, (apply, wipe off), class.

Charles

TortoiseAWD · 05-01-03, 09:04

Quote:

Originally posted by CharlesW
Bret and others:
Do you consider AIO or SEC to be in the polish, (to be worked in), class or the cleaner, (apply, wipe off), class.

Charles

I work SEC in pretty completely when I use it . . .

Tort