Well, string me up...

B

Bing999

New member
if you like, but I have to ask these questions (and I have done lots of reading I think). I just gave a section of the hood of my F150 two applications of FI II (with a PC and the white pad it came with) and I see only marginal improvement. There are many fine scratches that I can't feel with my fingernail so I figured they would come out. It looks better, but not what I expected.



The question(s): When you polish the FI II out to a "gloss", do you really polish until its gone? I worked it for about 10 mins on speed 3 and medium pressure and then about 5 on 6 with very little pressure. The FI II never really seems to be gone, should I keep going? Won't I eventually end up with no compund left and be buffing with a "dry" pad on the paint? I had to give it a hand buff with a MF to get off the residue. It felt like buffing off a coat of carnauba.



Am I lost??? I really need the advice of all the PC vets out there.



Darcy :nixweiss
 
I've never used FI II.



For buffing I usually go until the product starts to get tacky and then buff off. Maybe you weren't applying enough pressure? I'm also not sure about the pad that you are using. I know the pad that came with my DeWalt wasn't worth anything.



You may have to do several applications if your swirls are really bad. I'll let someone else give you more information since i'm not familiar with the product you are using or the pad.
 
thanks for the reply Intel. I was using the white polishing pad that comes with the PC 7336. Tomorrow I'll try it your way and stop after the FI II gets tacky and see if it helps.





Darcy
 
You’ll likely get hazing if have significant residue leftover with Finesse-it II to wipe/buff. Try using less product and working it till it’s virtually gone. The pad that came with my 7424 was thick, spongy and very soft, not the best thing in the world to attack swirls with. It seemed to soak up lots of whatever you use and stay wet. Don’t know if yours is the same or not but a good pad kit will serve you well.



Adam
 
Use plenty of material, never buff until it goes dry. This can cause swirls on it's own. Don't use any real pressure. Let time and the weight of the machine do the work. By white pad I assume you mean foam. Keep buffing until the compound gets creamy/soupy. This means it is breaking down. Then when it dissipates, renew it. You really can't use too much, unless it splatters, and then it will automatically "self level" for you. (the rest will be on the wall) Be sure to work motions and angles with your machine. Cover the area evenly. FI II is excellent compound, I use it all the time. Keep working it, it can work wonders, it just takes time.
 
I could not get anywhere using that white pad that came with the PC. You will have much more success when you get some better pads.



Wait until you get some goods pads and try again.
 
Well, looks like I have some different things to try. I want to order two Meguiars pads, but they are 28 bucks each CDN, fair deal or not? There is another shop in town that sells "Buffmaster" pads, they are a paint shop so I guess I can try those first ($12 each).



If I choose to stop buffing when the FI II looks like its drying up, do I just use a MF to buff out the residue or is there a type of foam pad I could use to buff it out?



Thanks again



Darcy
 
rightlane said:
I could not get anywhere using that white pad that came with the PC. You will have much more success when you get some better pads.



Wait until you get some goods pads and try again.
Click to expand...



I agree.



I used the pad your speaking of when I first got the PC, now I'm using Meguiars pads... big difference!! You should be able to find them for $11.95 (at most) online. I got mine at a local detailing shop for that price.



Good luck and have fun. :cool:
 
yeah, Meguiars sells theirs online for 10.95 (about 17 CDN), but it doesn't look like they ship to Canada. I may just bit the bullet and buy them here (about $28, I think) if they are that much better than the one that came with the PC. Maybe I'll keep the PC one for SMR, who knows...



Thanks



Darcy
 
sounds good, I'll check the group buy out.



I dropped by the local paint shop and the guys there helped me out with some compound. They gave me small samples of two 3M products, Perfect It II Rubbing Compound (05973) and Super Duty Rubbing Compound (05954) to try out. I think both will leave minor swirling after I'm done, but I can always follow up with SMR. They told me both of these products are more abrasive than the FI II I have been using as it is a Finishing Compound.



Tonight I will try all three products on three different areas of my truck and see what happens. I'll post results in case anyone is interested.



I think the Super Duty is a bit much, but I'll try it anyway.



Thanks again to everyone.



Darcy
 
Well, things didn't go as planned, but I have made my decision.



I picked up a BuffMaster (BM) polishing pad which appears to be a little more abrasive than the one that came with my PC to make sure I was using quality stuff.



1. I tried the BM pad with FI II on my hood. Results were better than FI II with the PC pad.

2. I tried the BM pad with Perfect It II Rubbing Compound and was much happier with the finish.



I did have a little hazing after the Perfect It pass, but a quick rub down with Meguiars #9 SMR and it was gleaming. My hood had more than just swirl marks from (previous owner) washing, it also had lots of fine scratches which is what made me try the PI II.



No need to try the Super Duty, I'm more than happy.



Much thanks to everyone who posted replies and to the members that create the great posts that helped me learn as much as I have.



Gotta go, I have a truck to "finish", yahoo!!! :bounce :bounce





Darcy
 
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