Frequent DA rubbing or once yearly?

[CamrySE]

I've been detailing older finishes for some time, but have not worked with any of the new paints/cars out there.



My question is how often to you all use the DA to "rub out" the paint...is there a point of diminishing returns?



I normally use mine on #3 or lower with a buffing pad, or 2 with an orange cut pad.



Thanks



Final thing...this is for my own 2010 Camry SE (RED)

 

[imported_detail1]

The less u touch the paint, the better off u r. U really want to make sure that your wash technique is marr- free so u wont have to buff to remove any defects. Make sure u use a good wash media and preferably dry with a blower or soft MF towel.

Frequently rinse your wash media.



If the car is garaged, u can buff less. If u dont use the car in the winter u can buff less.



If u get your wash technique really good, u can do 2 light buffings- 1 in the fall and 1 in the spring or summer. I like to use Menzerna FPII. After this u can use Menzerna PO85RD to jewel the paint. U can always purchase a paint meter- i bought the Hghline II- about $225.



It also depends on how defect free u want your paint.

Frequent washes will reduce marring. Use a good wax and u will be ok.

 

[Accumulator]

I've been detailing older finishes for some time, but have not worked with any of the new paints/cars out there.



My question is how often to you all use the DA to "rub out" the paint...is there a point of diminishing returns?

Welcome to Autopia!



Many people here use DA/RO polishes for that, some of us use rotaries also/instead.



But yeah...machine polishing.



The "diminishing returns" thing is harder to answer as every job is different. If there's sufficient paint thickness to work with, and also a good chance that such work won't need to be done very often, then some people will go for a level of perfection that's pretty amazing (virtually perfect under specialized lighting and even magnification). Normally, I'd expect to remove most of the clearly visible defects, leaving only those RIDS (Random Isolated Deep Scratches) that are too deep for safe removal.

I normally use mine on #3 or lower with a buffing pad, or 2 with an orange cut pad.

I suppose different polishers will have different settings, but I use higher setting than that on my DA/RO polishers.



What polisher are you using and with what products?



Referring to the title of the thread, IMO if you have to polish out marring more than once a year then something's wrong (almost certainly with the wash technique). I'm a bit of a fanatic about my washes, but in my case I'm sorely disappointed if I have to polish every year. Some random isolated marks are bound to happen, but overall a vehicle oughta stay very, very nice for a good long time.