Selecting polish vs pad for aggressiveness

outrag1

New member
Hello,



I've searched the forums a bit, and there are probably differing answers to this question, but "In General", what is the better way to go when moving up or down in aggressiveness:



In other words, if I'm looking to go more aggressive because the pad/polish combo is not working, is it better to start with a more aggressive pad and same polish or more aggressive polish and same pad?



When using Optimum products for example, should I move up from OP to OC or OHC if I'm currently using a white LC pad or is it better to try OP again on say an orange LC pad?



I'm obviously trying to minimize any unnecessary swirls being introduced into the paint and I wasn't sure if there was a standard theory folks went by on here.



I have a rotary, PC and just got a Cyclo. I was trying to experiment with the cyclo pad/product combo last weekend, but I think my question is across the board for all machines.



Thanks for any input.
 
Noting that you have to use a reasonably proper product/pad matchup (no point using a finishing polish with a cutting pad) to begin with, I generally would rather use a more aggressive product and a less aggressive pad. I only use the most aggressive pad I *have* to in order to get the most out of a product. So if I can do a job with a polishing pad and whatever product, that's the way I'd go and I'll only step up to an orange (or harsher) pad if I really have to.
 
Opinions (and results) will vary, but I would step up to a more aggressive polish before I went to a pad with more cut than the orange (light cut/polish pad). I have very good results using an orange pad when I need something with a bit more bite than a plain polish pad, plus it doesn't tend to marr very much, if at all, depending on paint, polish, etc.



A yellow cutting pad has a lot more bite and tends to induce more marring that will need to be polished out with a lesser pad/polish. I would rather let a more aggressive polish do the work (and break down to a lighter cut). There will be times that call for a cutting pad, but if I can do the same corrections with a lesser pad *I* think the finish usually comes out a bit more refined.
 
Usually I go from say menz IP with 3M black or edge green to a yellow and if that doesn't work, then up to a 1000 to 1200 grit product with the yellow

Sometimes I go same way as ness. Just depends on car

Like the current car I'm doing. 93 Falcon XR6

Slightly faded paint, plenty of scratches and unfixable defects and after trying prima swirl with green and then edge yellow, I moved to sfx 1 with DAS orange and man it fixed the paintwork brilliantly. I kept speed down to 1100 max



Then back to swirl with 3M black polish pad and Blackfire SRC 3000 w/ edge blue.

Killer finish.



With the difference in cutting ability between an edge green and a yellow not being a huge amount, I often go to the yellow before using stronger product.
 
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