Please convince me that there's still hope

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

W3rd.
I hate those d@mn things...

I sent mine back to AG, I just never used em.

?!?

Come on they must have been doing something wrong...I was surprised to see the names of some of the guys that had their pads smoke. Some were very well respected pros that know their stuff. The orange LC foam pad developed a "don't use with SIP" reputation last summer.

SIP is my workhorse!Same here. It is my go-to polish on *every* detail. Maybe I'm just so used to this polish that it's become what I base practically everything else on, but I don't ever have problems unless its...

-Really humid (just close the garage door)
-Way too cold (35-ish F?)
-Silicone beneath it(this is the worst of all, hopping and huge gummy mess)
-Too much polish or gummed up pad (watch out for this!)

I have fallen in love with the stuff, if worked properly can finish down to an LSP-ready finish. It works fast without holograms, and of course with minimal effort.
IMHO my absolute favorite polish ever made. Add me as another "me too" on this, as well, but with the "medium polish category" qualifier, as my new heavyweight favorite is a tie between M105 and M95.

And here's a few characters to make the ten char limit....

[Accumulator]

I've been able to correct Audi clear with the rotary and orange pads and the old 3M PI-III RC 05933 (somebody here can probably give other products that're equivalent, HT-EC comes to mind or the newer 3M PI-3000 RC). Light marring came out OK with polishing pads using 3M PI-III MG 05937 (OP oughta work or HT Light Cut). That was with speeds not over 1500.

For really nasty marring, the 3M Extra Cut 05936 did the job, and their new PI-3000 Extra Cut should perform similarly. But expect some significant hazing.

Limited experience indicates that 1Z Intensive oughta work for major correction and 1Z High Gloss should work OK for a follow up. Note that these are both low-RPM-(whne used by rotary) products that should be very safe for a beginner; I'd probably recommend those over anything else currenty on the market (but I have far more experience with the 3M stuff, hence the qualifiers).

Preliminary testing also made it obvious that the LC Purple Foamed Wool pads are *MUCH* safer *and* more effective than orange/yellow foam cutting pads. This is a no-brainer. Don't worry if they leave hazing, a mild-foam-pad follow-up will take care of that.

If I had to buy stuff to correct our Audis, I'd get the two 1Z polishes, some LC PFW pads, and I'd do the aggressive correction via rotary. Then I'd switch to the PC (or in my case the Cyclo) for the follow-up work (a pass with the 1Z Intensive to remove the PFW's hazing and then maybe two-three passes with the 1Z HG).

[Gopher]

I was in the exact same position as you! A PC owner using a Makita for the first time a couple weeks ago on an Acura (with a bit of body work and I believe respray prior to my mom owning). I could barely dent it with a rotary + IP + yellow pads. Spent all day and gave up depressed--finally worked on finishing/lsp.

I think I had built up a rotary as being God in my mind, but a lot of skill is definitely required.

When I give it a second try in the near future, I'm stepping up to some m105 on a white pad and if that still doesn't dent it I'm taking Bee's advice and picking up some purple foamed wool.

Its funny... I feel like I accomplished more last year with my PC on that car.

[landcruiser]

Maybe veering a bit off topic, but another product I like and that seems to (I stress the word "seems") work within the cutting range of SIP is Prima Swirl. I get about the same working time with it as I do with SIP and hardly any dusting. I then finish with Menz 106 or 85RD.

But, I'm a very loyal fan of Menz SIP. Just had some Prima and wanted to use it and compare to Menz.

HTH

[scholar]

Originally Posted by Gopher

I was in the exact same position as you! A PC owner using a Makita for the first time a couple weeks ago on an Acura (with a bit of body work and I believe respray prior to my mom owning). I could barely dent it with a rotary + IP + yellow pads. Spent all day and gave up depressed--finally worked on finishing/lsp.

I think I had built up a rotary as being God in my mind, but a lot of skill is definitely required.

