PC, Z-PC, 5.5 Orange pad = good results!

R

Ryan314

New member
So today was my first time ever using a PC and Z-PC, and it went very successful! I was very worried about doing damage, but it went well. I used a 5.5 inch Orange pad with my PC using Z-PC, and it went awesome! :woot: I first applied the Z-PC on the orange pad in an "+" pattern and used the PC on speed 4 to spread it around good, then finished it off on speed 6, then wiped it down with a 100% terry cloth while using Z6. AMAZING RESULTS! :woohoo: I had a good amount of fine scratches on my hood and the Z-PC took out about 85-90% of them, and it looks fantastic, I am so pleased. I've finally found a product that works! :xyxthumbs I'm in the process of doing the whole Z line right now (Z2 is drying right now :work: ). I'll try and get pics up for you all!



Oh in case you're wondering, I drive a Midnight Black Pearl 2002 Subaru WRX.
 
I love that polish but I use it with a polishing or finishing pad. The firmer pads seem to micro marr no matter what polish I use with the PC.
 
I have black paint also, and can see some micro marring no matter what pad i use.



To fix it i turn off the bright light, looks fantastic :)
 
I didn't get any marring... but next time I want to try a polishing pad instead and see if I can get the same results. I didn't do the whole car, just the hood and the trunk.. I was a little skeptical about doing the whole car, but I may do the whole car again with a polishing pad next... but all in all, I'm very pleased!
 
mrdetail said:
I love that polish but I use it with a polishing or finishing pad. The firmer pads seem to micro marr no matter what polish I use with the PC.
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If it happens regardless of what product you're using, it sounds like you're either



a) not using enough product

b) applying too much pressure to the machine against the paint

c) buffing for too long



It could also be that you're letting too much gunk cake onto the pad before cleaning it. Especially when working with a cutting pad, it is CRUCIAL that you strike the right balance. Prime the pad really well, and just let the weight of the machine itself do the work. Also make sure you're not buffing to a "dry" buff. Doing so can definitely cause marring due to the harsh nature of the pad. :xyxthumbs
 
ZPC seems to work really well when buffed until almost gone, so is this essentially dry buffing, or working the product as designed?
 
JBM said:
ZPC seems to work really well when buffed until almost gone, so is this essentially dry buffing, or working the product as designed?
Click to expand...



In my experience with ZPC, it really varies in how it behaves. I've used it a few times on three different vehicles now (my two personal vehicles, and a friend's garage queen.... customers get Meguiar's 80-series) and with both PC and Rotary.



It can be really deceptive sometimes as to how far "broken down" it is; so what I have found myself doing (just like I sometimes do when working with #83/#82) is stopping before the product gets to that "barely visible haze" point. I then switch to a softer pad that has been primed with Z6, and give it a couple more passes to finish the breakdown. This seems to prevent any marring or hazing, so I can go right to the LSP (as opposed to laying a fresh "unworked" section to do a full re-polish).



Also, remember that ZPC is water-based with no fillers; so if you're used to working with polishes containing oils and/or mild fillers like the Meguiar's and Poorboy's products, it is not going to look the same as you're used to. This is the reason for Z5; to fill in those little areas of micromarring and such that are still around after you've polished. If you're using the "Z system" to seal your paint, you would then go with 3x of Z5/ZFX, and then follow that with 3x of Z2Pro/ZFX, and finally Z8 to create the optimum results.



Just some stuff to consider; I'm sure some will disagree or have different observations, but this is just my take.
 
That's sort of what I did... I buffed it around good on speed 4 then went over it on speed 6 until it made a sort of clear-haze (if that makes sense :lol:, somewhere inbetween), then just wiped the remaining with a towel and Z6.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr,

Excellent explaination on how to use Z-PC and Z5. :bow



Ryan, glad you liked Z-PC and the Z system. Even though I too am a polishing pad user for Z-PC, if the combo you have used "worked" for "you", why change?
 
Well I was a little worried about trying it on the whole car... I would probably feel safer trying it with a polishing pad... but the orange pad is good for spots and problem areas.
 
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