Do you really need practice panels when using a PC?

Kool_ZX3 · 04-28-06, 07:13

Just wondering if you truly need a practice car or panels to try on before your own car. It just seems so simple. If someone doesn't have access to panels or old cars... what do you do? Just doesn't seem that you need them unless you can really screw up your car doing it for the first time.

ajbarnes · 04-28-06, 07:22

A PC typically is a fool proof machine and is very safe when used as directed. I've been using a PC for about two years now, and I can polish out a Hummer with a PC in one hand and be eating my hoagie in the other.

Seriously though, if you follow the directions with PC usage, and the particular polish, sealant, etc., use simple common sense when using this or any other machine, and if you use correct pads for specific situations, just about anyone can effectively use a PC.

Setec Astronomy · 04-28-06, 07:27

The recommendation for practice panels is for rotary polishing, not PC.

MCA · 04-29-06, 03:18

Yes and No...The only beginning advice I can say is to make sure your pad is primed with either QD, water, or product (of course the choice depends on what you're applying). If the product does not get along with either QD or water, I will smear the product beforehand all over the face of the pad - I just get this bad feeling thinking of a dry pad being worked into paint (regardless if it's just a PC). Anyways, I digress - You can also practice on your washing machine/dryer (mine are really shiny) or your glass cocktail table (did mine with VM).

Shelbrain · 04-29-06, 04:23

If your worried, go rent the cheapest car you can find for the weekend. It is sure to have swirls to remove.

nuclear · 04-29-06, 05:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelbrain

If your worried, go rent the cheapest car you can find for the weekend. It is sure to have swirls to remove.

+1 for that advice. I work for a rental company...just about any car will have massive swirls after being run through the car washes. I've even seen them used for window tinting practice...

If you speak with the right person when making the reservation you can usually request a dark-colored car. I doubt anyone will mind someone polishing up their cars for them

(Hint: '05 Impala and Grand Ams are fairly beat up by now...those would be great practice)

Accumulator · 04-29-06, 05:44

While it pays to be a little careful with 4" pads and aggressive products (gee, guess how I know

), IMO as long as your working with a fairly new vehicle with normally thick paint you don't need to work on practice panels.

If you're working on an older car with thin paint that might be different but even then I'd say to just use mild products and be sensibly cautious. Most people will wish the PC were more aggressive than it is.

*BUT* you've gotta think- about what you're going to do and how before you start, what you're doing while you're doing it, and what you've done after you've done it. Too many "what went wrong?" posts about this stuff leave me wondering "what was he thinking?" when the answer is "he wasn't thinking"

For that matter, IMO even with a *rotary* the need for practice panels will depend as much on the operator's mindset/personality/knowledge base as on anything else.

Pats300zx · 04-29-06, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajbarnes

A PC typically is a fool proof machine and is very safe when used as directed. I've been using a PC for about two years now, and I can polish out a Hummer with a PC in one hand and be eating my hoagie in the other.

S.

Cmon AJB...thought it would at least have been a Philly Cheesesteak

jdhutchin · 04-29-06, 09:34

Buffing using a PC isn't that hard. It'll take some practice to get good results (took me a bit to figure out how much product to use, for example), but if you make a mistake, you're not going to be doing any real damage to your car. The worst that could happen is you'd have to do it again, so I wouldn't worry about starting off on your own car.

daveb · 04-29-06, 12:33

Don't need a practice panel....I just practiced on my washing machine for 5 minutes. I was good to go. :-D

tanha · 05-01-06, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

Don't need a practice panel....I just practiced on my washing machine for 5 minutes. I was good to go. :-D

Now that is too funny! Come to think of it, my dryer is scuffed and scratched, guess I can work on that. Wonder what else around here I can polish!

hooked · 05-01-06, 11:38

When using a machine like the PC, how do you handle things like emblem and other stuck on bits?

Do you avoid them and do them by hand (or finger)? Or will the pad get in there to hit the exposed paint that is underneath? If you can do the second method? Do the stuck on bits tear up the polishing pads?