rubbing compounds by hand or machine?

B

Blackmirror

New member
I have been reading about rubbing compounds on sites such as this and others(CMA, etc.) I read somewhere that rubbing compounds should only be applied by hand and not on clear coated paints. Then I read an article on CMA site about removing swirls and there were pics of the guy using a PC with 3M fine cut compound before moving to a swirl remover. I'm waiting for my pad kit to arrive and will be using my PC for the first time on my black Harley truck. I want to apply 3M Fine cut compound on some areas to remove scratches but not sure if I should do it by hand or PC.
 
You can do it with the PC. I wouldn't worry about it. You'll have to follow up behind 3M's Fine Cut with a polish as Fine Cut will leave a haze on the paint. A polish will clear it up easily though.



I've used Fine Cut on many clear coated vehicles and it doesn't hurt them. It's just a more agressive form of a polish.



Nice Choice of Truck! :up
 
Yep, 3M's Fine Cuts (like 39002 and 05399) are OK to use (by hand or PC or rotary) on clearcoats. Just follow up with something milder as Intel said.
 
Do I have to use a 50/50 alcohol/water mix to remove the compound or can I just buff it off with a charisma towel? I should be using the yellow pad for 3M fine cut right?
 
Got my pad kit today! Ready to use my pc for the first time! Should I apply the compound on the paint or the pad? If on the pad, should it be a circle or three small lines on the pad?
 
Hi Blackmirror,



I would apply the IPA solution only if the compound's not easily coming off. When I use my PC I put a few small lines of product on the paint, dab a few spots of it on the pad and smear it with the PC with pad before I turn the PC on
 
Well I tried to fix a scratch with my new PC and it does appear less noticeable unless you look at it very closely. I think I made some hairline scratches which I can't feel with my fingernail around the scratch. I used the PC in a left and right then up and down motion. Here's what I used:



yellow pad with 3M fine cut

White pad with Meguiars #9

Then AIO by hand

Finally, SG by hand using WOO method.



So how did I create the hairline scratches? Can DACP remove them? I'm gonna try that next.
 
Blackmirror:



I just recently used 3M's fine cut and found the amount of dust it created maddening, and it did't remove scratches at all? Did this happen to you?



I used PC and yellow pad too.



Sorry to ask instead of helping...



Thanks

Ricardo.
 
~One man’s opinion / observations ~



Try this article (with photographs) showing steps etc.



How to use the Porter-Cable 7424 Polisher DavidB

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-pc7424.html



~Hope this helps~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *
 
ricastm8 said:
Blackmirror:



I just recently used 3M's fine cut and found the amount of dust it created maddening, and it did't remove scratches at all? Did this happen to you?



I used PC and yellow pad too.



Sorry to ask instead of helping...



Thanks

Ricardo.
Click to expand...





That happened to me so I havent used the stuff in over a year. Maybe once I begin my rotary experimenting Ill try it and see how well it works that way.
 
You folks who aren't getting the results you expect from the 3M RC (sounds like you're using 39002) with the yellow pad- are you using it at speed 6? If so, then maybe your paints hardness and the severity of your marring means you're gonna need a rotary (or at least a Cyclo). There's a real limit to what a PC can do.





Blackmirror- Sorry to hear you're having trouble. I'd use the FCRC with a white pad before switching to the #9. I almost *always* follow a cutting pad with the same product on a polishing pad when using the PC/Cyclo (unless I'm using something *very* aggressive).



If you're still removing product with Charismas, that sounds like the source of your hairline scratches, I use *very* soft, plush MFs instead (I used to use Charismas too). I'm assuming you work the FCRC until it's broken down/almost gone to powder (and yeah, it makes plenty of that). If the residue won't wipe off easily, use some Meg's #34. More lubricity than plain alcohol mixes.
 
Accumulator said:
You folks who aren't getting the results you expect from the 3M RC (sounds like you're using 39002) with the yellow pad- are you using it at speed 6? If so, then maybe your paints hardness and the severity of your marring means you're gonna need a rotary (or at least a Cyclo). There's a real limit to what a PC can do.
Click to expand...





Yes Accumulator,



That's the one and even by wool pad and PC on 6 iy wouldn't make progress---this was on my previous car, black Maxima. I'm certain that car in its entirety needed a rotary. I'm very anxious to try the FC RC on scrap. As a matter of fact, I just got word I may be able to get access to a whole hood to go nuts on! :D I would just have to travel back and forth to it.
 
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