polishing small areas

[trhland]

how do you guys compound and polish those small contured areas on cars were you cant get a buffer to fit? thanks

 

[Accumulator]

Number of things that'll work: you can use the edge of a large pad (be very careful doing this with a rotary, it's not too risky by PC), you can use a small pad if it'll fit, or you can do it by hand. Gotta use the right product when doing stuff like this by hand though, and it can take a very long time (ever spend an hour doing the area behind *one* door handle ).

 

[Zrex61]

Use 3in pads on a mini buffer...

 

[IBStoney1]

Use 3in pads on a mini buffer...

Mini buffer and 3inch pads, make of machine, where, cost.

Quality of buffer and pads?

:think2 Time and finger saver. :think2

 

[Eliot Ness]

Mini buffer and 3inch pads, make of machine, where, cost.

Quality of buffer and pads?......

Autogeek sells a spot buff kit that comes with 4" pads and a 2 3/4" BP that can be used with a drill, PC, or rotary:



http://www.autogeek.net/4inch-spot-buffs.html



The kit is made by LC so the pads seem pretty good, but the only one I have used from that kit is the finish pad and it performed as I expected. I haven't used these pads on a drill yet, but I have used something similar from Eastwood to polish out a brake booster after I painted/wet sanded it, and it worked great.... so I expect these pads to work even better on a drill than what I used from Eastwood.

 

[BigAl3]

patrick at exceldetail has some 4" pads and backing plate as well! http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=56101 :up

 

[Accumulator]

IIRC Griot's has a pneumatic buffer and 3" pad setup, which means somebody else probably has it cheaper.

 

[imported_smprince1]

- 4" pads, either with PC or by hand

- for very tight or highly contoured areas, by hand with terry covered foam pad/applicator

 

[Zrex61]

IIRC Griot's has a pneumatic buffer and 3" pad setup, which means somebody else probably has it cheaper.

Astro....



www.autobodytoolmart.com



direct link:

http://www.autotoolmart.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=9793&p_catid=225



also:

http://www.autotoolmart.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=9584&p_catid=225



or Chicago Pneumatic:

http://www.autotoolmart.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=11335&p_catid=322

 

[Accumulator]

Zrex61- Ah, good find :xyxthumbs



Now I wonder where one might find an assortment of pads. The 1.5" plate that comes with the one unit would open up even more possibilities. I suppose cutting up larger pads is an option (the way some of us used to do for the Cyclo), but a range of smaller ones would be good..



I generally don't like pneumatic polishers, but this might be handy.

 

[Zrex61]

Zrex61- Ah, good find :xyxthumbs



Now I wonder where one might find an assortment of pads.

http://www.buffandshine.com/



I have the small backing pad, sheepskin & 2 foam pad kit from them..... that cost about $28.00....

They also do all the usual pads etc....

 

[Accumulator]

Am I missing something the ones I see at that link are 6" and larger.

 

[Zrex61]

Hmm.. I had a look around the site & they don't list the ones I bought from them.....I thought they were listed...

The part #'s on mine are:

#330G yellow foam polishing pad

#320G black foam finishing pad

#SKG3 sheepskin pad

#358 3in backing plate (same thread as the Dewalt 849 etc)





The kit is # TP-358

 

[IBStoney1]

The knowledge and research that has been done by you folks is incredible and I have another question for these “tight spots�. Currently I have been using the small Mothers Power Ball on my drill and I have had very good results - you must remember to use the proper pressure and speed for that sparkly finish we are after. Now it is time for me to go back and read all the links that have been posted. Many thanks :hifive: :2thumbs: You Rock!

 

[Accumulator]

Zrex61- Thanks for the additional info, appreciate it.