rubbing compounds by hand or machine?

[Blackmirror]

I have been reading about rubbing compounds on sites such as this and others(CMA, etc.) I read somewhere that rubbing compounds should only be applied by hand and not on clear coated paints. Then I read an article on CMA site about removing swirls and there were pics of the guy using a PC with 3M fine cut compound before moving to a swirl remover. I`m waiting for my pad kit to arrive and will be using my PC for the first time on my black Harley truck. I want to apply 3M Fine cut compound on some areas to remove scratches but not sure if I should do it by hand or PC.

[imported_Intel486]

You can do it with the PC. I wouldn`t worry about it. You`ll have to follow up behind 3M`s Fine Cut with a polish as Fine Cut will leave a haze on the paint. A polish will clear it up easily though.



I`ve used Fine Cut on many clear coated vehicles and it doesn`t hurt them. It`s just a more agressive form of a polish.



Nice Choice of Truck! :up

[Accumulator]

Yep, 3M`s Fine Cuts (like 39002 and 05399) are OK to use (by hand or PC or rotary) on clearcoats. Just follow up with something milder as Intel said.

[Blackmirror]

Do I have to use a 50/50 alcohol/water mix to remove the compound or can I just buff it off with a charisma towel? I should be using the yellow pad for 3M fine cut right?

[Blackmirror]

Got my pad kit today! Ready to use my pc for the first time! Should I apply the compound on the paint or the pad? If on the pad, should it be a circle or three small lines on the pad?

[Bill D]

Hi Blackmirror,



I would apply the IPA solution only if the compound`s not easily coming off. When I use my PC I put a few small lines of product on the paint, dab a few spots of it on the pad and smear it with the PC with pad before I turn the PC on

[Blackmirror]

Yeah thats what I did except I didn`t put product on the paint. Only the pad and then smeared it.



Whats IPA?

[Bill D]

The isopropyl alcohol mix

[Blackmirror]

Well I tried to fix a scratch with my new PC and it does appear less noticeable unless you look at it very closely. I think I made some hairline scratches which I can`t feel with my fingernail around the scratch. I used the PC in a left and right then up and down motion. Here`s what I used:



yellow pad with 3M fine cut

White pad with Meguiars #9

Then AIO by hand

Finally, SG by hand using WOO method.



So how did I create the hairline scratches? Can DACP remove them? I`m gonna try that next.

[ricastm8]

Blackmirror:



I just recently used 3M`s fine cut and found the amount of dust it created maddening, and it did`t remove scratches at all? Did this happen to you?



I used PC and yellow pad too.



Sorry to ask instead of helping...



Thanks

Ricardo.

[birdman]

Sorry im new, but what are you talking about when you say PC?

[rickindy]

A Porter Cable orbital buffer, either the 7424 or 7336

[togwt]

~One man’s opinion / observations ~



Try this article (with photographs) showing steps etc.



How to use the Porter-Cable 7424 Polisher DavidB

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-pc7424.html



~Hope this helps~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *

[Bill D]

Originally posted by ricastm8

Blackmirror:



I just recently used 3M`s fine cut and found the amount of dust it created maddening, and it did`t remove scratches at all? Did this happen to you?



I used PC and yellow pad too.



Sorry to ask instead of helping...



Thanks

Ricardo.





That happened to me so I havent used the stuff in over a year. Maybe once I begin my rotary experimenting Ill try it and see how well it works that way.

[Accumulator]

You folks who aren`t getting the results you expect from the 3M RC (sounds like you`re using 39002) with the yellow pad- are you using it at speed 6? If so, then maybe your paints hardness and the severity of your marring means you`re gonna need a rotary (or at least a Cyclo). There`s a real limit to what a PC can do.





Blackmirror- Sorry to hear you`re having trouble. I`d use the FCRC with a white pad before switching to the #9. I almost *always* follow a cutting pad with the same product on a polishing pad when using the PC/Cyclo (unless I`m using something *very* aggressive).



If you`re still removing product with Charismas, that sounds like the source of your hairline scratches, I use *very* soft, plush MFs instead (I used to use Charismas too). I`m assuming you work the FCRC until it`s broken down/almost gone to powder (and yeah, it makes plenty of that). If the residue won`t wipe off easily, use some Meg`s #34. More lubricity than plain alcohol mixes.