When I give it a second try in the near future, I'm stepping up to some m105 on a white pad and if that still doesn't dent it I'm taking Bee's advice and picking up some purple foamed wool.

Its funny... I feel like I accomplished more last year with my PC on that car.

Gopher, exactly my thoughts

[scholar]

thanks guys.

Accumulator, I won't be using 1Z (not being stubborn, just being cheap). I will have some SIP (from a buddy). I also have 106ff and 85RD. i'm just confused with doing another step with SIP/White Pad (or polishing pad). won't the 106/white take care of that?

thanks

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Gopher

When I give it a second try in the near future, I'm stepping up to some m105 on a white pad and if that still doesn't dent it I'm taking Bee's advice and picking up some purple foamed wool..

I'd try the PFW before the more aggressive compound, but that's just me. They are just *so* safe and they really do ratchet the cut up quite a bit.

I also have 106ff and 85RD. i'm just confused with doing another step with SIP/White Pad (or polishing pad). won't the 106/white take care of that?

I'm not that familiar with the Menzerna stuff, only know from having my Denali done by a member here who used it. I think *I* would consider doing the SIP/white step.

Also, be careful with the 106FF; do a PrepSol wipe or you might have holograms appear out of nowhere weeks/months down the road; what'll happen is you finish the rotary work, give it a pass with the PC/106FF, think things are fine, and then one day much later... *zap* "OMG Where did *those* come from?"

[gregk]

About four years ago, I was in the same boat as a few of you when I first starting using the rotary. I used too much product and it would sling all over and the compounds at the time made lots of hazing that took a lot of polishing to bring back the shine. I would only use the rotary on larger scratches and my pc would be used on the full car. Now wtih purple wool pads, M105, HTEC and SIP polishes/compounds that finish much better, it is very easy for a rotary beginner to get great results quickly. Just be careful of going too fast(1500 rpm or below), using too much product and you will find that the rotary will cut your time by at least 50%.

For the last 3 years or so, I use my rotary for compounding and polishing and only apply cleaner waxes and sealants with the PC. Sometimes I even do that with the rotary! One person asked if they could use SIP with a white pad and I would say yes as I often use a white pads with stronger polishes when doing one step jobs. Finish with M66 or Poliseal and you have a killer one step.

Good luck and don't give up on the rotary!

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by Gopher

I was in the exact same position as you! A PC owner using a Makita for the first time a couple weeks ago on an Acura (with a bit of body work and I believe respray prior to my mom owning). I could barely dent it with a rotary + IP + yellow pads. Spent all day and gave up depressed--finally worked on finishing/lsp.

I think I had built up a rotary as being God in my mind, but a lot of skill is definitely required.

When I give it a second try in the near future, I'm stepping up to some m105 on a white pad and if that still doesn't dent it I'm taking Bee's advice and picking up some purple foamed wool.

Its funny... I feel like I accomplished more last year with my PC on that car.

Gopher, the M105 on a white LC pad will definitely give you a *huge* amount of correction, but as Accumulator said, it's much safer to try the PFW and the IP first. Then if you still need to use the 105, use the PFW. PFW is easier to use with 105, and it finishes down really well. You'd get somewhat of a better finish with the white foam, but the PFW is so much easier and safer to use I'd chose it over the foam.

[Gopher]

Originally Posted by SuperBee364

Gopher, the M105 on a white LC pad will definitely give you a *huge* amount of correction, but as Accumulator said, it's much safer to try the PFW and the IP first. Then if you still need to use the 105, use the PFW. PFW is easier to use with 105, and it finishes down really well. You'd get somewhat of a better finish with the white foam, but the PFW is so much easier and safer to use I'd chose it over the foam.

Sigh... M95 sample, 3 pack PFW, and some misc. items on the way....

This hobby is getting expensive!

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Gopher

Sigh... M95 sample, 3 pack PFW, and some misc. items on the way....

This hobby is getting expensive!

Not as expensive as paintwork So go easy with that M95.