Applying AIO via PC.

Tasty

New member
I know there has been some discussion on this, but I don't recall seeing a process or definitive answer on the forums. When you apply AIO with the PC how should it be done? I know the key is small amounts on the paint, but when trying that with a pad if you are buffing with a dry pad you will induce marring. Should I put a whole bunch on the pad at first to get it going? Spray it on the pad mixed with water? Help!
 
Mist pad with water and use a finishing pad, put product on pad and mush it around, maybe a quarter sized drop per panel. It takes more product than by hand, but it cleans a lot better. It all depends, if the paint isn't that bad do it by hand, if it's been a long time use PC IMO.
 
I did another car today with AIO via PC @ about 4.5 with a Sonus green (polishing) pad. It takes swirls away. Light swirls, mind you, but it does actually remove very light swirls. Or hide them, I don't know, but it works for me. I usually end up using a LOT more than I'd ever use by hand and it won't replace a claying or hand-application to trouble spots, but it does work nicely for me.



I'll post up over in Click N Brag shortly.
 
I used AIO for the very first time the other day.



I noticed it removed some very light swirls .



Did AIO actually removed these swirls or did it fill them? Does AIO contain any fillers or oils?
 
Tasty said:
I know there has been some discussion on this, but I don't recall seeing a process or definitive answer on the forums. When you apply AIO with the PC how should it be done? I know the key is small amounts on the paint, but when trying that with a pad if you are buffing with a dry pad you will induce marring. Should I put a whole bunch on the pad at first to get it going? Spray it on the pad mixed with water? Help!



I applied AIO by PC on my Accord over Memorial Day weekend, and it was SO easy. You definitely don't want to use a dry pad ... the directions for AIO specify a DAMP applicator. I misted a Propel Blue polishing pad with some water, applied a couple nickel size amounts of AIO around the pad, spread it around on the paint with the PC off, then worked it in well at a speed of 3-4 until almost no residue was left. After finishing the panel, I buffed it off with a MF. A little more product on the pad and then next section.



With the PC, I was able to spread the product pretty thin and never had a problem buffing the residue off. I probably didn't use more than 1 oz. total on the car. The whole process was really rather easy, and I really didn't think too much about it. :D I also applied AIO by PC to my headlights, taillights, side and rear windows, and moonroof. For the side-view mirrors, the plastic windshield trim, and other miscellaneous pieces, I used a foam applicator pad and applied it by hand.



You can get some good info by searching the forums here using the terms AIO and PC* ... and there's also some good info here.
 
plazaman said:
I used AIO for the very first time the other day.



I noticed it removed some very light swirls .



Did AIO actually removed these swirls or did it fill them? Does AIO contain any fillers or oils?



No fillers. AIO has no abrasives either so any removal probably occured from the abrasiveness of the pad itself.
 
I use the Blue DAS foam pad and the PC set to about 4. I think it cleans better by machine than by hand, and after working it in very briefly the residue seems easier to remove than when hand applied. I can also spread it thinner by machine than by hand.



Usually I slightly dampen the pad with water, but don't soak it or get it totally wet. Drizzle a very thin circle of AIO around the pad, dab it around the panel and then spread with the machine on.



I don't find it fills any swirls, but it does clean well and leave a high gloss ready for LSP.
 
maecrispy said:
No fillers. AIO has no abrasives either so any removal probably occured from the abrasiveness of the pad itself.



AIO does have some diminishing abrasives--eventhough it is mostly a chemical cleaner, it is also a very light polish as well as a protectant. As I recall, a post from someone using a microscope to check for abrasives did indeed confirm they are present in AIO.



This is the post I am referring to about abrasives in AIO



http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53856&highlight=microscope+AIO
 
Note that plenty of products contain "abrasives", but are *functionally* nonabrasive when used on automotive paint. All a matter of how hard the paint is and the aggressiveness of the application method.



AIO always makes marring *more* noticeable on my vehicles, but that doesn't mean it'll behave that way across the board. And some people don't see marring very well when a surface is shiny, especially metallic paint under fluorescent light, so AIO can give both different results and different *perceived* results.
 
chml17l said:
AIO does have some diminishing abrasives--eventhough it is mostly a chemical cleaner, it is also a very light polish as well as a protectant. As I recall, a post from someone using a microscope to check for abrasives did indeed confirm they are present in AIO.



This is the post I am referring to about abrasives in AIO



http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53856&highlight=microscope+AIO



Interesting as that completely contradicts the AIO description that is used for marketing:



http://reviews.autopia.org/censura.php?cmd=details&itemid=33
 
Get a small clear plastic spray bottle. Walmart has 1.5 oz spritz bottles in the beauty section. You can put ~1 oz. in the bottle and it will help you gage how much AIO/SG you apply as you go around the vehicle. You can either spray onto a mf pad or I recommend using a mf bonnet on the PC. Using the PC in this way will help you apply a very thin layer of sealant.
 
Accumulator said:
Note that plenty of products contain "abrasives", but are *functionally* nonabrasive when used on automotive paint. All a matter of how hard the paint is and the aggressiveness of the application method.



AIO always makes marring *more* noticeable on my vehicles, but that doesn't mean it'll behave that way across the board. And some people don't see marring very well when a surface is shiny, especially metallic paint under fluorescent light, so AIO can give both different results and different *perceived* results.



Accumulator: I think that statement is true of many products and processes though. It all depends what you are working on I guess. My GMC hood that I polished 3 months ago with SSR 2.5 needed polishing again today. The spiderwebs and swirls were noticeable in sunlight to even the untrained eye. I don't know if it was my process or the product. Anyway, I digress: AIO is wonderful to me. I used it today on "chromed" plastic and it melted away the waterspots and such like magic. Then tried it on the plastic grill area, and it gave it a deeper shine, and brought out the metallic that I didn't even know was there. Amazing stuff. I then put a coat of SG on the hood and another coat of SG on the roof.
 
The argument can go on about AIO and if it containts abrasives.... But personally, it works great for me. Removed very light swirls and left the suface very smooth, ready for my LSP
 
chml17l said:
Get a small clear plastic spray bottle. Walmart has 1.5 oz spritz bottles in the beauty section. You can put ~1 oz. in the bottle and it will help you gage how much AIO/SG you apply as you go around the vehicle. You can either spray onto a mf pad or I recommend using a mf bonnet on the PC. Using the PC in this way will help you apply a very thin layer of sealant.

Would a spray bottle actually process the semi-thick compound of AIO?
 
chml17l said:
Yes, it is water-based and sprays well without clogging even a fine mist sprayer like I use.

Thanks for the tip. I'll need to go out and purchase some of these sprayer bottles from K-mart. Sounds like it would make for much easier application than squeezing the bottle and getting drip drags. :xyxthumbs
 
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