Pros using PCs for full details-Question

[mikenap]

I guess really this question would be directed to anyone with a lot of PC experience, but I'm curious how certain pros do it. I know some like gmblack, David Fermani and scottwax will do details using only a PC or G110.



My issue is every time I get to spots where a vertical panel meets a horizontal, specifically where a front fascia or trunk lid meets the bumper, I can't get far enough into that bumper because the edge of my pad starts hitting the vertical panel. When this happens, the pad slows down considerably and the pad is essentially dry-buffing a small part of the adjacent panel. So only half the bumper gets polished and the remainder looks like crap still. Short of hand polishing the innermost part of bumpers and similar panels, how do you guys do it? I could see a rotary getting in there just fine, but I don't have (or want) access to one and even that wouldn't solve the edge of the pad dry-buffing a small part of the vertical, right? Any help would be appreciated. TIA

 

[gmblack3]

When working in these tight areas, I always prime the side edge of the pad too. That way no dry buffing. If the area is extremely tight, I use a 4" flat LC orange pad. If you are still uncomfortable tape the adjacent panel.

 

[mikenap]

Thanks for the tip on priming the edge Bryan. How do you work around the pad slowing down when it hits the vertical panel? I always use speed 6 and marked my backing plate to make sure it spins and as soon as it contacts the vertical panel, it slows to a crawl. My bumper isn't very big because even when hitting that adjacent panel, a 4" pad isn't fully on the bumper. Could that play a part in it?

 

[Dubbin1]

Thanks for the tip on priming the edge Bryan. How do you work around the pad slowing down when it hits the vertical panel? I always use speed 6 and marked my backing plate to make sure it spins and as soon as it contacts the vertical panel, it slows to a crawl. My bumper isn't very big because even when hitting that adjacent panel, a 4" pad isn't fully on the bumper. Could that play a part in it?

I'm guessing you're using the old PC7424 or the G110, if that's the case then there really isn't a whole lot you can do to keep it from slowing down short of upgrading to a better DA.

 

[mikenap]

I'm guessing you're using the old PC7424 or the G110, if that's the case then there really isn't a whole lot you can do to keep it from slowing down short of upgrading to a better DA.

No, it's an XP less than a year old.

 

[SSizzlin']

Even the "powerful" Griot's ROP comes to a crawl when it hits an edge of a panel(I've used it). This is where forced rotation DA's(Makita BO6040, Festool 150 FEQ, Flex3401) are really useful!

 

[craigdt]

I'm guessing you're using the old PC7424 or the G110, if that's the case then there really isn't a whole lot you can do to keep it from slowing down short of upgrading to a better DA.

The G110 is closer to the XP than it is to the old PC.

 

[mikenap]

Even the "powerful" Griot's ROP comes to a crawl when it hits an edge of a panel(I've used it). This is where forced rotation DA's(Makita BO6040, Festool 150 FEQ, Flex3401) are really useful!

Yeah, I've found this out the hard way. But I know these guys are making it work, and I'm curious what tricks they would be willing to share.

 

[SSizzlin']

Yeah, I've found this out the hard way. But I know these guys are making it work, and I'm curious what tricks they would be willing to share.

Exactly, maybe there's some special techniques you can try. :2thumbs:

 

[Scottwax]

I guess really this question would be directed to anyone with a lot of PC experience, but I'm curious how certain pros do it. I know some like scottwax will do details using only a PC or G110.

I still use my rotary for most corrections...



You need a smaller backing plate and pad to get into tight areas and like Bryan said, prime the edge of the pad too. Just be careful because if any part of the car is susceptible to damage from a DA polisher, it is tight areas of the bumper because the heat builds up fast.