Can I screw up my finish with a PC? Need Input>>>

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imported_SilverStallion

New member
I am debating on using my Christmas money to buy a PC. My hesitation is that when I was working for a GM garage while I was in university, we had a new black Vette that came in, and the chain from the delivery truck fell and grazed the paint. They asked me to use the "buffer" to get the scratches out with a mild compound so I did. It left swrils all over the hood, and there were clearly rows of circles where I had used the tool.



I now have this car:

DSC01091-vi.jpg


and I am nervous to get an electric polisher. At the same time, I have several of my buddies who I compete with in the summer who say that I am crazy not to be using a PC on both my BMW and my Mustang GT show car.



What is the difference between a PC and a traditional buffer? Can I use products like Klasse AIO and SG with a PC, and finally, is it worth my while to change over? I have done some searches on this sit, but I am not getting the conclusive answers that I am looking for.



Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered.

~Darren
 
I'll bet that the "buffer" you used was a rotary and not a PC. I'm a total nOOb myself, and used the PC for the first time. But, the random pattern of a PC makes damage to the car's finish highly unlikely.
 
The PC does not stay in one spot long enough to generate enough heat to damage your paint.



I would bet the "buffer" you used was a rotary as well as a generic buffer would not do that because it does not get to the speeds to create those circles.
 
PC 's are dual action and do not produce the heat a rotary will. A rotary is much more aggressive than a PC and will damage the paint easily if you don't know how to use one properly.



That doesn't mean you can't do harm with a PC. I have seen a PC go through clear coat and hit base coat. I have seen this done by hand as well.
 
One thing though, you can dull your clear with a PC if you use to aggressive of a polish and to aggressive of a pad.



The PC is super safe as long as you don't over do it. A rotary on the other hand can easily damage a finish, even being very careful.



As long as you as you use a polishing pad (not cutting) and medium to mild polish, you'll be very very safe with your finish even at speed 6 on the PC Dual Action.



The PC saves you time and fatigue. It's definitely the way to go for light polishing and even waxing if you are doing a lot in one day.



Paco
 
I have one small mark on the hood that I want to get out...I marred the finish with Fine cut cleaner by hand trying to get out a small scratch caused by a stone. I wax/Klasse AIO/SG a lot, and I ma very particular about the finish of my cars. I just thought perhaps this would be a way of improving the finish. My products of choice are:



Klasse AIO/SG

P21S Carnuba

Megs #16

Megs NXT



This gives you an idea of the products that I use.

~Darren



PS...Which stores sell the PC in Canada? Home Depot?
 
First off i think you are not using some products properly. You said "fine cut left marring", this is normal. You generally always need to follow up a compound with a final polish. This would have been normal for the black Vette. If you would have followed the swirled finish with a polishing step, you might have removed the marring.



Remember to remove scratches you must add finer scratches and then remove these with a final polish. With the products nowadays ( DACP and other breakdown compounds) it has become alot easier than it used to be.



On your own hood try a SMR by hand and see if you can polish it out. Canadian Tire sells them probably by order only. Also a few online sites, carcaresmart or is it eshine has them.
 
Autopia has it as does properautocare for ~$130 USD. As mentioned by salty, Canadian carries it and some of the stores stock them (For $230 CDN I believe). There's a couple of onlines stores as well as mentioned above.



If it's an isolated area, you might want to try out Meguiars Scratch X that can be found at Canadian Tire It's a good product for fixing some isolated scratches. Do a search here on the forum or Meguiar's online forum and you'll find the best way to use it. It comes in a tube similar to hair gel and is easy to work it.



Paco
 
SilverStallion - Think of the PC as merely a "mechanical hand" that doesn't get tired and moves faster than a human one. If you're leery about it messing up your paint, you can just turn it down to a slow speed until you gain confidence with it (which will only take a few minutes ;) ).



I've introduced total newbies from teenagers to octogenarians to the PC and they've all been up to speed (pardon the pun) in no time. Really, you'll be happy you got the PC.
 
A PC is a necessary tool, IMO. It's very difficult to mess up the paint with a PC if even modest care is taken. The keys are to 1) use a good set of pads, 2) use good quality polishes and 3) start with the least abrasive combo of pad and polish and get more aggressive only if necessary.



I use LC Constant Pressure pads (from www.properautocare.com) and Menzerna IP and FPII. IP is not as aggressive as some polishes but it works very well. It is water-based so you can control polishing time by spritzing with water. I use a 50/50 Alcohol/Water mix to remove the residue after polishing a section.



Regards,



Dan.
 
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