Machine Polish / Foam Pad Combinations
01-30-2007, 05:40 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Machine Polish / Foam Pad Combinations
Machine Polish / Foam Pad Combinations:
The use of abrasive type polish / cleaners should always be restricted to specific problems. Most original paint finishes are tougher on the outer surface than the layers underneath. The outer layers should be preserved as far as possible.
Always begin the process with the least abrasive combination (i.e. a machine polish comparative abrasion scale (CAS) and the least aggressive foam pad (yellow, cutting-1, orange cutting/polishing -2, white polishing-3) If that combination doesn't remove the imperfections, using the same machine polish CAS = 3/10 and change to a more aggressive foam pad 2. If the surface imperfections remain, then step-up the abrasive to a polish CAS = 4/10 and use the least aggressive (cutting) pad-2. Always choose the least abrasive product first, it is preferable to polish 2-3 times to restore the paint film surface than to use an unnecessarily abrasive machine polish / foam pad combination.
Note: using a 4-inch foam pad will concentrate power / heat and also increase abrasive ability
1. The abrading ability of any polish can be changed by;
a) Application method (i.e. machine or hand application)
b) Speed and / or pressure used
c) Using foam pad wet or dry; as water interferes with the buffers that encapsulate the abrasives producing slightly more aggressive abrasion ability. Water will also minimize dusting when using a machine buffer (random orbital or rotary)
d) Type of foam composition (different foam compositions and / or densities have a differing abrading ability)
e) Surface area of foam pad (smaller area more concentrated pressure)
2. Select matching foam pads abrading ability to suit the product used yellow, cutting-1, orange cutting/polishing -2, white polishing-3 The lower the number the less abrasive ability, colours are Lake County’s foam
3. The speed at which the foam pad travels across a paint surface is also important, too fast or slow won’t allow the micro-abrasive to ‘beak down’, Machine linier speed (MLS) buffer or rotary machine movement shown as inches per second, apply polish at a machine linear speed (MLS) of approximately 0.5 to 1.0-inch per second. Use a pressure of 5-10 lbs on the machine, too much pressure will cause it to stall.
4. Machine speed (Porter-Cable) for polishing # 4 – 5.5, the vibrations that are generated at higher speeds are unacceptable for most people, and may cause the Velcro™ to become delaminated, to obtain the best results when polishing with a random orbital buffer use a 5-inch backing plate and a 4-inch foam pad.
5. It is normal to polish a surface (unless the defects are minor) and to renew the polish to abrade the surface three or more times. When using a machine polish that contains diminishing abrasives, once the abrasives reach a certain size they will no longer abrade (cut) the surface, if on further inspection the surface still has some defects, you will need to apply fresh polish.
Bear in mind that a clear coat has a thickness of 1.5 – 2.0 Mils, removing more that 0.3 mil (0.0003") of clear coat will cause premature paint film failure. As a point of reference two sheets of Saran wrap placed on top of each other measure 1.5Mil (0.0015") a surface scratch that will `catch' your fingernail is approximately 0.004" deep will usually require wet sanding and refinishing. There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear cot and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection
The abrading ability of any polish can be changed by their application method (i.e. machine or hand application, speed and / or pressure used, using it wet or dry and / or type of foam composition (different foam compositions and / or densities i.e. pores per inch (PPI) have a differing abrading ability)
Machine, foam pad and product; the work is approximately distributed, 60% product, 30% foam composition and 10% pressure applied and / or speed of rotation or oscillation.
Never mix polishes on a foam pad, and never use a foam pad that has been used to apply a compound for polishing unless it has been thoroughly cleaned first.
Reference source- Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist – by Jon Miller aka TOGWT
The use of abrasive type polish / cleaners should always be restricted to specific problems. Most original paint finishes are tougher on the outer surface than the layers underneath. The outer layers should be preserved as far as possible.
