How do you use you PC?

ashsarna

New member
Do you go a figure 8 one way then again the othr wy. Or do you go straight up an down then straght left and righ? Does it make a difference?
 
I just go straight up and down or left and right (usually left and right). I wouldn't see any harm in doing a figure 8 pattern, as long as you don't miss spots. Ultimately I don't think it matters, whatever works best for you- for me, simpler is better and faster.
 
jdhutchin said:
.....whatever works best for you- for me, simpler is better and faster.

Same here, I start left/right, then up/down, finish left/right. If thats suffice, terrific. If not, I start the process over again and may change movement speed as well as PC speed. Although I usually use the PC at 6 about 95% of the time.....
 
LOL good point I do like to start at 4 to at least spread the polish but 6 is the only way to go. You always have to crank it up in order for it to work right.



DSVWGLI said:
Left to right then up and down, a couple of times on speed 6. Is there any other speed than 6 ;)
 
manuels_madness said:
LOL good point I do like to start at 4 to at least spread the polish but 6 is the only way to go. You always have to crank it up in order for it to work right.





ain't that the truth. If your trying to do any correction work and your PC is not on speed 6, I think your wasting your time, unless you are working with SS paint or soft clear.
 
I start it by spreading the polish around at speed 3, then when the area is covered, I hit up speed 6 and go left/right up/down until its broken down.
 
I go left to right and then up and down - not because doing a figure of 8 will cause any problems, I just find it easier to ensure all areas are covered using this technqiue...



While speed 6 is good for a number of polishes, I would avoid using speed 6 with any of the Meguiars #80-series polishes - the higher speed dries the polush out too quickly and it doesn't have a chance to fully break down... Speed 5 only, several slow pases with medium pressure (we're talking five + passes here at least). These polishes take a long time to break down thoroughly and high speeds dry them before they've had a chance to properly break down.
 
Yeah, even though I am new to the PC stuff (believe it or not I was doing all by hand the prior 6 yrs :o ), I feel alot more comfortable/confident doing it up-down and left-right. The reason I asked was that on the CMA site their writeup says they use the figure 8.



By the way, I am using a Dewalt 443 and the extra power over the pc is very welcomed.
 
Everything I've researched (and done) suggests using the PC left to right, then up and down with about a 50% overlap. Speed depends on the product. You usually want a slower speed to initially spread the product (3-4). If you're using polish, you'll need faster speeds (5-6) to break the polish down. Depending on the situation, you may need to experiment with product and pad selection. Some here even mix products for desired results (e.g. the cutting power of one product - the lubrication and work time of another).

Also, move the PC slowly across the work surface as there can be a tendancy to move too quickly.

If you are using a finishing pad to apply an LSP (last step product), I use 3-4 and move slowly.



(note: I think the figure 8 method is most often recommended for rotary use.)
 
I spread the polish at 4 until it flashes, then crank it right up to 6. I use 3M exclusively and while it does dust, it is extremely effective at speed 6. Depending on severity, left right up down usually works...but an extra pass or two diagonally is also sometimes required.



BTW my routine is 3M FCRC cutting pad, 3M PI III MG polish pad - this is for moderate to heavy paint correction.
 
Back
Top