First timer using PC 7424 and Optimum Line

[mrchris1979]

I`m a beginner trying to do as much correction as I can on my 2003 black Honda Civic and dark green 1996 Acura Integra. I`ve chosen the Optimum Line based off good reviews and their zero dusting products. My process so far, PC 7424 with 6.5" orange LCC pad with Optimum Compound speed 5 and finally Optimum Polish with 6.5" white LCC pad speed 5. It`s a little improvement but the swirls are still visible and a little hazing is noticable. I did not put very much pressure initially but once I got a bit braver, I put a bit more push on the PC. Check out the pics and let me know what I should do to improve the results. Should I work the polish and compound a bit longer, more pressure, higher speed or should I step up to a more aggressive pad and compound? My original plan was just to do a AIO process using Poli Seal and a white pad but even after the compound and orange pad I obviously need do something a bit more aggressive in my process and product use. I am trying to stay away from the yellow pads and the Hyper compound as using those products may be a bit aggressive for a beginner so any pointers to get better results with the orange pad and compound will be appreciated. I`m guessing the Honda/Acura clears coats are harder. Here`s some pics of the after:



These are after shots. I know it needs more work. (click to enlarge)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/th_101_0079.jpg (http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/101_0079.jpg)http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/th_101_0082.jpg (http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/101_0082.jpg)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/th_101_0083.jpg (http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/101_0083.jpg)http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/th_101_0084.jpg (http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i100/mrchris1979/101_0084.jpg)

[mrchris1979]

Wow. This is becoming a challenge for me. Put a bit more pressure on the PC and speed 6 on the Orange pad with OC. A little bit better result but now seeing some holograms and hazing. Still need to make the next pass with the OP and white pad. I`m applying very little product on the pads as well per section( four pea sized dots) on a 2x2 section. Very slow passes about 3-4 minutes. I`m starting to wonder if I should try a different brand of compound/polishes to save some time and get better results. My next attempt will be using 5 1/4" pads. Possibly a sample of Megs #80 #83 or D151. My hopes of getting decent correction with minimum steps or even just a one step process is starting to fade away. I really had high hopes for the Optimum Stuff.

[imported_bigfoot]

Optimum products are very nice and very environmental friendly. Sorry to read about what`s going on with your situation, but even with other and more expensive brands there are instances where you need to do more than 1 pass in order to get the proper amount of correction done. It all depends on the hardness of the clear. If the CC is hard, the PC will take longer to make a correction compared with softer CC.



About the PC pressure amount, you should put around 20lbs of pressure in order to get things going and really work those polishes and compounds. Hope this helps you a little.

[qwertydude]

I think this is a similar problem to the corvette post that 105 hits like a little girl. A few swirls but what`s there is deep. You may need to go to a stronger polish to remove those scratches/swirls.

[nooboob]

more pics chris...

[mrchris1979]

I`m starting to feel comfortable now applying about 20lbs of pressure on the PC. At speed 5 and 6, the vibration takes some time to get used to but I`m starting to get a hang of it. I`m really surprised how much time it really takes to work in the Optimum compound with the orange pad. At almost 5 minutes per panel with even 20lbs of pressure and overlapping passes it seems the Optimum compound is just not cutting it on the Civic. Perhaps the swirls are deeper than I thought. I`m limited to the Orange pad for now so any other suggestions on what other brand compound to try with the orange pad? I`m leaning towards a Meguiars brand such as the #83 or #80 or something else with more cut. I`ve seen some of the Megs and 3M stuff at the local auto parts store so before I try something else, I just need to know what you guys thought. I think the Optimum Polish or Poli-Seal with a white pad will clean up the first step nicely but I just gotta figure out what else to try to remove the swirls a little better than the Optimum Compound.

[wascallyrabbit]

you won`t get much correction from 6.5" pads on a pc as you have already noticed. your best bet for the pc is 4" pads as they are more aggressive and have the ability to do some correction.

[Eliot Ness]

Another vote for 4" pads. Pick up a 3.5" backing plate and some 4" orange and white pads and a whole new world of correcting with a PC will be open to you:



3.5^^ Hook & Loop Flexiplate (http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=37932&pd=284883)



4^^ Erasure Turbo Kits (http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=65769)

[mrchris1979]

Just ordered some orange and white 5 1/4" pads and 4" pads along with the 3.5" backing plate. Also ordered a sample of Megs D151 just to see if I can actually get better results with a one step product. I just don`t have time to commit to a full day of correction using two or more steps. When I have more time, I`m gonna give Optimum compound and polish one more chance once I use the smaller pads. I guess the next step is just to use a more aggressive compound if I really want the most effective correction.

[thesacrifice]

do a panel here and there as you find time

[miahman98]

I really doubt you will see more correction with the Megs D151 then you would with Optimum compound. I still haven’t these two products but All in ones just don’t have that big punch. So I would stick with the Optimum compound and 4inch pads and see how well that works. If you don’t see any results with that combo you could try the purple wool pad and that should do it. Good luck… :buffing:

[HBR]

me: Seafoam? what`s that gf: I bet it`s something new and cool and you`re going to want it! me: why do you say that?

gf: cause you want everything





dude...................that`s funny.

[Cleaning Fool]

Really, the PC just isn`t the top dog when it comes to correction, especially with larger pads. In alot of cases you really need a rotary. . You get to a point where you just accept that the fact that the PC is only capable of so much correction. Definitely go 4 inch pads

[mrchris1979]

I started this whole process just to get my two cars back in respectable condition, add some protection and gloss back to the paint. I did not plan to get all obsessed with this at all. My $200 investment is slowly starting to cost a bit more. I just could not believe the results the detailer got from my other car just by using a UDM and PC. It was seriously swirled, in rough shape and it was black of all colors. The the results just shocked me and I knew I could do the same thing with practice. I`m hoping to just get over the fact that I may have limited results by using the PC and just be satisfied. I`ll work with what I`ve got and hopefully I get a better results when I use the smaller pads and find more time to take more steps. I`ll take some more progress pics when I get some time next week.

[Lumadar]

Like others said pick up a few 4 inch pads...THEN do this- take a sharpie and create a "+" sign that would be centered on the back of the pad all the way to the edges (save for the part where it attaches to the buffer).





The point is you will create some lines on the pad that create a point of reference...you will be able to watch them oscillate and you can vary your pressure accordingly. It is possible you are pushing so hard (20 pounds?~) that the pad is not rotating, and thus not correcting.



Maybe this will help you get a better feel for the optimum (excuse the pun) pressure.



Also, at the very least pick up some Meg`s #83. It is a VERY popular and cheap product for swirl removal on the PC. D151 wouldn`t be a bad call either...it`s just a good product to have around.