Diminishing Abrasives Technology
A non-linear abrasive that
require kinetic friction and applied pressure, while the majority of polishes
on the market use a form of diminishing (non- linear) abrasive, which you
polish until it turns translucent; when a polish "flashes" from a
liquid paste to a light semi-dry haze, much like a coating of Vaseline®, proceed
until it looks like a clear oil and then stop; the diminishing polish has then
broken down and is ready for removal.
Commonly used abrasive,
aluminium oxide are banded together (abrasive clusters). Kinetic friction
separates them and continues to break them down into smaller segments, known as
the primary abrasive. Further application of kinetic energy will break down the
abrasives (diminishing) and therefore go from removing paint defects to
polishing the paint, which produces the shine. If you don't break them down sufficiently,
you are just grinding those abrasive particles into your paint, without
polishing it, which can leave behind marring and other paint surface
imperfections.
It is important to know when
a polish has broken down because if you take it too far you will re-introduce
surface marring. During the polishing process, trace amounts of paint and / or
oxidation is removed; this can cause the debris and the polish to “clump”
together. This can cause a haze to the paint surface, a wipe-down or a paint
cleaning product will eliminate this.
When the polish is starting
to break down properly you should have a clear surface (somewhat like Vaseline®) keep polishing until the polish becomes clear, like thin
clear oil, but still barely visible on the pant surface and then stop as the
abrasives are fully broken down. However not allowing the abrasives to break
down sufficiently would be tantamount to rubbing sand paper across the paint,
causing fine surface scratches
Pros - Menzerna diminishing
abrasive polishes are formulated with a long lasting lubricant. The abrasives
break down before the lubricating oils dry out, thereby giving polish a longer
working time and producing less abrasive dust and avoiding dry buffing.
Cons - Menzerna lubrication
oils can be really resistant to removal; it may take 2-3 IPA wipe-downs.
Non- Diminishing Abrasives Technology
A linear abrasive that
require time and pressure - unlike diminishing abrasives, which require
friction to enable the abrasives to 'break-down to obtain the best possible
finish (and avoid holograms) non-diminishing abrasives react very differently.
It will be as abrasive as you want it to be, time and pressure applied (linear
abrasive) being its working criteria. By varying pad selection, machine speed
and pressure, you can select the amount of abrasive cut required.
Block wet sanding (finishing
paper and a sanding block) is the most effective tool for paint defect removal
because of its linear process you abrade the paint surface flat until the
defects are removed. Non- diminishing
abrasives, a flat foam pad and a rigid backing plate are very similar in
application.
The other similarity between
using a non-diminishing abrasive polish and block wet-sanding with finishing
paper; the cleaner the media, the more consistent the polishing will be.
It the polishing media
becomes saturated, they lose their abrasive abilities. A linear abrasive
eliminates the ‘abrasive cycle’ as you have a constant and consistent abrasive
medium, the longer you work the abrasive the more surface defects are removed.
Linear abrasive polishes /
compounds provides a constant cutting abrasive, as the abrasives remains uniform in size throughout the
polishing process, so you need to check the surface often. They should be used
with a semi-rigid backing plate and a cutting foam or wool pad until the
defects are removed (1200 – 1500 RPM) but do not allow the polish too
completely dry (as this will also produce holograms) and ensure that pad
surface is cleaned by removing paint / polish debris regularly This type of
compound / polish process usually requires subsequent polishing step(s) to
further refine the finish and to produce a shine
Cons - the lubricating oils dry out, thereby providing a shorter working
time, producing more abrasive dust and the possibility of dry buffing
Meguiar’s Super Micro
Abrasive Technology (SMAT) - that is used in these polishes (M105 Ultra
Cut Compound 1200< grit CAS 10/10 and M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
CAS4/10) utilizes non-diminishing abrasives. Using a compound with a random
orbital polisher requires a very different technique, pressure, pad size and
selection, pad priming (with the compound) etc. The product used is a
non-diminishing, heavy cut compound, applied with a 6 – inch LC
CCS Orange Light Cutting or Yellow Cutting flat foam pads with a
semi-rigid Velcro® backing plate (to ensure maximum abrasive used over minimum
area) and ensure that pad is clean by removing paint / polish debris regularly
or replace
Like all linear abrasive
compounds or polishes, they require a correctly primed pad, to ensure
sufficient product, the use of applied pressure to ensure abrasive contact with
the paint surface, this ensures constant surface contact. Linear abrasives require
that you work the product until you achieve the desired finish.
