Applying Pressure with a Rotary
- Thread starter Loggie31
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T
TOGWT
Guest
Whatever it takes to compress the foam 50%
Factors that affect foam - compression, tensile strength, density, velocity; are some of the factors that affect a foams abrasive (cutting) ability, these factors all affect the flexibility of the foam under pressure and torque
Types of foam - non-reticulated foam are more abrasive, reticulated foam are relatively less abrasive and is less dense than polymerized foam; due to this density the polish provides the abrasive ability as opposed to the foams composition
? Compression / Rebound - compression load deflection is the measurement of how long the foam takes to regain shape after under certain pressure, foam pads should be compressed to no more than approx 50% of its thickness
? Tensile strength ? the strength of a material refers to the material's ability to resist an applied force
? Density - provides a protective cushion allowing foam compression to maintain constant surface pressure and it also lessens machine vibration. It also affects the amount of polish the pad will hold; foams that hold a high volume of product allows the polish to do the cutting, as opposed to the abrasiveness of the foam.
? Velocity - pad velocity is substantially increased with a larger diameter pad, increased velocity will increase abrasive capability at the outer edge of the pad.
Factors that affect foam - compression, tensile strength, density, velocity; are some of the factors that affect a foams abrasive (cutting) ability, these factors all affect the flexibility of the foam under pressure and torque
Types of foam - non-reticulated foam are more abrasive, reticulated foam are relatively less abrasive and is less dense than polymerized foam; due to this density the polish provides the abrasive ability as opposed to the foams composition
? Compression / Rebound - compression load deflection is the measurement of how long the foam takes to regain shape after under certain pressure, foam pads should be compressed to no more than approx 50% of its thickness
? Tensile strength ? the strength of a material refers to the material's ability to resist an applied force
? Density - provides a protective cushion allowing foam compression to maintain constant surface pressure and it also lessens machine vibration. It also affects the amount of polish the pad will hold; foams that hold a high volume of product allows the polish to do the cutting, as opposed to the abrasiveness of the foam.
? Velocity - pad velocity is substantially increased with a larger diameter pad, increased velocity will increase abrasive capability at the outer edge of the pad.
An extract from one of a series of in-depth detailing articles ? TOGWT ? Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved.
Applying Pressure
Thanks TOGWT I think. I'll be using the LC CCS Oragne Power Pads and White with my Mikita. I would guess that maybe 10 lbs would suffice. Kind of hard to view the pad sideways judging a 50% usage. I figure as long as I keep the slow at 1300 rpms that I won't generate enough heat to burn or take off the paint. I'll be as careful as I am with my portor cable 7424.
Thanks TOGWT I think. I'll be using the LC CCS Oragne Power Pads and White with my Mikita. I would guess that maybe 10 lbs would suffice. Kind of hard to view the pad sideways judging a 50% usage. I figure as long as I keep the slow at 1300 rpms that I won't generate enough heat to burn or take off the paint. I'll be as careful as I am with my portor cable 7424.
T
TOGWT
Guest
10 - 15 Lbs seems to be about right to compress most pads
Todd@RUPES
Just a regular guy
Are you using a Makita or Porter Cable ROB?
The amount of pressure you are going to use with a rotary is going to be a combination of what you feel comfotable with and your goals. There is no optimum amount of pressure to use, IME, because there are too many variables.
I remember reading guides on other forums that have stated (and I have heard it repeated ad nausem) that you should never use pressure when using a rotary polisher. I personally disagree with this statement 100% and personally use a lot of pressure with a rotary.
Start with just the weight of the machine and increase pressure on subsequent passes to you find what you feel comfortable with.
Increasing RPM and/or pressure is going to increase the mechanical action, and thus, increase the heat generated. Modern clear coats will withstand a fair amount of heat before they 'burn' but when you increase the mechanical action, you are still removing paint at a faster rate.
If in doubt, err on the side of caution. Pressure is just another tool, or variable, that rotary users have to tweek the performance of the pad on that paint, with that polish.
Best of luck and feel free to post or PM me if you have any questions!
Todd
SwirlBFree
New member
Wouldn't you would want to use less pressure with a cutting pad? 50% compression using a cutting pad combined with a rotary's direct drive motion would veer to some aggressive correction and possible hologramming, wouldn't it? Is the recommendation for 50% pad compression directed more towards polishing pads?
T
TOGWT
Guest
As TH0001 is suggesting there is no 'hard & fast' rules to apply as to the applied pressure or anything else. They are just something to 'start' from
Factors that affect foam - compression, tensile strength, density, velocity; are some of the things that affect a foams abrasive (cutting) ability, these factors all affect the flexibility of the foam under pressure and torque; and the abrasion or cutting ability of a foam pad relative to its composition.
The work is approximately distributed, 60% product, 30% foam composition (density, pores per inch (PPI)) and 10% pressure applied and/or speed of rotation or oscillation.
Factors that affect foam - compression, tensile strength, density, velocity; are some of the things that affect a foams abrasive (cutting) ability, these factors all affect the flexibility of the foam under pressure and torque; and the abrasion or cutting ability of a foam pad relative to its composition.
The work is approximately distributed, 60% product, 30% foam composition (density, pores per inch (PPI)) and 10% pressure applied and/or speed of rotation or oscillation.
Thanks Guys, I'll be using my Makita 9227 with the orange and white CCS and Menzerna products. I got the idea, start light and apply more as I go along. I was thinking about using my porter cable but it takes to long and I just wanter to give my Makita a spin to lesson the time.
Todd@RUPES
Just a regular guy
Hey Loggie, just to be clear, CMA (as well as super reputable companies such as Meguiar's) has always recommended final polishing with a less aggressive pad then a white pad when final polishing with a rotary polisher.
A stiffer, light cut pad with no realitve mechanical action is going to give you the best chances at getting a true hologram free finish. This isn't to say that you cannot get a hologram free, super high gloss, finish with a white pad, but you chances are much greater with a gray pad on a wider variety of paints.
As far as using the rotary, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Todd