Polishing off edges?

sfa500 · 10-17-07, 07:28

I am starting to use a rotary and wanted to know what polising off edges instead of on them meant? Thanks.

mjpowers728 · 10-17-07, 07:49

If I understand it correctly, you're supposed to slightly tilt the pad so that as it rotates, the part of the pad that comes back onto the panel doesn't strike the edge.

Example: You moving the buffing to the right and are coming up to an edge. As you get to the edge, slightly tilt the buffer so that the back of the pad is up. This way, the pad will spin back onto the panel away from the edge, instead of directly onto it.

Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I always have a hard time explaining things.

sfa500 · 10-17-07, 08:13

im sorry im having a hard time understanding this. Not your fault.

Fly Bye · 10-18-07, 04:52

It means "not burning through the paint".

SCutchins · 10-18-07, 08:56

Polishing "off the edge" is easy to understand once you fire up the rotary, but I will try to explain.

The pad spins clockwise. Say you are standing on the drivers side of the car and polishing the top of the hood, so the hood is on your left and the windshield is on your right. The EDGE of the windshield faces to the right.

For this situation, you would want to pick the BACK of the pad (the part of the pad that is closest to you) up slightly off of the paint, so as the pad spins it does not contact the edge of the hood. The front of the pad polishes "off of the edge" but the back of the pad does not polish back on to the edge.

Not only can this damage the paint, but it also makes a huge mess as the edge rips the polish right off of the pad and flings it under the hood.

Does that make it any clearer?

sfa500 · 10-18-07, 11:56

Its starting to make more sense i believe. Im a bit confused as to the part of the hood your referring to. I think its the top near the windshield correct? So if I am polising that area I want to lift the back of the pad when i approach the edge so that I dont burn it? A picture might help. The way I am thinking now is you lift the pad inorder to keep it from not touching another panel for burning reasons correct? Thanks

Coupe · 10-18-07, 12:31

You really only need to worry about edges if your using cutting pads.

I polish over edges all the time with wool and polishing/finishing pads.

sfa500 · 10-18-07, 12:54

Well I want to be ablt to use cutting pads.

Coupe · 10-18-07, 01:03

You can, just not on edges.

jshillin · 10-18-07, 02:19

Do you know what an edge are?? Keep your pad off of them. Can't put it any easier than that. When you polishing the areas around the edges just slight tilt your pad so it is not making contact with the edge. If you make contact contact with the small area of an edge you will burn through it very quickly.

Ticman2 · 10-18-07, 03:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfa500

I am starting to use a rotary and wanted to know what polising off edges instead of on them meant? Thanks.

Watch this video. Mike Pennington does a good job expaining it. I think that the right one. If not check out the others parts.

YouTube - Wetsanding part 3 of 5

sfa500 · 10-19-07, 10:17

Didnt see it in the video.