Polish break down stages

[blkyukon]

Updated info here as of 10-26-05 :
http://melncal.com/detailing

I always get asked, "How do I know if I've worked the polish long enough". So finally decided to document what works for me -

Below are some pictures showing the stages of a polish breaking down (Menzerna Final Polish is pictured below):


Used - PC - Menzerna Intense polish and Final Polish - Meguiars - polishing pad (for both)


1st - before applying any polish



2nd- after spreading it around and working it for about 20 sec. on speed 4.5


3rd- polish has broken down - at this point I slow the speed down and go over it slowly to bring the gloss back to the paint


4th - Here is what it looks like when is finished - almost translucent


5th - the final results, nice spiderweb free finish ready for a wax or sealant


6th - After a coat of Poorboy's EX-P+ (review coming soon)

[Bill D]

Good pictorial

Yep, the Menzerna ought to look like that. Looks more or less the same via Cyclo also. Hope this helps folks out.

[Pats300zx]

Wow..great pics and nice tutorial...

[mtodde]

Nice pics and great tutorial! I'll have to save this one.
I'm interested in your perception of EX-P+ on black...it looks great!

[1 Clean WS6]

OUTSTANDING post!!!

[01bluecls]

Excellent job with the Menzerna Twins! I have those polishes in my aresnal and love the fact that they dont have fillers to "falsely" make me believe that swirls are gone. They are wonder polishes even with PC, even though they are meant more for rotary. You said the pics were of when you were doing FP, did FP remove those swirls???

[DSVWGLI]

Very nice. How long do you work the polish at 4.5, is it for the 20 seconds you mentioned or more? After you've broke the polish down how long and at what speed do you work it to bring the gloss back?

[blkyukon]

Thanks everyone! I know how frustrating it can be to get the finish looking the best (especially on black).

After trying a bunch of speed/pad combos with the PC, this is what works best for me with the majority of my polishes (mostly finishing polishes).

Originally posted by 01bluecls
. They are wonder polishes even with PC, even though they are meant more for rotary. You said the pics were of when you were doing FP, did FP remove those swirls???

I get the best finish on black with FP. I used IP first and removed most of the swirls and finished with FP to remove the slight hazing left by IP and bring back the gloss....sorry I did remember to take pics of using IP.

Originally posted by DSVWGLI
Very nice. How long do you work the polish at 4.5, is it for the 20 seconds you mentioned or more? After you've broke the polish down how long and at what speed do you work it to bring the gloss back?

Thanks!

It was cold today so it took a little bit longer then usual, but on average I work it about 1-2 min before it reaches picture 3. Then slowing the PC down to 3.5 and doing slow passes until it reaches picture 4 again about 1-2 min leaves the best finish.

Hope that helps

[vdog0531]

well... looks like i am making a call to dwayne tomorrow and purchasing some FP and IP. its about time! i havn't been wanting to try it for a long time but i wanted to get more experienced with my rotary and now that i have been using it a lot lately, i htink its time great tutorial

Vernon

[White95Max]

Hmm...I like your EX-P dispenser bottle. The Poorboy's bottle always farts the product at the pad so I might have to use your idea.

[mtodde]

Originally posted by White95Max
Hmm...I like your EX-P dispenser bottle. The Poorboy's bottle always farts the product at the pad so I might have to use your idea.

It does kinda fart doesn't it? I run into the same thing with SSR 2.5.

Steve sent out the EX-P+ samples in those dispensers...it works very well but you need to close it with your last application of product to the pad...otherwise you'll waste a bit when you close it. It is like a lotion bottle or something similar.

[shaunthebadboy]

thanks for the pictorial