Is it easier to mar the paint with a machine?

Guido · 12-30-05, 10:14

I used to put my zaino on by hand. Lately I've been doing it with a PC and one of the finishing pads that was recomended in another thread. I've found a few small micro scratches in the paint that are in an even loop design. I put the polish on between 5 and 6. Would spraying detailer on the pad help?

thanks

White95Max · 12-30-05, 10:41

I doubt a finishing pad would cause any marring. It's more likely that there was some dust on the pad/car or something. Or maybe the pad was used in the past with a polish, and the abrasives weren't completely broken down, leaving some abrasives in the pad?

White_F150 · 12-31-05, 03:23

When using any tool to apply product (hand applicator, PC pad, or rotary pad), make sure the pad is "primed" before it touches the paint. Using a QD will work "sometimes"... depending on the product being applied. I like to make sure the pad is fully primed with the product that I'm going to apply... whether it be a paint cleaner, polish, wax, or sealant.

Guido · 12-31-05, 07:30

yeah i figured it was dust on the pad or on the car but the pad is brand new, I put the z2 on and let it sit for 45 minutes and covered the pc w/ finishing pad with a plastic ziplock bag. How much more dust free can I get?

white f150- what do you mean prime the pad?

Accumulator · 12-31-05, 08:14

I can't see how *what's moving the pad around* could make a difference. Whether the machine moves it or your hand moves it, it's still just a matter of the pad contacting the paint. Must be either something between the pad and the paint or the pad being/becoming dry at some point. IMO the "loop design" of the marring almost guarantees that some contamination caused the problem.

But light sealants are one thing I prefer to do by hand anyhow, easier for me to get 'em on very thin.

White95Max · 12-31-05, 12:53

Priming the pad refers to using water, QD, or the product to get the pad moist before using it on the paint. The idea is that a dry part of the pad may cause marring on the paint. Also, with products like AIO, a light mist of water on the pad helps to spread it thin.

Mike-in-Orange · 12-31-05, 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido

I put the polish on between 5 and 6.

FWIW I apply waxes/sealants using my PC at a much slower speed, like 3, and just let the weight of the machine sit on the surface, if that even. I'm able to put a much thinner, more uniform layer on this way than I can by hand. I do prime the pad before hitting the paint.

Scottwax · 12-31-05, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Must be either something between the pad and the paint or the pad being/becoming dry at some point. IMO the "loop design" of the marring almost guarantees that some contamination caused the problem.

Agree 100%. I learned the hard way on my own car when I got something caught under a Meguiars burgandy cutting pad. Took quite some time to get about 90% of the scratches out, the other 10% you can only see from certain angles.

zey · 12-31-05, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido

I used to put my zaino on by hand. Lately I've been doing it with a PC and one of the finishing pads that was recomended in another thread. I've found a few small micro scratches in the paint that are in an even loop design. I put the polish on between 5 and 6. Would spraying detailer on the pad help?

thanks

Guido, I term that "micro scratches in an even loop design" as micro marring.