Alright, I really need to get a darker car to detail. These lighter colored cars just don't photo that well. the RL turned out real nice. It was in pretty good shape to start with. Really the only thing wrong with it was some mild to medium swirling. I'll go ahead and write up some thoughts here, while I have some pics uploading.
I did the usual wash and clay before digging in. Started out with an orange Erasure pad from Excel Detail and some IP. I promised myself that I was going to layoff the speed 6 initially. So, I did my usual 2 x 2 section by going left-right-left and then up-down-up at a nice slow speed - maybe 1-3" per second. Them some back and forth quick action. This was with pretty good pressure. Would then go with basically no pressure up-down-up and right-left-right to let the forced rotation really do it's thing. Would then gear down to about a 4 and do a few finishing runs on it. Had the Flex on about a 5 speed. Backed the car out, and it looked like it helped a bit, it just wasn't where I wanted it to be. So, back in the garage, and went with the same pad and IP, but bumped it up to a speed 6 this time. I did a different section of the hood this time to see the difference between first section. Backed it out, and, yep, there it was, that's what I needed, the full power. Really, really, did a nice job taking out the swirls. So, I had my combination and did the rest of the car this way. You could still see a few random swirls here or there. The polishing went much quicker than this would've with the PC. I probably would've been using a stronger polish and pad as well. Like I said previously, it takes about 2 minutes to do a section as opposed to closer to 5 it would take me with the PC and to get a bit better results as well.
If you are going to change pads I would suggest trying to let it cool down a little first. As previously posted, I've already started getting some separation on the red velcro from the backing plate. After doing most of the top surfaces, I tried taking the Erasure orange pad off to put on the Detailer's Paradise orange pad, and started getting some more separation. Not good. However, I was still able to make it through the rest of the detail with the red. I guess I'm tring to hold out for as long as possible with the red.
I really like using the Flex. It definitely has a sense of purpose when in action. When doing my initial spread, i think I like doing it on a 2 or 2.5 better than 1. It seems to spread a little better, then fire up to 6, and do some cool-down on about a 4. I like to apply pressure on the head and also push down on the tail as well. This seems to give a nice pancake effect to the pad, and doesn't just squat down the front area of the pad where it's rotating. This time I did apply FMJ using my PC on about a 3.5. I think it was Frostydog saying that it's still much easier to work the PC for LSP, and I definitely have to agree. The soft start on it is really nice. Does a nice ramp up. Again, the trigger lock is essential to use. As I posted on another thread, I've been able to work the Flex in tighter areas as I get more familiar with it such as top ledge of rear bumper. On the RL though, I had to be extremely careful around the sideview mirrors. It takes some thinking on the fly as to how you should have the Flex positioned and whether the tail is to the right, left, down or up.
Ok I think my pics are uploaded now, here are some finished product pics of the RL:
this is right after finishing up this side with IP:
Finished product:
Sorry, no good sun pics. Then ones I took that I thought were going to show the swirling before and after just didn't turn out. You'll have to take my word for it!!! Let me know if there are any questions.
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