[zarbat007]

Hey everyone.

I plan to wetsand a panel with 1500 to get the small runs/dust nibs out, then sand it with 2000 to make the buffing easier (I am practicing)

Can anyone recommend me a buffing/compund pads and polish?
3M? System one? Farcela? Meguairs?
Should I get the wool pad? black/white/orange/ pads? What size?
I will be using a Makita 9227c buffer.

I am lost

Thanks in advance

[302 Z28]

Don't use a wool pad, especially if you are learning.

Vince

[ShadetreeBody]

Sure Finish Polish (start to finish) -By Robert Whyte (25+ year polish vet)



Pads Link....... Orange = Cutting ---- Black = Polishing and Swirl Removal

[zarbat007]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Don't use a wool pad, especially if you are learning.

Vince

I am practicing on a panel I clear coated on Sunday.
I thought wool pad was the only way to remove sanding scratches?

[zarbat007]

Originally Posted by ShadetreeBody

Sure Finish Polish (start to finish) -By Robert Whyte (25+ year polish vet)



Pads Link....... Orange = Cutting ---- Black = Polishing and Swirl Removal

Thanks for the link, I'll check them out soon (2:05 A.M. here in Canada).

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by zarbat007

I am practicing on a panel I clear coated on Sunday.
I thought wool pad was the only way to remove sanding scratches?

Improper use of the wool pad will remove a lot more than scratches . Depending on how aggressive the compound you use a foam pad will work great. .

Vince

[DougMN]

Every car I have buffed out was with a wool pad.

[zarbat007]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Improper use of the wool pad will remove a lot more than scratches . Depending on how aggressive the compound you use a foam pad will work great. .

Vince

One of the bimmerforums member recommended Meguairs M105

http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-paint-c...a-Cut-Compound

with the double side wool pad.
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pad/Dou...ol-Cutting-Pad

I haven't tried using a wool yet but I've been told If I use common sense I'll be fine (This panel is a scrap panel I am practicing).

But if I was to use a foam to remove sanding scratches, which one from the link below should I choose?
http://www.autogeek.net/mg64.html (please scroll down the page).


Thanks...

[cyclopsblown34]

I usually start with wool and graduate through the foam to the black foam and finishing glaze. I then hand glaze. I would suggest two other places to check.
1. Your local paint and body store or auto parts store with a paint and body specialist.

2. Autopia.org Join the site, post and intro and be amazed at how much there is to learn as far as polishing and detailing go. They take it to a whole new level.

Good luck.
The process I use is as follows.
All my color sanding is done wet and with appropriate sized/material block rubber, homemade aluminum or wood( stir stick cut down and sanded work great)
1. 1500 grit wet/dry paper remove all orange peel and dust nibs down to tiny little pinholes
2. 2000 grit to even finish
3. 2500 grit to further refine finish
4. 3000 grit 3M Trizact # 2075 on buffer with 3M hookit II #5276 backup pad and 3M #5274 soft interface pad. I also use 3M hand pads #5291 and 5292.
5.I then polish with 3M perfect it 3000 #6068 qt or 6069 gallon and 3M Hookit 5711 wool pad at low speed and no more pressure than the buffer weight. My buffer is an old Milwaukee buffer.
6.3M Imperial Machine glaze # 5991 qt with 3M perfect it #5723 pad at medium speed.
7. 3M Perfect it foam polishing pad glaze # 5995 for light colors and # 5996 for dark colors with 3M 5725 foam polishing pad.
8. on semi fresh paint I use 3M hand glaze.
9. on cured paint, after the glaze I then use Meguairs hi tech yellow wax # M2616.

Good luck on the project.

[zarbat007]

cyclopsblown34

Thanks for reply.
I joined autopia and made a thread, but no replies. I think the members are tired of recommending pads/polish.
And you are right, lots of info in that forum, too many info if you ask me.
I searched M105 in autopia and lots of people seem to like it, so I ordered one along with #82 swirl free polish this morning.

I plan to use the pads that come with the Makita buffer I ordered last week:
# 1-H&L Wool Compound Pad
# 1-H&L Blended Polishing Pad
(http://www.autogeek.net/ma927po.html)


Thanks for the step by step directions, I printed it out for future use.

[OneMoreTime]

Cyclops gave some good advice..when one has some experience he can start with the coarser grits of polish as he can tell just about what he will need..

When I start a newbie I start him with the fine grits and work backward to coarser so he can see just what effect the various grits of paper and compounds do. Doing it this way allows the newbie to get the feel of it and not be so likely to buff thru and have a problem..

Sam

[cyclopsblown34]

Most definitely don't start with cutting compound, the coarsest you should ever use if color sanded properly or nearly properly is polishing compound for machine use.

[lets cut it up]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Improper use of the wool pad will remove a lot more than scratches . Depending on how aggressive the compound you use a foam pad will work great. .

Vince

I definitely agree with this.. I used a wool pad for the first cut but if you are just starting out learning to buff you could mess that paint job up quickly if you are not familiar with how to work the buffer on the panels. That wool pad can and will remove scratches for sure but it will also remove clear and paint and watch out for edges because a wool pad will catch them and try to rip them off the panel. Tim

[Irelands child]

I have been using Meguiar's #1 for my initial buff, then switch over to Presta 1500 or 3000 for the final buff (Barry K's recommendation). On a dark color, you might want to consider their swirl remover as well. I was a 100% Meguiar's user until my body shop supplier suggested Presta. Very, very nice stuff. As far as pads, I have been using Schlagel wool buffs and Meguiar's foam - and being the rank amateur that I am, use a lot of caution as well

Dave W

[zarbat007]

Originally Posted by Irelands child

I have been using Meguiar's #1 for my initial buff, then switch over to Presta 1500 or 3000 for the final buff (Barry K's recommendation). On a dark color, you might want to consider their swirl remover as well. I was a 100% Meguiar's user until my body shop supplier suggested Presta. Very, very nice stuff. As far as pads, I have been using Schlagel wool buffs and Meguiar's foam - and being the rank amateur that I am, use a lot of caution as well

Dave W

The meguairs new M105 is said to leave a swirl free almost ready to wax finish.
I searched the autopia forums and hear nothing but good about this product. Kinda like the SystemOne X3 polish. Can be used with wool/foam pad, removes 1200 scratches fast& easy, then follow by #82 polish using their yellow foam.