Prime the pad by
semi-saturating (80%) the pad with M105 and spread the abrasives uniformly.
Keeping the pad flat while applying a constant / consistent pressure; thus
ensuring constant paint / polish contact, when the initial polish has been
expended replace with 5-6 small sized dots. Keep the pad flat (like you would
with a sanding block) while applying constant pressure, the oils in the polish
provide the lubrication (like the water does in wet-sanding).Do not allow the
pad to “load-up”
Pad grit number, amount of
pressure applied and time will all affect the amount of abrasion achieved. If
the initial process doesn’t provide the desired finish, increase the
aggressiveness of the process; i.e. use a longer working time, increased
pressure, increases the cut of the polishing pad. A properly primed cutting pad
will eliminate most surface scratches and FM4005 will polish (burnish) the
finish
Pad Dependency
Any abrasive polish and pad
combination is only as fine as its coarsest component. All abrasive polishes
are ‘foam pad and applied pressure
dependant’ as far as their paint correction abilities are concerned. Any
abrasive / pad combination is reliant upon its most abrasive component.
Foam Pad Design
a) Non-reticulated [:foam
membranes are completely sealed to prevent fluid absorption or air penetration] (closed-cell) which means less product
absorption, and less air flow, reticulated foam are relatively less abrasive
and less dense than polymerized foam; due to this density the polish provides
the abrasive ability as opposed to the foams composition (use when thoroughly
dry as they tend to retain water) with polymerized foam your polish stays
wetter for longer, which extends the
products work time This pad design is relatively firm so that none of the
machines action (rotational or orbital) is lost, as is the case with soft
foams. Due to their lack of airflow the foam doesn’t drain that well they are
harder to clean, and take longer to dry
b) Reticulated [:
foam which is a linked network or matrix of small squares or shapes] its
composition varies with pore size. Their open-cell construction allows for
fluids to permeate the pad to a greater degree than closed-cell materials, such
as non- reticulated foam and their lower tensile strength allows them to
conform to contours more easily. Reticulated foam, which is a less dense than
polymerized foam, therefore your polish provides the abrasive ability as
opposed to the foam. Porosity is typically 95%, but can be as high as 98%,
typically resistance to compression is decreased while tensile properties like
elongation and resistance to tearing are increased. This pad design is
relatively soft so that some of the machines action (rotational or orbital) is
lost
·
Compression / Rebound - compression load deflection is the
measurement of how long the foam takes to regain shape after under certain
pressure, foam pads should be compressed to no more than approx. 50% of its
thickness
·
Tensile strength – the strength of a material refers to the
material's ability to resist an applied force
·
Density - provides a protective cushion allowing foam
compression to maintain constant surface pressure and it also lessens machine
vibration. It also affects the amount of polish the pad will hold; foams that
hold a high volume of product allows the polish to do the cutting, as opposed
to the abrasiveness of the foam.
·
Velocity - pad velocity is substantially increased with a larger
diameter pad, increased velocity will increase abrasive capability at the outer
edge of the pad.
Foam Pad Thickness
Standard foam pads - 1.25
inch pad thickness was set as an industry standard because it prevented solvent
residues and provided insulation from friction heat from reaching the backing
plate, either of which could compromise the Velcro® (delaminate from the
backing material). They have a rounded outer edge for easy transitions over
seams and edges, and there is also a safety margin between the edge of the
baking material and the foam with a ‘standard’ foam pad.
This foam density provides a
protective cushion allowing foam compression to maintain constant surface
pressure and it also lessens machine vibration.
OEM-style 7/8-inch foam pads
- due to the reduced foam thickness tilting a 7/8 inch pad will change the polishing
pressure on the surface.
These foam pads are flat cut
on the top edge, as opposed to a standard 1.25-inch, which have a rounded outer
edge for easy transitions over seams and edges and the backing material is cut
back 3/8 of an inch around the perimeter of the pad to ensure a safety margin.
