imported_Amused
07-26-2010, 08:27 PM
Cut, how much does a product cut? Fill, does the compound or polish fill...what’s with Product X filling? These seem to be ongoing topics whenever a new product comes out. The intention of this write up is not to address fill, but to try and standardize how we rate a products cut.
But, here’s my 2 cents about fill :)
It happens...but not because manufacturers go about using masking agents in their polishes and compounds (although some may if they market Product X to do so), but the fact that dissolving the base oils used to suspend the abrasives from a freshly polished panel can be difficult to do. Try wiping away some Crisco or olive oil with a light spritz of IPA with a single pass, or even multiple passes. Chances are, there will be residue. Sometimes it just takes time for them to dry enough to be removed completely. It’s the price we pay for workability. The solution? Be more diligent with your pre-LSP step. IPA may not be the most effective product for the situation (although it is most of the time)...a Dawn wash maybe more useful in removing the oils, or a product like Top Inspection. What I’m getting at is, there’s a learning curve with respect to cleaning off a product, just like there’s a learning curve in using and breaking down a product completely. Until you master both, it’s really moot debating the abilities of a polish or compound...which leads to a lot of senseless argument. [/rant]
OK, so back to rating cut...
I wanted to create a visual scale so that we all can have a baseline. I read a lot of Product X can remove this or that, but do we really know exactly what someone`s talking about? So, I’ve scoured the forums for examples of defects, and pulled the pictures that I think best matches the rating. This is the first pass of the rating scale. I’m sure there will be tweaks, but I think it’ll be a useful reference nonetheless.
The scale is from 1 to 5. I don’t think it’s necessary to get more granular than that. All products should be able to be categorized within this range. My goal is to make this a useful tool...not something that needs to be dissected or a point of argument. I hope I’ve achieve that.
- Jason
DISCLAIMER: These are not my pictures. They belong to forum members and I’ve credited them accordingly below each picture. If for any reason the owner doesn`t want their property used, I will gladly remove them from this post. Otherwise, thank you and happy polishing.
Cut Scale: (min) 1 - 5 (max)
Level 1: Polishing Haze
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/boxer/DSC_0059.jpg
: : : TH0001
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh316/nosdrummer91/DSC02898.jpg
: : : dsms
Level 2: Light Swirling
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/PLINCLIN/DSC05827.jpg
: : : FMINUS
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/tdekany/2008/100_2851.jpg
: : : tdekany
Level 3: Medium Swirling and Buffer Trails
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/35512008_Mini_Cooper_before1.jpg
: : : Scottwax
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/36532005_Infiniti_G35_before2.jpg
: : : Scottwax
Level 4: Heavy Swirling/RIDS
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/DaveKG/FocusandRotary/2009_0502RotaryDayApril0001.jpg
: : : Dave KG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/1ea57902.jpg
: : : RickRack
Level 5: 2500 - 3000 Grit Wet Sanding
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Black%20G35%20Coupe%20Wetsand/94be8a48.jpg
: : : RickRack
But, here’s my 2 cents about fill :)
It happens...but not because manufacturers go about using masking agents in their polishes and compounds (although some may if they market Product X to do so), but the fact that dissolving the base oils used to suspend the abrasives from a freshly polished panel can be difficult to do. Try wiping away some Crisco or olive oil with a light spritz of IPA with a single pass, or even multiple passes. Chances are, there will be residue. Sometimes it just takes time for them to dry enough to be removed completely. It’s the price we pay for workability. The solution? Be more diligent with your pre-LSP step. IPA may not be the most effective product for the situation (although it is most of the time)...a Dawn wash maybe more useful in removing the oils, or a product like Top Inspection. What I’m getting at is, there’s a learning curve with respect to cleaning off a product, just like there’s a learning curve in using and breaking down a product completely. Until you master both, it’s really moot debating the abilities of a polish or compound...which leads to a lot of senseless argument. [/rant]
OK, so back to rating cut...
I wanted to create a visual scale so that we all can have a baseline. I read a lot of Product X can remove this or that, but do we really know exactly what someone`s talking about? So, I’ve scoured the forums for examples of defects, and pulled the pictures that I think best matches the rating. This is the first pass of the rating scale. I’m sure there will be tweaks, but I think it’ll be a useful reference nonetheless.
The scale is from 1 to 5. I don’t think it’s necessary to get more granular than that. All products should be able to be categorized within this range. My goal is to make this a useful tool...not something that needs to be dissected or a point of argument. I hope I’ve achieve that.
- Jason
DISCLAIMER: These are not my pictures. They belong to forum members and I’ve credited them accordingly below each picture. If for any reason the owner doesn`t want their property used, I will gladly remove them from this post. Otherwise, thank you and happy polishing.
Cut Scale: (min) 1 - 5 (max)
Level 1: Polishing Haze
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/boxer/DSC_0059.jpg
: : : TH0001
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh316/nosdrummer91/DSC02898.jpg
: : : dsms
Level 2: Light Swirling
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii293/PLINCLIN/DSC05827.jpg
: : : FMINUS
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/tdekany/2008/100_2851.jpg
: : : tdekany
Level 3: Medium Swirling and Buffer Trails
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/35512008_Mini_Cooper_before1.jpg
: : : Scottwax
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/36532005_Infiniti_G35_before2.jpg
: : : Scottwax
Level 4: Heavy Swirling/RIDS
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/DaveKG/FocusandRotary/2009_0502RotaryDayApril0001.jpg
: : : Dave KG
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/1ea57902.jpg
: : : RickRack
Level 5: 2500 - 3000 Grit Wet Sanding
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Black%20G35%20Coupe%20Wetsand/94be8a48.jpg
: : : RickRack