DA buffer/AIO Questions..

M

MansonOzz

New member
I broke out my PC DA buffer today for the first time and put an AIO coat on the wing of my car.



I'm not sure if I did it right, I barely see a difference.



Before/after pics:



wing1.jpg






wing2.jpg




I went over the wing about 3 minutes total with the buffer, should I have gone longer? I didn't want to rub 'nothing' into it and waste time. Like I siad I'm just starting and have no idea with this thing yet.



It SEEMS a bit deeper of a red now that is has been done with AIO, but I'm not quite sure if I am just seeing it to see it, or if it's really deeper.



I used about a quarter-size blob of AIO and had my speed setting at 4. I used light pressure and went back and forth, overlapping motions.



What did I do wrong? I've seen some before/after pictures where people's paint has become like a mirror - I want that!



I have some 3M Finesse-It Swirl Remover, should I use that after the AIO to bring out the clarity? WOuld it make a difference? As it is I see just about no swirls.



I've read a lot of info on the DA buffer and people mention that it hardly looks like it is moving, when it is on. Mine sure is noticable, the thing spins and seems a bit off-balance. Is that normal?



Lastly, what is a good way to wash my pads? I have 2 but want to keep them nice and clean.



Thanks!



-dave
 
if you paint is in good condition with no swirls or oxidation the AIO will not provide a dramatic difference.

It's hard to tell what you were trying to correct cause the paint looks fine in both the before and after pictures.



btw, aren't you on stangnet, I remember your custom interior work. my user name is LouisianaZJ, but I don't post much.
 
Yes I am on Stangnet :D Thanks for remembering my work.

I guess you're right, the paint is in fine condition to begin with. The only thing is I've seen some cars where the paint was horrendous, and was brought back to showroom condition with this stuff - and it looked clearer than mine!
 
If you want a really dramatic improvement, and assuming it's possible (your paint looks pretty good now, and you can't tell about other people's stuff from posted pics), then use some decreasingly strong polishes. But is your paint REALLY unsatisfactory in your eyes now? If so, maybe try some 1Z or Menzerna polishes before your AIO. It's the polishing that makes all the difference.



I think your technique sounds fine as it is, but maybe try doing it some more. You will NOT hurt anything by "overdoing" a PC/AIO job. Your PC sounds normal.



I just clean my pads out in the (utility) sink, using Dawn and hot water. Then I air-dry, spinning them on the PC can lead to damaged velcro, flying pads, and other problems.
 
Thanks.



No, my paint is fine to me. It really was to begin with. But we always want better, right? ;) I figured it was worth a shot.



So I have the 3M swirl remover for dark cars (my red), and then my Megs wax (gold class and nxt). Also got some Blackfire sealant from a friend.



LMK if this sounds good:



wash

clay if necessary (and rewash)

swirl

Megs #7 show car polish

AIO

Blackfire sealant

and whichever wax I like



is that correct? I'm new to doing anything in between my polishing/wax, and definitely don't want to mess it up or take it off



Thanks again guys!
 
Probably no need to do the #7 and AIO as the AIO wil clean the paint and remove any of the oils and stuff you put in with the #7 if you do plan on going the sealant route then skip #7 as it will interfear with the sealant bonding - nxt is s a sealant with a little cleaning ability so topping blackfire with that is probably not the best route. I think Gold class has some cleaners in it too (I'm not sure) so that might be an issue as well..it's best to top a sealant with a carnuba with no cleaners in it as the cleaners may remove the sealant.
 
I also have some #26high tech yellow. I used that last year with #7 under it, and thought that the Gold Class on its own made a better look after only washing.



Think #26 would be better for me after using AIO and swirl?
 
MansonOzz said:
What did I do wrong? I've seen some before/after pictures where people's paint has become like a mirror - I want that!
Click to expand...
As said already, I don't think you really did anything wrong... a lot of the great pictures you see here at Autopia look fantastic because:



1) Good photography

2) Darker paint colour

3) Optimal lighting conditions



Dark colours will always be more reflective than light ones, and a "neutral" red somewhat straddles the line between dark and light, so it depends sometimes. You can adjust your camera settings (if possible) to make the car look better, and try this sometime: On a sunny day, crouch on the shady side of your car with the sun shining on you and look at your reflection. It will look fantastically reflective. Just one "trick" to get that mirror effect... ;)



PCs will spin depending on how much pressure you exert on it, but its main action is to vibrate and "jiggle".



It's up to you whether you should use the #26 or not. That or BF (or both) will work after AIO. Try to make sure you get your paint as finely polished and swirl-free before you even get to AIO though, as you can't really rely on your final step products as a crutch.
 
It the paint is in good shape (which you said it was), then the AIO works more as a chemical cleaner from what I've been told. This seemed to be true after I used it.



If you want more depth and that "wet" look I would suggest the Klasse Sealant Glaze (gives it a real nice reflective mirror like look) topped with some carnuba wax (this gives it that wet look).



Worked very well for me. I have a black car and had used Zaino prior to this new process. I'm happier now since I wanted that "wet" look.
 
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