PC on my van today

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Today was the first time I used my PC on my 2 1/2 year old black dodge van. I have owned the van since new and have never used a machine on it prior to today. I tried 3M SMR first w/white pad then yellow. I did not like the results so I switched to FI-II w/yellow pad (a clean one). I worked the FI in small areas for what seemed like an eternity, until it became gummy and I started to see a shine peek thru. When I tried to wipe residue off w/MF it, of course was a PITA to wipe off. For some reason I switched to a white pad and couldn't believe what happened! The FI worked much better, less swirl marks, and the residue wiped off very easily. I didn't work it in as much either, atleast half as long with the yellow pad. Was I working it too long with the yellow pad?



Also, both of the pads were as gray/black as a finishing pad or darker. Again, this is the first time a machine has touched the paint since I bought the vehicle new (but who knows what the dealer did to it). So does that mean my clearcoat is toast? If so, what happened to it? Who took it? I want it back!!



EDIT: I did clay prior to using PC and I only worked a small area w/SMR befor switching to FI-II so the SMR pad didn't have a chance to gunk up like the FI pads.

Your comments are appreciated.
 
The change in pad color is probably due to one of the following reasons:

1. Removal of bonded contaminates

2. Use of dark colored polish



What has been done detail wise to van in the past?

Did you clay the van?



Eric
 
Dark pads were most likely a result of the product (SMR especially) than paint coming off. With a car as new as that, the odds of having the clear completely removed (especially as most people don't detail Dodge vans) by wetsanding etc. is extremely unlikely. I wouldn't worry abou it.



FI-2 can be a PITA to work with on a PC. I know the feeling.
 
ghlavaty,



I haven't tried FI-II with a white pad, but in my experience using it with a yellow pad, you need to keep working through the gummy stage until the polish is almost completely gone. Typically, the residue begins to dust up a bit at that point, but nothing terrible. If you work FI-II completely, what little residue remains will wipe off without too much effort; if I try to wipe and it's still gummy/sticky, I put the buffer back on it for another 30 seconds to a minute, then try again. (YMMV, but it's worked for me.)



I'll have to give FI-II a try with a white pad someday. I have most of a quart left that I haven't been using since I discovered 3M Machine Glaze . . . like paco said, FI-II can be a real pain with a PC.



Tort
 
Agree with Tort. When the FI2 got gummy you should have cranked up the speed, backed off the pressure, and let the pad and the product do the work. I can't explain why FI2 worked better with the white pad, I wasn't there watching so it may have been various factors. But don't forget to fully work in any polish you use in order to get the best results.
 
bretfraz said:
But don't forget to fully work in any polish you use in order to get the best results.
Click to expand...

Bret and others:

Do you consider AIO or SEC to be in the polish, (to be worked in), class or the cleaner, (apply, wipe off), class.



Charles
 
CharlesW said:
Bret and others:

Do you consider AIO or SEC to be in the polish, (to be worked in), class or the cleaner, (apply, wipe off), class.



Charles
Click to expand...
I work SEC in pretty completely when I use it . . .



Tort
 
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