AAT Clumping up while buffing

**xtremekustomz** · 11-21-2016, 06:04 PM

I`m having some issues with the AAT compound. Every time I use it with a foam pad it clumps up and slings off of the pad. On top of that it leaves dry smudge marks that have to be wiped off with a wet microfiber. What`s the deal? I`m using it with a rotary one an orange LC pad at 1200 rpm. After a few passes is when it starts to do this. I`ve tried washing the pad, using a damp pad, "seasoning" the pad. I`m at a loss at the moment. It just seems to make a mess. I put about 4 dime size drops on the pad so I don`t think I`m using too much.

**512detail** · 11-21-2016, 06:33 PM

I`ve used two full 2oz sample bottles of that on several different cars

never had that issue

I LOVE that compound.. it polishes down (for me) into almost Nothing!

a little of that goes a long way. you might try a smaller amount

you can spritz the panel with water after your first pass (and not load the pad again) and it will reactivate whats left on the surface and polish more

**xtremekustomz** · 11-21-2016, 06:46 PM

This is the first time I`ve had it do that as well which is strange. I`ve been using it for almost a year. It even does it some with the 3d wool pad but not as bad. Kinda frustrating and really messy.

**milky** · 11-22-2016, 05:46 AM

I`ve had it the same for me, but only when using a rotary and it happens during the high humidity and hotter months.

**RaysWay** · 11-22-2016, 09:30 AM

I remember experiencing the same thing too, but tweaked my technique and stopped it from happening. 4 dime sized drops does sound a little heavy. Try 3 pea sized drops. Once the pad is primed you shouldn`t need much more. Also try doing less passes. I remember being really surprised with the speed of AAT Compound and Polish. Especially on a rotary you`ll only need 1 or 2 passes with fast arm movement.

**JBM** · 11-22-2016, 03:50 PM

Adapt does the same thing for me.

**512detail** · 11-22-2016, 04:15 PM

adapt and the aat compound will do that if you use too much
try dialing it down a little

reload the pad with ONE dot only

**xtremekustomz** · 11-22-2016, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Vega@Autopia

I remember experiencing the same thing too, but tweaked my technique and stopped it from happening. 4 dime sized drops does sound a little heavy. Try 3 pea sized drops. Once the pad is primed you shouldn`t need much more. Also try doing less passes. I remember being really surprised with the speed of AAT Compound and Polish. Especially on a rotary you`ll only need 1 or 2 passes with fast arm movement.

I`ve just kinda been going by the AAT videos on youtube for the 4 dime size drops because that is what the guy uses. The guy works it for a really long time too. I will say it does have great cut. The clumping makes a mess though.

**RaysWay** · 11-23-2016, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by xtremekustomz

I`ve just kinda been going by the AAT videos on youtube for the 4 dime size drops because that is what the guy uses. The guy works it for a really long time too. I will say it does have great cut. The clumping makes a mess though.

Have you performed test spots with only 1 or 2 passes? When you perform a test spot, you should be testing how quickly you can correct an area too. Especially with the Compound.

For example, when I do a test spot I`ll usually start with 2 passes (on a rotary just one) before wiping off the compound and polish to check my results. If I`m lucky, two passes got the job done. The industry "norm" is 4-6 passes, but why are we polishing an area four to six times if only two passes gets the job done? We can finish a job twice as fast if it takes half the time to polish.

I`ve seen those YouTube videos too and...I don`t know....maybe those panels have super super hard clearcoat on them. Some of the test panels we have here are clearcoated with super hard clearcoat so they can last through an entire season of car shows and detailing classes. Most of the time I spent using the AAT combo only required two passes for amazing results.

I found an old comment I replied to a question about AAT and I mentioned only needing 2 passes:

Originally Posted by mohebmhanna

Hi Vega,
Is 3D AAT combo can be used with DA small throw such as 8mm and 12mm. Or it designed for rotary and big throw 21&15mm. Thanks

Originally Posted by Vega@Autopia

Can be used on both with great results. On a long throw, the compound works FAST. It`s amazing what it does after just 2 passes with a long throw polisher. Wipes off easy and doesn`t dust. The Finishing Polish wipes off even easier and is my favorite of the two because it can actually cut very well for a polish, but still finishes down perfect. For most details I try and only use the Finishing Polish and adjust my pad as needed. Works great on foam, microfiber and wool pads because the working time is endless. During testing, I polished a panel for a long time with an 8mm DA and it never dried up on me. I`ve experienced ZERO dusting ever with the AAT system.

Even on this trunk lid, I remember only performing two passes to clean things up. And the finish was only from the compound + rotary + hydrotech pads aka the Dan Swirl Killer Combo (stokdgs)

Full write-up: http://www.autopia.org/forums/machin...tml?highlight=

I think less product and less passes is all you need. Polishing is fun and it`s easy to get carried away with extra passes, but dusting or clumping up clean up is not.

**ShaneB** · 11-23-2016, 10:36 AM

I had that issue with really soft paint before on a harley

**xtremekustomz** · 11-23-2016, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Vega@Autopia

Have you performed test spots with only 1 or 2 passes? When you perform a test spot, you should be testing how quickly you can correct an area too. Especially with the Compound.

The majority of stuff that I do is on repaints when I have to denib and polish or if someone wants a full color sand/buff. The wool pads seem to cut really fast but foam I haven`t had as much luck with. On fresh paint I have trouble cutting 1500 grit out with it but on something that is cured it goes a lot faster. I finish the 1500 out with 3000 but if I don`t spend enough time I will still have some 1500 grit scratches. This particular car I wasn`t really looking for perfection. It belongs to my supervisors daughter so I was mainly just going over it with a polish to shine it up a little but I did run over the top and hood with the compound. To get good correction I`m having to make quite a few passes especially with a foam pad. I`ve noticed that although I do really like the 3d products that there are oils in them that will cover up imperfections. For that matter the 3m compounds and the aat have a very similar chemical makeup which is why I got away from 3M to start with.