Another PC swirl removal thread...

[1 Clean WS6]

Hey all!!



I`ve seen a few too many "PC can`t do that" threads so as an avid PC user...I`ll throw my two cents in. ;)



I am a full time pro and use a PC for 90% of my work. I do own a Makita 9227 that I do use for the total "basket cases" usually combined with Meg`s 7006 pads and either Meg`s #84 or #85. For me the PC is a simple, effective and safe tool that can tackle almost any job I ask of it. Unlike a rotary I never have to worry about how thin the paint on a vehicle is, catching an edge on a body line, sling or holograms...the sacrifice for that safety is time. I can say with certainty that it probably takes me twice as long to polish a vehicle with the PC than it does with a rotary but the same results can 9 times out of 10 be achieved. My simple solution on a business level is charging my customers more for in-depth details. Knowing that there won`t be any "swirls" (i.e. holograms) combined with the end results of the detail have allowed me to prosper at my job for the past six years.



I in no way want you to think that I am bashing the rotary aficionados *I* just have a different preference in my choice of tools to complete my job. The purpose of this post is just my way of saying "Yes...the PC can do that". :waxing:



Here is an example of PC polishing on an `03 Mustang Cobra that I recently detailed. As you can see the paint was trashed...bonded contaminants galor and heavy marring. All polishing was done with a PC 7424 with a 6oz counter weight and 6" backing plate. Pads were LC orange for IP; LC white for FPII; LC black for VM and Meg`s 9006 for CMW.



Before (after wash and clay)...



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraswirls1A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraswirls2A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraswirls3A.jpg



Clay after just one panel...



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraclayA.jpg

[1 Clean WS6]

After IP and FPII. No glaze or LSP are applied in these pics...



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraIPFP1A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraIPFP2A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobraIPFP3A.jpg



Finals...



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobrafinal1A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobrafinal2A.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/1CleanWS6/03KBCobrafinal3A.jpg



I`ll post a full "spread" on the detail in the click and brag forum tomorrow.

[Scottwax]

:) I am in the same boat. The safety of the PC is usually worth the time...although a few Audis have convinced me I need to at least step up to a Cyclo.



Excellent work!

[tailwind]

Mike: Kind of bonehead common-sense response on my part, but do you ever use the Makita followed by the PC? That`s a great way to save time on the cutting step (if it`s necessary,) but still finish with the orbital so you`re completely sure you`re safe and hologram-free.



I do agree with your post, though. 95% of the time I`ll reach for the PC first. We all preach about using the least abrasive method first, it`s just following that same rule. Only reason I bought the rotary was because of the occasions where you have to deal with exceptionally difficult GM/Mercedes/Audi/etc clear.

[1 Clean WS6]

tailwind I always follow my rotary work with the PC any time I use it. I 100% agree with you that using the Makita for the cutting step would absolutely save time but again I still prefer to sacrifice some time and use the old PC for that step.



For dealing with hard clear I simply follow the four "p`s" ;)... process, product, pad and patience .

[tailwind]

Out of all of them, the last "P" is the one that really sucks. Heh.



Good post.

[Evenflow]

Good post.



I recently got a PC, picked up my products. I am at school so I have not got a chance to use it yet. But I own a 2004 Black Mustang GT, and the swirls are in the same boat as yours. Not sure if my Optimum Polish is going to aggressive enough to get rid of all the swirls, but I am going to take my time, and make multiple slow passes with the PC to do my best to get them out :waxing:

[BigAl3]

:wow: thanks for your insight! :bigups

[Accumulator]

Yeah, good post and I agree.



I only get out the rotary if I can`t make decent headway with the PC/Cyclo. Just not having to tape, deal with sling, etc. makes it a no-brainer for me.



I *do* need the rotary to do some jobs to my satisfaction though, but it`s not like my vehicles looked awful before I got it.



IMO everybody who thinks the PC "can`t do correction" oughta try it with 4" pads. You can do *damage* with it when using the smaller pads (gee, ask me how I know :o ).

[General Lee]

You can definitely correct paint with the PC, but ever since I got my cyclo I reach for that instead. I`m surprised there isn`t more full time detailers on this board that don`t use the the cyclo.



Nice informative post Mike :xyxthumbs



Disclaimer: I`m not a full time detailer

[imported_Detailing Technology]

Yeah, good post and I agree.



I only get out the rotary if I can`t make decent headway with the PC/Cyclo. Just not having to tape, deal with sling, etc. makes it a no-brainer for me.



I *do* need the rotary to do some jobs to my satisfaction though, but it`s not like my vehicles looked awful before I got it.



IMO everybody who thinks the PC "can`t do correction" oughta try it with 4" pads. You can do *damage* with it when using the smaller pads (gee, ask me how I know :o ).



I want to know more about the 4" pads Accumulator.



This post has made me stop whining about my PC results. I always use a rotary and just tried a PC a few weeks ago.

[RAG]

Yes, the PC can do everything the rotary will...just depends on how much time you got. Though I`m a rotary first kinda-guy, I love my PC and couldn`t survive without it. I just did a Jeep Wrangler with fairly heavy swirls and was able to know out 85% of the swirls with PG and then OP...both applied via PC. I don`t think I could have done any better with the rotary and a two-step process...blew me away. And the best part about using a PC is the fact it doesn`t require the same level of concentration...the safety factor.

[eric77]

I only use a pc too. I am considering purchasing a rotary as well for the occassional nightmare vehicles.

[Scottwax]

Out of all of them, the last "P" is the one that really sucks. Heh.



Good post.



It is also the one some customers might not be willing to pay for...although taping and cleaning up might cancel out the time savings in some instances.

[tailwind]

It is also the one some customers might not be willing to pay for...although taping and cleaning up might cancel out the time savings in some instances.



Very true. A lot of times, a thorough explanation isn`t enough for some people, mainly the ones that don`t care if the car looks "perfect", they just want it cleaned up a bit.



I`ve tried explaining to a few the benefits of a clay and two-step polish, but they still insist on a basic wash/wax and vacuum, nothing else.