Surbuf is naughty and nice

I was using the Meguiars V2 DA machine, 5.5" backing plate and 5.5" Surbuf pads. I wasn't applying much pressure. The results were great other than those two gouges :)
 
Flash Gordon said:
Never had that happen...I know its a silly question, but are you sure your pad wasn't contaminated with a foriegn matter :-?
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Nope, I'm sure the deep scratch is from the edge. I even put the pad up to the scratch and the curve matches perfectly. Like if you place the pad on the paint and trace around it for 2 inches with a razor! Weird that nobody else has heard of this before.
 
I've been thru at least 25 of the surbuf pads and never had this issue.

As noted above use very light pressure and always keep the pads clean with a brush and compressed air.

I dont recommend it, but I have used the surbuf pads in the past with a good amount of pressure and never had any issues either.
 
Well just weird! I was hoping for some insight into what I did wrong. The only thing I can think of is I might have accidentally had the DA at a weird angle while going across a panel, and that's what caused that white rough middle layer to contact the paint.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Silly question #2 X_X What size backing plate and pads were you using :toetap05:
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I was using the 5.5" SurBuf's with a 5.5" backing plate.

After more thought last night, maybe my backing plate was to blame. I was using this yellow one, and it was slightly warped. One of the edegs was lifted up. I believe it was a LC backing plate, but not sure. Regardless, I tossed it in the garbage.
 
shizam1 said:
I was using the 5.5" SurBuf's with a 5.5" backing plate.

After more thought last night, maybe my backing plate was to blame. I was using this yellow one, and it was slightly warped. One of the edegs was lifted up. I believe it was a LC backing plate, but not sure. Regardless, I tossed it in the garbage.
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They also come in 3" and 4" to work the tight areas FYI.
 
shizam1 said:
Well just weird! I was hoping for some insight into what I did wrong. The only thing I can think of is I might have accidentally had the DA at a weird angle while going across a panel, and that's what caused that white rough middle layer to contact the paint.
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If you're talking about the part of the pad where the micro-fingers are glued to the foam, there really is no answer other than be extra careful around certain panels, especially perpendicular panels. I've had something like this happen on a constant pressure LC pad where the blue foam is glued to the working part of the pad. That glue is pretty rough, and I bumped up to a vertical panel and had the line of glue make a small scratch. It sounds to me like maybe that's what you're describing.
 
mikenap said:
If you're talking about the part of the pad where the micro-fingers are glued to the foam, there really is no answer other than be extra careful around certain panels, especially perpendicular panels. I've had something like this happen on a constant pressure LC pad where the blue foam is glued to the working part of the pad. That glue is pretty rough, and I bumped up to a vertical panel and had the line of glue make a small scratch. It sounds to me like maybe that's what you're describing.
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That is exactly what I'm describing. I've never had this problem with LC foam pads though, maybe because of the thickness of them. With the SurBuf, you have around 1/8" of microfingers, and then the rough glue layer, and no rounded edges.
 
shizam1 said:
That is exactly what I'm describing. I've never had this problem with LC foam pads though, maybe because of the thickness of them. With the SurBuf, you have around 1/8" of microfingers, and then the rough glue layer, and no rounded edges.
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Yup, most LC pads are fine. The Constant Pressure pads that PAC sells have two grades of foam glued together. While I really like the feel of those pads, I've learned to be careful with them anywhere I may snug up to an adjacent panel. And I can see the Surbufs doing the same in certain instances. Any pad that is glued like that could cause the same issue. Just keep a close eye on it and you'll be fine. :thumbup:
 
I read some comments about the "sharp" edge on the Surbuf on other forums, so I was forewarned and prepared... I really avoid surfaces where the edge can come in contact with the paint. Curvy surfaces get LC orange.
 
Luster said:
I read some comments about the "sharp" edge on the Surbuf on other forums, so I was forewarned and prepared... I really avoid surfaces where the edge can come in contact with the paint. Curvy surfaces get LC orange.
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Yeah, I've learned my lesson. Hopefully others reading this can avoid a nice scratch. Of course, it does a fabulous job, so that's why I ordered some more! I'll just be ultra careful with panels that aren't on the flat side, and switch to a foam pad for those.
 
Wow, guess I've just been super lucky or my eyes are failing me /:)

Thanks for sharing your expierence Shizam. I will be directing ppl to this thread anytime I hear someone asking about Surbuf usage Da Rules!
 
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