Layering LSP (4*UPP) - by hand or PC??

S

smprince1

New member
I am new to detailing and this forum, but it seems to me by reading these threads there is a common belief that it is necessary to apply 2nd or 3rd coats of LSP by hand instead of PC. Although it was only my first try with the PC and 4* UPP, I found the PC worked very well to apply the product. The PC spread it very evenly, very thin, and was very quick to cover my entire truck.

Does using the PC for subsequent LSP layers really remove or damage the earlier layer(s)?

Why not just use the PC but at a low speed to apply the subsequent layers?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
smprince1 said:
I am new to detailing and this forum, but it seems to me by reading these threads there is a common belief that it is necessary to apply 2nd or 3rd coats of LSP by hand instead of PC. Although it was only my first try with the PC and 4* UPP, I found the PC worked very well to apply the product. The PC spread it very evenly, very thin, and was very quick to cover my entire truck.

Does using the PC for subsequent LSP layers really remove or damage the earlier layer(s)?

Why not just use the PC but at a low speed to apply the subsequent layers?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help.
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It's not necessary to apply a second coat of anything, it will just help ensure complete coverage (this is my belief). I believe that there's a point where it's not feasible to layer anymore.

I also think that using a PC to apply the first layer will give you a thin even coat. After that I think it's best to go by hand. This is just my opinion on the matter and I am probably not 100% correct. But it really comes down to finding what you like and doing it.
 
IMHO, when you apply subseqent layers of any LSP with a PC with a polishing (least abrasive) pad, whether it's carnauba, polymer, or acrylic, a portion of the underlying product will be removed.

I'm not qualified to say if you'll remove 1%, 8%, or 25% of the underlying layer & I don't know how you'd measure but Steve (Poorboy) replied to a DC thread that something will be removed.

Something like applying a second layer with a PC will result in 1.75 layers, a third layer will result in 2.66 layers and so on.

You're retaining more LSP product on the surface with each additional layer, but not as much as you think.

When it comes to polymers & acrylics, I think 3 layers is about the max. Any more and you're just enteraining yourself with something productive to do.

I think the important factor is the pad on the PC, definitely go with a polishing pad (least abrasive cutting ability).
 
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I believe there is a finishing pad that is less abrasive than a polishing pad. I am pretty sure I have one, but I could be wrong. It might be the idiot in me coming out.
 
There is a finishing pad available from Meguiar's and I have used it to apply UPP first coat, second coat, what have you. I have also done some or all coats by hand at times.
FWIW, I don't think I can tell any difference in how I applied it. Kind of "do what ever works for you", IMO. :)

Charles
 
:yeah
I have gone back and forth ...
First coat by hand and second and third by PC
First coat by PC and second and third by hand
Hard to reach areas by hand and everything else with PC
You know what? I cannot tell a difference in longevity or looks with UPP.
NXT is a different story because it looks better applied with the PC ...
I know it has some cleaning abilities and I don't know if I am removing the previous layer or not.
UPP is applied with a finishing pad
NXT with a polishing pad
Just my .02
 
I meant to say "finishing" pad .... (L)ast (S)urface (P)roduct would probably be applied with a finishing (last used) pad.

I was at work & had a brain cramp, all I could think of was "use a LC gray pad" but Meg's, Edge, and others use different color/abrasiveness schemes.

In my mind, grey = last pad used and I didn't want to arbitrarily say "and use a gray pad" for layering.
 
NYV6Coupe said:
I meant to say "finishing" pad .... (L)ast (S)urface (P)roduct would probably be applied with a finishing (last used) pad.

I was at work & had a brain cramp, all I could think of was "use a LC gray pad" but Meg's, Edge, and others use different color/abrasiveness schemes.

In my mind, grey = last pad used and I didn't want to arbitrarily say "and use a gray pad" for layering.
Click to expand...
It probably wasn't a problem for most.
Your idea of describing pads by use rather than by color is quite helpful. Like you said, there doesn't seem to be much relationship between color and use among manufacturers.

Charles
 
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