On the 7/8-ich foam pads the
backing material extends to the edge of the pad where it could scratch the
paint when working in close corners or around mirrors and wings. OEM-Style pads
are designed for high volume pad users where cost is a significant factor
Like all things related to
tools, pad thickness comes down to personal preference.
Pores per inch (PPI)
As an example you could purchase two seemingly similar pads
based upon their PPI rating, but one pad may have thicker walls between each
pore, be made of softer material, feature a reticulated or non-reticulated foam
structure (basically open or closed cell), or simply be a thicker (1.25 or
0.75-inch) foam, which can affect the machine's movements.
Compressible, open cell
polyether polyurethane reticulated foam is usually specified by pores per inch
(PPI).The greater number of pores per inch generally equates to foam that is
softer; and has less abrasive ability, less density, more porosity and easier
compression.
There is no recognisable
standard for the abrasive abilities of foam, other than a colour assigned; most
foam manufacturer’s that supply foam to detailer’s product vendor assign their
own colours to donate abrasion. On this basis a PPI rating allows abrasive
ability comparisons between different foams
Remember the flatter and
more uniform you make the surface, the greater the light reflection .While most
enthusiasts understand this principle when applied to polishing, the same is
true of finishing. The more uniformly you apply the final wax or sealant, the
greater the shine
Scale 30 – 100 pores per inch
(PPI)
•
Abrasive Cutting Foam (40 PPI)
•
Medium Cutting Foam (50 PPI)
•
Light Cutting Foam (60 PPI)
•
Finishing Foam (70 PPI)
•
Fine Application (80 PPI)
•
Ultra-Fine Finishing (100 PPI)
Note: Harder pads (low PPI) create more surface resistance and
consequently more kinetic energy (surface heat)
The thicker consistency
products (i.e. a hard wax) seem to work best with a more porous pad; a very
tight pad used with these types of products seems to load up and clog the pad,
which in a turn leads to product clumping. When applying light consistency products
(i.e. liquid polymer) a more porous pad will absorb and waste product
Note:
Many foam pad mfg. do not use the PPI identification system
Equivalent Abrasive Rating
The grit rating on an
abrasive or polishing pad is an indication that a product is designed remove the surface scratches left
by finishing paper (i.e. 2500 grit scratches are removed by a 2500 grit rated
polish) it doesn't mean that it is a
2500 grit level abrasive.
•
The coarser the abrasive, the faster the cut
•
The more aggressive the pad, the faster the cut
•
Wool cuts faster than lamb’s wool, foamed wools are next, then
foam.
•
Foam pads generate more friction induced heat than wool pads
Pad Dependency
Any abrasive polish and pad
combination is only as fine as its coarsest component. All abrasive polishes
are ‘foam pad and applied pressure
dependant’ as far as their paint correction abilities are concerned. Any
abrasive / pad combination is reliant upon its most abrasive component.
Foam Pad Design
a) Non-reticulated [:foam
membranes are completely sealed to prevent fluid absorption or air penetration] (closed-cell) which means less product
absorption, and less air flow, reticulated foam are relatively less abrasive
and less dense than polymerized foam; due to this density the polish provides
the abrasive ability as opposed to the foams composition (use when thoroughly
dry as they tend to retain water) with polymerized foam your polish stays
wetter for longer, which extends the
products work time This pad design is relatively firm so that none of the
machines action (rotational or orbital) is lost, as is the case with soft
foams. Due to their lack of airflow the foam doesn’t drain that well they are
harder to clean, and take longer to dry
b) Reticulated [:
foam which is a linked network or matrix of small squares or shapes] its
composition varies with pore size. Their open-cell construction allows for
fluids to permeate the pad to a greater degree than closed-cell materials, such
as non- reticulated foam and their lower tensile strength allows them to
conform to contours more easily. Reticulated foam, which is a less dense than
polymerized foam, therefore your polish provides the abrasive ability as
opposed to the foam. Porosity is typically 95%, but can be as high as 98%,
typically resistance to compression is decreased while tensile properties like
elongation and resistance to tearing are increased. This pad design is
relatively soft so that some of the machines action (rotational or orbital) is
lost
·
Compression / Rebound - compression load deflection is the
measurement of how long the foam takes to regain shape after under certain
pressure, foam pads should be compressed to no more than approx. 50% of its
thickness
·
Tensile strength – the strength of a material refers to the
material's ability to resist an applied force
·
Density - provides a protective cushion allowing foam
compression to maintain constant surface pressure and it also lessens machine
vibration. It also affects the amount of polish the pad will hold; foams that
hold a high volume of product allows the polish to do the cutting, as opposed
to the abrasiveness of the foam.
