All right, I got my orbital buffer in today and the 3M Swirl Mark Remover. I'm going to practice on my '88 Cougar before I get started on the Camaro. I did a pass on the hood and have a question.

How long do you buff on a section. I applied some SMR to one half of the hood and smeared it around with the foam pad before starting the buffer. Then I zig zagged the verticle direction and then in the horizontal direction. After this it seemed like the compound was dried up and not workable anymore. The whold buffing process only took about two minutes.

Does this seem about right?

thanks

 

Yep, that's the beauty of machine polishing in that it goes pretty quickly. You almost think you're cheating becuse if you're used to polishing by hand, you know it takes forever to do one small section perfectly. So, yeah, anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes per panel is about right with a machine, depending on the product you're applying.

I like to start by moistening the pad completely around the edge, making a small to medium sized bead. It usually doesn't take much product because buffers are generally more efficient than hand applications. Then in oval motions I smear the product in the section I'm working on. Place the buffer on the surface before turning it on, then begin polishing in longer back and forth overlapping motions. Let the buffer do the work, you be the guide! Generally work the polish until it's almost disappeared from the finish but not dried. You want to wipe the excess with a clean towel before it dries on the finish. Repeat if you feel more applications are needed. All in all, it goes very quickly and efficiently.

I know there are a few more people here that use buffers so maybe they can give you their preferred method and tricks for machine polishing.



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*My 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, other Kenwood & Pioneer goodies...
Show Car Shine by ZainoBros! - Thanks Sal!

[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited August 21, 2002).]

 

The 39009 starts off as a cream, when you buff it into an oil it has broken down and done its job, at that point buff it off with a cotton towel, do not let it dry or use the buffer until the product is dry.

I do not use my Zaino towels to remove 39009, as I do not want the abrasives hung up in my good Zaino towels.



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96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

Thanks guys,

I worked with it some more this morning and think I got the buffing routine down pretty good. I just have one other problem though.

Though I was being carefull the first foam bonnet I used tore by the elastic when I was putting it on. I went ahead and used it but since the tear was started it didn't last long once I started using it. Well I bought two pads so I switched to the other and was extremely carefull putting it on and everything went fine until I was cleaning it out. When I was squeezing the water out (not ringing) this one ripped also. At $7.50 a piece I am a little upset now.

Are these things that delicate? What brand are you using and where did you get them? I was not able to find anything local and had to order my stuff from www.waxdepot.com. The pads and buffer I got are made by Waxmaster.

 

Yeah, I don't really like that kind of bonnet pad system. I use Meguiar's Soft Buff foam pads mostly. They are hook and loop style (velcro) and attach quickly and easily to the velcro backing plate on the buffer. The backing plate is semi-permanent, you don't have to remove it unless you want to. All you do is switch pads by separating the velcro.

Here is where I bought my pads: Meguiar's Online Pads

I purchased the velcro backing plate separately from www.motorhead.net Although, here is the same one I have: Meguiar's backing plate

I never was a fan of the bonnet style though, and I don't think they make any velcro attachments for those kind.

BTW, my buffer is a bit different. It's the Porter Cable #7336.



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*My 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, other Kenwood & Pioneer goodies...
Show Car Shine by ZainoBros! - Thanks Sal!