PC question....

H

heffergm

New member
I seem to keep reading that one of the keys with the PC is to move it very slowly as you're working a polish.

The other day I was trying out SSR2.5 with an orange light cut pad, and I found that when I moved very slowly, with the speed on about 5, I ended up with a TON of micromarring. I was having a fit trying to get rid of it, until I finally ended up (still with SSR2.5) running the PC at about 4.5 and moving it much more quickly (which is to say maybe 3 inches a second or so... not ultra fast, just controlled and a lot quicker than the one inch per second I seem to see recommended). Voila... no more micromarring.

So I'm a bit confused as to whether I'm doing something wrong... I'm still having trouble deciding exactly how long to work the polish. Especially in direct sun, SSR seems to dry up really quickly. A few passes and I can feel the pad grabbing the paint. I ended up using more product that I thought was appropriate so I could work it a bit longer.
 
If you had no micro marring using your method stick with it.

I work SSR2.5 slowly. If there is micro marring go to SSR 1 to clean all that up and give your self a nice finish for your LSP.
 
well what speed are you using??? 4.5 is pretty slow for polishing.. when i use the PC i will go at least 5 if not keep it a 6. with 2.5 and a cutting pad one a dark color you need to finish up with a final polish I wouldn't expect a perfect finish.(even with 2.5 and a polishing pad I used SSR1)
 
holland_patrick said:
well what speed are you using??? 4.5 is pretty slow for polishing.. when i use the PC i will go at least 5 if not keep it a 6. with 2.5 and a cutting pad one a dark color you need to finish up with a final polish I wouldn't expect a perfect finish.(even with 2.5 and a polishing pad I used SSR1)
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You might want to re-read the original post, where I mention what speeds I was using.
 
A lot of people have found that working SSR2.5 in for a long period of time, speeds 5.5-6 with a Polishing pad works best with the 2.5. Steve recommends that you use a polishing pad (or finishing), if not, you'll get the mircro-marring. Read the sticky in the PB forum for the proper amount to use.
 
Yeah, read the sticky. The problem I have with that is, if I use the amount Steve indicates over an area he indicates (i.e. half a hood/roof, or all of a quarter panel, etc) there's no way I could work the polish for more than a pass or two before it's dried out.

That being said, thanks for the suggestion about the pad. I'll try skipping the cutting pad and just working with the polishing.
 
SSR2.5 with an orange pad is a pretty strong combo. I would say you're likely to get buffer haze with that no matter what. It's not a big deal though. All you need to do to remove it is follow up with SSR1 on a polishing pad.

I haven't tried any of the PB's polishes yet except for Pro Polish. However, I know when I use Menzerna Intensive Polish which is similar in cut to SSR2.5 along with a cutting pad that I get buffer haze. This is easily removed with a polishing pad and Menzerna Finishing Polish II which is similar to SSR1.
 
heffergm said:
You might want to re-read the original post, where I mention what speeds I was using.
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that was kinda retorical.. as you noted i said 4.5 is slow.. i did read your post and i did comment on your speed. I was giving you the benift of answering that you might have bumped it up after.. but if you read mine i told you what speed i normally polish..
 
While everyone has their own opinion, I personally don't use any pad more aggressive than a polishing pad with the PC.
Many people do and with good results, but I have never felt the need for a cutting pad and I have never had any marring. I may have to work the product a little longer with a polishing pad, but I think that is a good trade off for not having any marring. It takes some time to remove that marring so the time difference probably isn't all that much.
The suggestion to "use the least aggressive product needed", seemed to apply to the pads as well.

I think I remember reading something about Meguiar's not really recommending their cutting pad for use with the PC. Since I use mostly Meg's pads, I never bothered to buy a cutting pad. There again, I mostly just take care of my own family or friends vehicles and they usually aren't in too bad of shape.

Charles
 
CharlesW said:
While everyone has their own opinion, I personally don't use any pad more aggressive than a polishing pad with the PC.
Many people do and with good results, but I have never felt the need for a cutting pad and I have never had any marring. I may have to work the product a little longer with a polishing pad, but I think that is a good trade off for not having any marring. It takes some time to remove that marring so the time difference probably isn't all that much.
The suggestion to "use the least aggressive product needed", seemed to apply to the pads as well.

I think I remember reading something about Meguiar's not really recommending their cutting pad for use with the PC. Since I use mostly Meg's pads, I never bothered to buy a cutting pad. There again, I mostly just take care of my own family or friends vehicles and they usually aren't in too bad of shape.

Charles
Click to expand...

Good point. My limited experience has indicated that I don't typically like to work with anything beyond a polishing pad on the PC. I can work with with the light cutting pad, but I don't really like to. I think I'll likely just stick with a polishing pad any vary the product, rather than vary the pad.
 
One last thing to add.... Make sure your polishing pad is dry. IMO, and based on my use, the orange pad is what created the marring.
 
CharlesW said:
I think I remember reading something about Meguiar's not really recommending their cutting pad for use with the PC.
Click to expand...
I did a quick search over at MOL and found the comment by Mike Phillips about Meg's not recommending their cutting pad with the PC.
Actually, several threads had discussion about cutting pad use and the gist of them is "Meguiar's doesn't recommend it".
I used the keywords cutting pad dual action polisher in the regular search box on MOL.

Charles
 
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