togwt
07-31-2011, 05:14 AM
There are far too many variables to answer this question with a viable solution. Things such as paint density (hardness) age, specification, thickness, etc, etc.
However there is a methodology that can be used to identify what will work to meet your detailing goals for a particular vehicle
Test Panel Area
The best method to establish what polish / pad combination you`ll need is; diagnosis; not guesswork; the differing density (hardness) of paints react differently to correction, so before beginning to polish measure the paint thickness (PTG) panel by pane to ensure that you do not select an aggressive polish that will reduce too much clear coat.
Then select a ‘typical’ panel; one that represents the type of defects that you want to remove and the finish level required. Select an area of 18 x 18-inches and tape it off with painter’s tape, as this is an optimal working section to perform a product test spot; this will help establish a polish – pad combination that will produce the best possible finish that corresponds to your detailing goals for the vehicle. Pay attention to how the paint is responding to your inputs. Stop and evaluate your progress, once this is established; repeat the process over the entire paint surface, adjusting abrasiveness for any low paint thickness.
There may be some areas that have deeper scratches, which will necessitate a more abrasive polish. This is known a ‘spot-correction’. Once this area(s) are completed revert to the original polish / pad combination, there is no need to remove any more clear coat than is necessary
Experience will teach you how your polish/pad combination ‘feels’ as it goes through the various stages; i.e. cutting, to polishing stage and finishing stages, just when the polish lubrication has dried up (this is usually when a polish starts to produce ‘dust’), this is where you stop, wipe off the polished area, inspect the paint surface and either clean the pad, apply more polish or change it for a clean fresh one.
There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat 0.5 Mil > (12µ) and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection (these can be aesthetically masked by using a Glaze)
Using a medium abrasive polish and a rotary polisher will remove approximately 0. 1 Mil (3µ micron) range 0.08 – 1 Mil (2 – 25µ) from the paint surface (typically 4 passes at 1500-1800 RPM) Common sense needs to be part of the equation also, but there are many variables such as the abrasive grade of the polish or compound and speed and pressure used that may affect the paint removed) These numbers should be checked with a paint thickness gauge (PTG) There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection.
These numbers are offered as a guide only, as there are too many variables to provide any more than an approximation.
See also-
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136448-identifying-foam-pads-abrasive-qualities.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136531-foam-pads-i.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136405-paint-density-hardness.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136546-clear-coat-thickness-paint-removal-polishing.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/welcome-greeting-center/] ( [url) Authors Profile [/url]
However there is a methodology that can be used to identify what will work to meet your detailing goals for a particular vehicle
Test Panel Area
The best method to establish what polish / pad combination you`ll need is; diagnosis; not guesswork; the differing density (hardness) of paints react differently to correction, so before beginning to polish measure the paint thickness (PTG) panel by pane to ensure that you do not select an aggressive polish that will reduce too much clear coat.
Then select a ‘typical’ panel; one that represents the type of defects that you want to remove and the finish level required. Select an area of 18 x 18-inches and tape it off with painter’s tape, as this is an optimal working section to perform a product test spot; this will help establish a polish – pad combination that will produce the best possible finish that corresponds to your detailing goals for the vehicle. Pay attention to how the paint is responding to your inputs. Stop and evaluate your progress, once this is established; repeat the process over the entire paint surface, adjusting abrasiveness for any low paint thickness.
There may be some areas that have deeper scratches, which will necessitate a more abrasive polish. This is known a ‘spot-correction’. Once this area(s) are completed revert to the original polish / pad combination, there is no need to remove any more clear coat than is necessary
Experience will teach you how your polish/pad combination ‘feels’ as it goes through the various stages; i.e. cutting, to polishing stage and finishing stages, just when the polish lubrication has dried up (this is usually when a polish starts to produce ‘dust’), this is where you stop, wipe off the polished area, inspect the paint surface and either clean the pad, apply more polish or change it for a clean fresh one.
There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat 0.5 Mil > (12µ) and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection (these can be aesthetically masked by using a Glaze)
Using a medium abrasive polish and a rotary polisher will remove approximately 0. 1 Mil (3µ micron) range 0.08 – 1 Mil (2 – 25µ) from the paint surface (typically 4 passes at 1500-1800 RPM) Common sense needs to be part of the equation also, but there are many variables such as the abrasive grade of the polish or compound and speed and pressure used that may affect the paint removed) These numbers should be checked with a paint thickness gauge (PTG) There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection.
These numbers are offered as a guide only, as there are too many variables to provide any more than an approximation.
See also-
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136448-identifying-foam-pads-abrasive-qualities.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136531-foam-pads-i.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136405-paint-density-hardness.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/136546-clear-coat-thickness-paint-removal-polishing.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/welcome-greeting-center/] ( [url) Authors Profile [/url]