Beginner on machine polishing and supplies please help

F

FreddieG

New member
After reading these forums I think I may be set on some products for my first time to use a machine to polish/wax. Here is what I have down so far. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a rotary since this is just a part time hobby. Let me know guys what you think to get started.





3D HD polishing kit (seemed like a good deal for what you get)

DD Uber pads 4 yellow and 4 green 2 blue 2 black

Optimum Car Wash

Mothers Clay

HD Polish

Wipedown

ClearKote Red Machine Glaze

ClearKote CW



Might do opti-coat for the DD



I have three cars to ulitimately to do should I get some more pads? Not sure how many to get? Also what speeds would everyone suggest for the HD polish and the other products with this machine? Any tips I plan on watching the AutoGeek videos. The paint is a basic black on a 2001 Ford F150 Lightning.



Thanks!!!
 
Get a Flex or Griots Orbital and never look back. They are very well built, super easy to use and provide superb results! Best part is you will wear out way before these orbitals wear out (lol).



Walter D. Robinson Phoenix
 
Gotcha thats what I was thinking...those seem to be the most that would be used. What speeds should I do the steps in?
 
FreddieG said:
What speeds should I do the steps in?
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Sorry, I don't know from the Red Moose Glaze or their wax. I'd guess around speed "4".



I haven't tried the HD Polish yet either, but I read somewhere (maybe David Fermani's post about it, well worth searching for) that speed 4-4.5 is sufficient as you don't want to flash it off too fast with a higher speed. Better find what David posted, I know that *I* will before I try using the stuff.
 
Thanks accumulator...I plan on doing the HD polish then opticoat for my DD so I will look up David and see what he says.
 
Get a Flex or Griots Orbital and never look back.
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I decided to go with the HF DA...couldn't pass up on the price with a 25% coupon. Then I bought the 5 inch adaptor plate. Anyway I plan on doing a full detail for my first time with a machine. What steps and speeds would everyone suggest:



Optimum Car Wash

Clay

HD Polish (DA Speed 4) Is that to slow or fast? Should I use a cutting pad or a polishing pad? How many passes? Any suggestions?

IPA wipedown (Is this necessary)

ClearKote Red Moose Machine Glaze (What Speed?) I assume a polishing pad?

ClearKote CW (What Speed?) I assume a wax pad?



Thanks again!!
 
Depending on the condition of your paint and the car make, you might need something more aggressive than HD Polish--perhaps HD Cut. I think your pad selection is a good start. Here are a set of directions for use with HD Polish that David Fermani posted a few weeks back---



**Take a fresh, clean pad of your choice. Again, if this pad hasn't been completely cleaned prior to use, old product residue could still be in the pad and cause dust to fly everywhere. Very important to get this off on the right foot.



**(initial application/prime)Apply 4-5 small drops of product throughout the outer edges of the pad. This doesn't mean the center and this doesn't mean to use water, QD or anything else. Stiffer the pad, use a little more product.



**On medium speed (speed 4 or 5 on a GG for example) work the product in a 2 by 2 foot area using slow arm speed and moderate downward pressure.



**Make 2 to 4 passes. A pass is considered 1 back and forth and 1 up and down movement.



**Wipe & inspect



**Clean pad with either a firm pad brush, compressed air and/or towel.



**For reapplication, apply 3-4 more drop on outer edge of pad.



**Swap to fresh pad after 2-3 full sized panels or when pad begins to be over-saturated with product.







NOTE:

*This product does not break down. You don't need to work this product very long due to the non-diminishing abrasive technology. If you make too many passes, the oils will dry up and dust could result. If you don't clean your pads after each pass session, dust could result.



*There isn't a need, nor was this product designed to be used with water, QD or any other liquid to assist with this products performance.



*Keep your bottle closed after use. Store in a cool, dry environment.



*****IMPORTANT*****

*DO NOT overly prime pad.



When using HD Polishing compounds in sunny, outdoor or hot environments/surfaces:

1-Use a little more product

2-Work smaller sections/areas

3-Clean pads well/frequently

4-Be mindful of long work times
 
I recently received a Griot's 6" DA, and I love it! Great tool, and easy to use.



After polishing 2 cars and using the DA to wax a total of 4, I would say to start on a flat surface (trunk or hood), and speed 2 or 3, then work up to 5 (not sure if those speeds will work with your machine, but I'm sharing my experiences - YMMV). This will give you a good idea of how the product you're applying is working with each step. I did this on my 1992 BMW 525i, and the results were amazing! This also gives you ample time to get familiar and confident with the machine before doing doors, other cars, etc.



Remember that you can cut more, but can't cut any less than you've already done, so start with the least aggressive product/pad combo and work slowly up to more and more aggressive combos until you're happy with the results. I did a GG polishing (orange) pad and their Machine Polish 3, and while it didn't get all the crap out of the paint, it DID make it quite smooth and look 10x better than when I started, so I stopped there, as I was happy with the results.



GOOD LUCK!



-John
 
DraKhen99 said:
Remember that you can cut more, but can't cut any less than you've already done, so start with the least aggressive product/pad combo and work slowly up to more and more aggressive combos until you're happy with the results. I did a GG polishing (orange) pad and their Machine Polish 3, ...[and]..I was happy with the results.
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That's a very mild combo, so you have plenty of clear left for next time. I'm a big fan of the Griot's orange polishing pads :xyxthumbs They don't get much attention here for some reason.



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!
 
Thanks for the warm welcome!



Not trying to threadjack, but I was polishing my 1992 BMW 525i, which I believe is single stage paint, and it isn't very hard paint, either - one piece of dirt put a scratch in it deep enough that the GG MP3 didn't take it out. I am leery of going any more aggressive because of the unknown depth of paint. The front end, however, has been clear coated (I believe, because it's far shinier, and looks like clear coat) - the whole front clip was repainted in 1994 due to a chain link fence falling on it.



I got the car about 18 months ago, and this was the first thing I'd done to its finish, besides washing and waxing on a semi-regular basis.



-John
 
DraKhen99- I really do consider the GG MP#3 to ve *very* mild. I'd almost go so far as to say I think of it as a paint cleaner/finising polish rather than something for correction. I appreciate the "don't thin the paint too much!" mindset and the challenges of a car with a partial repaint in b/c (I have an older Jag...), but I wouldn't hesitate to consider judicious use of, say.... their MP#2.



Though to be honest, I'm not a fan of the GG MPs, haven't used them for quite a while as I prefer other stuff. But hey, if *you* like them, far be it from me to say you need to try something else.
 
Accumulator - I may just give it a go with the GG MP2. It'll probably be springtime before I get around to it, however, as I just placed an order from GG and won't do it until I need refills of some of their other stuff. That, and the winter takes its toll on cars around here, so I'd rather be able to enjoy the results all next summer :D



-John
 
pwaug said:
4-Be mindful of long work times
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rekindling an old tread, but can you elaborate on this point ? I've read it several times across the board and just want to make sure I fully understand this tip/warning.


thanks!
 
HD Polish has long work times, but in the sun or in very hot weather you have to be careful as work times are shortened for all polishes--you don't want to let the polish dry out.
 
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