Apply polishes to pad or panel?

jaybs02

jaybs02

New member
I have watched the Meg's video and the one from Adam's site and I was wondering if it makes a difference if you apply polishes to the pad or to the panel.
I understand that it would not make sense to apply product directly when using a wool pad, I was referring more to when using a foam pad.

And if there is a difference what is it?

Thanks
"J"
 
I always apply directly when:
-using a wool pad, except on the hood when it is easy to navigate
-when working around tight areas I smear it in
-when working out any oxidization I smear it evenly--this avoids streakiness, though uses more product.
-when using a liquidy polish (does that make sense, thinner), I apply a line or two on horizontal panels; on vertical panels I smear it in lightly or apply to the foam pad.
-with cheap commercial cut polishes on junky cars when I have to re-wash anyway, I tend to put lots of polish on the panel and work it in-when time is more important than 50cents of wasted polish.

I tend to apply to the pad other wise. Does that make any sense?
 
I apply to a pad, as I have had an issue with the chemical cleaning ingredients of a polish leaving a mark where it sat on the paint. It was SS red, BADLY oxidized, and (I wouldn't doubt) probably a bit warm. I was much younger then, so I likely didn't execute the steps to perfection. :redface: So, even though it could have been a user error, I have since stuck to applying to the pad first. (Also less chance of unexpected sling/build-up, IMO.)
 
I always apply to the pad. The main reason being that it is easier to stop the splatter for me. I always spread it around the area that I am going to work.

I like the control of product applied also. Guess I am just used to what I need on the pad to do the area that I am working.

Never thought about the line that could be left but that is something to be considered if at a later date I should start to put product on the surface.
 
I apply the product to the panel ( ususally one whole side of the car's panels. Then spread with the pad. I can work alot faster when I dont have to keep pickup up the bottle. I do the whole side of the car and then remove.

Greg
 
I apply a couple dime size dots to the panel, usually optimum polish, po106ff, po85rd, or FPII. The polish slides down about an inch or two at best. The polish is thick enough were it wont slide down and hit the floor.

Greg
 
For those that said that they apply to the panel, do you use the same technique for both
a rotary and the PC.
I ask that only due to the fact that they work differently.

TIA
"J"
 
When I used to use the pc, I would most of the time put product on the pad, but with rotary I always put it on the panel.

Greg
 
When I use my rotary, I apply to the panel and suck it up in the pad when I sweep it across. PC I apply to the pad and put the pad and push it up to the panel in a couple of places. I apply LSP to the applicator. I dont like to smear the polish. I always get splatter when I smear it.
 
To avoid splatter with the PC after spreading the product over the panel i run the pc on a slower speed to get it applied to the area them turn the pc up and finish it off at 5 or 6.
 
It seems to work better for me when I apply to the pad when using the PC. I like to work a small area by applying the pad to the panel and covering it. Start out on 2 and even out the product on the desired area then move up to a higher speed so the product is worked in. I had my first encounter with a rotary this past week and this process didn't work as good. To stop product sling I had to apply the product to the panel first and do as some of the others have mentioned. For me it all dependes on what pad and product and what machine is being used for the job. And I most say I was impressed with the rotary after my first encounter with this beast.
 
i apply to the panel with both a pc and rotary. i have apllied to the pad before but i feel more comfortable apllying to the panel. with the rotary, i spread it around before i turn on the machine. with a pc, i use speed 1 or 2 to spread then up the power or finish it off. on clear coat paint it does make a difference in my eyes, just what you feel comfortable doing.
 
I always apply to the pad and then before i beginwith the PC, i dab it on the panel in about two places to kind of get a good amount of product spread to two areas of the panel. Then i begin working the PC and hit both spots i dabbed to then begin working the area.

Richard
 
i do both the pad & the pAINT SURFACE.... normally I use a QD to make the procedure much easier. You cant go wrong with either way. Some prodcuts say something but i have a habit of doing it another way :bubba
 
GregCavi said:
I apply the product to the panel ( ususally one whole side of the car's panels. Then spread with the pad. I can work alot faster when I dont have to keep pickup up the bottle. I do the whole side of the car and then remove.

Greg
Click to expand...


I've been doing this lately and its really cut down my time by 15 minutes. I figured the product would drip to the floor but it actually stays up. Good tip!
 
With wool pads I tend to spread the polish on the panel first, but sometimes I'll pick up on a pead and spread it with the pad. With my foam pads I always lay down beads of polish on whatever side I'm working on, then just pick up on the next bead and just feather the trigger as I spread the polish around. If you can do it without getting any sling, it's a HUGE time saver!
 
maximv1 said:
i apply to the panel with both a pc and rotary. i have apllied to the pad before but i feel more comfortable apllying to the panel. with the rotary, i spread it around before i turn on the machine. with a pc, i use speed 1 or 2 to spread then up the power or finish it off. on clear coat paint it does make a difference in my eyes, just what you feel comfortable doing.
Click to expand...

before having a PC and being in the body shop business I always used this technique with a rotary and lived with the splatter as part of the hazzards of the job. With a PC if I'm in a hurry I also apply to the panel as long as it is not hot or you can get the problems Bigleegr mentioned above. When I'm showing a newbee how to use a PC or rotary i apply it to the pad as most newbees don't yet know how much product or how far a product can be spread.
All these techniques are learned and each person will adjust as they gain more knowledge and experience with each machine.
 
I normally lay a bead on a horiztonal panel. If on vertical panel, I lay a bead and smear it and try to even it out the bead and then I hit it with my rotary.
 
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