Always begin the process with the least abrasive combination (i.e. a machine polish comparative abrasion scale (CAS) and the least aggressive foam pad (yellow, cutting-1, orange cutting/polishing -2, white polishing-3) If that combination doesn't remove the imperfections, using the same machine polish CAS = 3/10 and change to a more aggressive foam pad 2. If the surface imperfections remain, then step-up the abrasive to a polish CAS = 4/10 and use the least aggressive (cutting) pad-2. Always choose the least abrasive product first, it is preferable to polish 2-3 times to restore the paint film surface than to use an unnecessarily abrasive machine polish / foam pad combination.
Note: using a 4-inch foam pad will concentrate power / heat and also increase abrasive ability
1. The abrading ability of any polish can be changed by;
a) Application method (i.e. machine or hand application)
b) Speed and / or pressure used
c) Using foam pad wet or dry; as water interferes with the buffers that encapsulate the abrasives producing slightly more aggressive abrasion ability. Water will also minimize dusting when using a machine buffer (random orbital or rotary)
d) Type of foam composition (different foam compositions and / or densities have a differing abrading ability)
e) Surface area of foam pad (smaller area more concentrated pressure)
2. Select matching foam pads abrading ability to suit the product used yellow, cutting-1, orange cutting/polishing -2, white polishing-3 The lower the number the less abrasive ability, colours are Lake County’s foam
3. The speed at which the foam pad travels across a paint surface is also important, too fast or slow won’t allow the micro-abrasive to ‘beak down’, Machine linier speed (MLS) buffer or rotary machine movement shown as inches per second, apply polish at a machine linear speed (MLS) of approximately 0.5 to 1.0-inch per second. Use a pressure of 5-10 lbs on the machine, too much pressure will cause it to stall.
4. Machine speed (Porter-Cable) for polishing # 4 – 5.5, the vibrations that are generated at higher speeds are unacceptable for most people, and may cause the Velcro™ to become delaminated, to obtain the best results when polishing with a random orbital buffer use a 5-inch backing plate and a 4-inch foam pad.
5. It is normal to polish a surface (unless the defects are minor) and to renew the polish to abrade the surface three or more times. When using a machine polish that contains diminishing abrasives, once the abrasives reach a certain size they will no longer abrade (cut) the surface, if on further inspection the surface still has some defects, you will need to apply fresh polish.
Bear in mind that a clear coat has a thickness of 1.5 – 2.0 Mils, removing more that 0.3 mil (0.0003") of clear coat will cause premature paint film failure. As a point of reference two sheets of Saran wrap placed on top of each other measure 1.5Mil (0.0015") a surface scratch that will `catch' your fingernail is approximately 0.004" deep will usually require wet sanding and refinishing. There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear cot and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection
The abrading ability of any polish can be changed by their application method (i.e. machine or hand application, speed and / or pressure used, using it wet or dry and / or type of foam composition (different foam compositions and / or densities i.e. pores per inch (PPI) have a differing abrading ability)
Machine, foam pad and product; the work is approximately distributed, 60% product, 30% foam composition and 10% pressure applied and / or speed of rotation or oscillation.
Never mix polishes on a foam pad, and never use a foam pad that has been used to apply a compound for polishing unless it has been thoroughly cleaned first.
Reference source- Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist – by Jon Miller aka TOGWT
01-30-2007, 07:12 PM
#2
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WOW!!!!! I finally know your name and who knew you were an author too 
Thanks for all the knowledge John. I enjoy learning more technical aspects of detailing.
Thanks for all the knowledge John. I enjoy learning more technical aspects of detailing.
02-01-2007, 12:55 AM
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Jon - awesome info, but the clear thickness is a bit scary - for newcomers that is.
I would add that most new paint will measure somewhere in the 130s (microns) - another measuring scale. Below 90 microns you have very little clear left. at any one point, one shouldn't remove more than 8 microns. Most details with a rotary/yellow cutting pad and a compound will level the paint to "perfection" by removing around 3 or 4 microns. There are of course exceptions to this rule both ways. m2c
I would add that most new paint will measure somewhere in the 130s (microns) - another measuring scale. Below 90 microns you have very little clear left. at any one point, one shouldn't remove more than 8 microns. Most details with a rotary/yellow cutting pad and a compound will level the paint to "perfection" by removing around 3 or 4 microns. There are of course exceptions to this rule both ways. m2c