·
Velocity - pad velocity is substantially increased with a larger
diameter pad, increased velocity will increase abrasive capability at the outer
edge of the pad.
Foam Pad Thickness
Standard foam pads - 1.25 inch pad thickness was set as an industry
standard because it prevented solvent residues and provided insulation from
friction heat from reaching the backing plate, either of which could compromise
the Velcro® (delaminate from the backing material). They have a rounded outer
edge for easy transitions over seams and edges, and there is also a safety
margin between the edge of the baking material and the foam with a ‘standard’
foam pad.
This foam density provides a
protective cushion allowing foam compression to maintain constant surface
pressure and it also lessens machine vibration.
OEM-style 7/8-inch foam pads - due to the reduced foam thickness tilting a 7/8 inch
pad will change the polishing pressure on the surface.
These foam pads are flat cut
on the top edge, as opposed to a standard 1.25-inch, which have a rounded outer
edge for easy transitions over seams and edges and the backing material is cut
back 3/8 of an inch around the perimeter of the pad to ensure a safety margin.
On the 7/8-ich foam pads the
backing material extends to the edge of the pad where it could scratch the
paint when working in close corners or around mirrors and wings. OEM-Style pads
are designed for high volume pad users where cost is a significant factor
Like all things related to
tools, pad thickness comes down to personal preference.
Pores per inch (PPI)
As an example you could purchase two seemingly similar pads
based upon their PPI rating, but one pad may have thicker walls between each
pore, be made of softer material, feature a reticulated or non-reticulated foam
structure (basically open or closed cell), or simply be a thicker (1.25 or
0.75-inch) foam, which can affect the machine's movements.
Compressible, open cell
polyether polyurethane reticulated foam is usually specified by pores per inch
(PPI).The greater number of pores per inch generally equates to foam that is
softer; and has less abrasive ability, less density, more porosity and easier
compression.
There is no recognisable
standard for the abrasive abilities of foam, other than a colour assigned; most
foam manufacturer’s that supply foam to detailer’s product vendor assign their
own colours to donate abrasion. On this basis a PPI rating allows abrasive
ability comparisons between different foams
Remember the flatter and
more uniform you make the surface, the greater the light reflection .While most
enthusiasts understand this principle when applied to polishing, the same is
true of finishing. The more uniformly you apply the final wax or sealant, the
greater the shine
Scale 30 – 100 pores per inch
(PPI)
•
Abrasive Cutting Foam (40 PPI)
•
Medium Cutting Foam (50 PPI)
•
Light Cutting Foam (60 PPI)
•
Finishing Foam (70 PPI)
•
Fine Application (80 PPI)
•
Ultra-Fine Finishing (100 PPI)
Note:
Stiffer (harder) pads (low PPI) create more surface resistance and consequently
more kinetic energy (surface heat)
The thicker consistency
products (i.e. a hard wax) seem to work best with a more porous pad; a very
tight pad used with these types of products seems to load up and clog the pad,
which in a turn leads to product clumping. When applying light consistency products
(i.e. liquid polymer) a more porous pad will absorb and waste product
Note:
Many foam pad mfg. do not use the PPI identification system
Equivalent Abrasive Rating
The grit rating on an
abrasive or polishing pad is an indication that a product is designed remove the surface scratches left
by finishing paper (i.e. 2500 grit scratches are removed by a 2500 grit rated
polish) it doesn't mean that it is a
2500 grit level abrasive.
•
The coarser the abrasive, the faster the cut
•
The more aggressive the pad, the faster the cut
•
Wool cuts faster than lamb’s wool, foamed wools are next, then
foam.
•
Foam pads generate more friction induced heat than wool pads
I would like to think that
these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to
professionals alike, as well as industry experts who seek to advance their
knowledge.
I hope the
above article was informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and
‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand
how the chemicals we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share this article as it
helps other detailers further their knowledge. Questions and/ or constructive
comments are always appreciated.
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