PC Help

A

! apmljv

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How do you guys use the PC when it comes to uneven surface? Places such as side above the wheel well, trunk, and front bumper? It seems kinda hard to lift the PC up to use the side when it's spinning...



Thanks~
 
It gets easier to use the PC in those spots with experience (sheesh, that probably sounds like a cop-out answer :o ). Be careful NOT to have too much product on the pad or you'll sling it everywhere. You can always do such spots by hand, but *I* use the edge of the pad for everywhere I can reach with it. I'll sometimes compress the pad pretty much (by putting some pressure on it), too. *I* find that the bigger the pad, the easier all this is, but others feel exactly the opposite!
 
As Accumulator said, it gets easier to use the more you use it.

I have a lot of nooks & crannies on my 4Runner, but I am able to do the whole rig with it now, including the ARB bumper up front.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/pics/bos_4_27_2003/9.jpg



I use to have to resort to using a rag in a few spots to put the wax on, but have gotten pretty good with the unit that it's really easy now to use it on the whole rig.
 
Studying under Uncle Brad and Uncle Accumulator, I've now had a couple of shots at situations like yours. I was working to polish a resprayed area. The PC with yellow pad (the big pad that sticks out beyond the backing plate) worked well for me, but the first time I tried it, I got down too far and worked back down to the original paint. Bore down too hard, apparently because maybe the pad generates more "energy" when you're just using an edge of it. Like Accumulator said, the pad margin gives you some "forgiveness factor." This time (like, in the next couple of hours), I'm going to go gentler when using the edge of the pad.



Also, like Accumulator suggested, cover the car parts that you're not polishing (I use old sheets) so you don't sling product to Kingdom Come. And tape-off the rubber/metal trim that you aren't polishing.



As to your base question, try to keep the PC "in plane" with the main part you're polishing, so you don't go too deep on the vulnerable edges.
 
Ditto to what Accumulator and Lynn have said.



Don't be afraid to use the edge of the pad, but be careful of the pressure and how much product you have on the pad. Any time you dont have the whole pad down on the car, you gotta be sure you've worked the product in fairly well so it won't splatter.
 
Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciated. It seems that whenever I "tried" to use the edge, I get all the polish all over even if I use 4 dime drop at each corner of the pad. Also, burning the paint is what I initially worry about -_-
 
Note that Lynn HAS cut through paint with the PC. This is a cautionary tale that everyone should listen to. SO many people say you can't do it, be she has, and I have (that's how I know my Volvo has black primer). I'm the guy who says "you can't hurt a car with the PC unless you drop the PC on the car", but actually, you CAN. One of these days I'm gonna start a new thread on this very topic.



Jliao- If slinging is still a problem, do those areas FIRST, with less product on the pad. Like Magellan498 said, work the (smaller amount of) product INTO the pad before using it (I almost ALWAYS do this anyhow). Start on a place where the pad's flat enough NOT to sling, then move over to your trouble spot.
 
I'm using the red Griot's pads.



I use to use the bigger yellow pads from Meguiar's, but I find the shorter Griot's pad to be superior.



I have never had to use the edge of it though, and just use it mainly flat on the rig.

Good to know that you should use caution if you have to use the edge of it.
 
I'm hoping folks with more experience will chime-in here. But my gut reaction is: if the 6.5" pads can burn thru paint (as mine did), then the 4" pads will vibrate even more quickly. While I'm tempted to use them to get into tight spaces ... I'm dubious. :( But I'm waiting to hear from veteran Autopians.
 
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