Polish
Methodology (polishes and pad selection)
What
polish / pad combination to use - there are far too many variables to answer
this question with a viable solution.
There are a multitude of question about polishing and pad / compound that can be answered with something as simple as ‘use a test panel’
Diagnosis
is the key; not guesswork; examine the vehicles bodywork, a ‘bag-test will
ascertain the need for paint surface decontamination and a 3M Sun Gun or a
Brinkman light will help you find any evidence of surface blemishes i.e. swirl
marks and scratches.
The
most important first step in the process of paint surface detailing is
diagnosing the paint surface; density of clear coat (hard or soft) or single
stage paint, surface condition; ascertain the severity of the surface blemishes
with an inspection light and the paint thickness available. The paintwork
should be evaluated with a paint thickness gauge to see what thickness of clear
coat remains before you decide how much paint renovation can be safely carried
or wither paint preservation would be the appropriate option, before you
proceed, measuring with a paint thickness gauge will dictate the choice and
abrasiveness of polish / compound for correction or renovation level required
or indeed possible
However
there is a methodology that can be used to identify what will work to meet your
detailing goals for a particular vehicle
Test Panel
Area
The
differing density (hardness) of paints react differently to correction, so
before beginning to polish measure the paint thickness (PTG) panel by pane to
ensure that you do not select an aggressive polish that will reduce too much
clear coat.
Then
select a ‘typical’ panel; one that represents the type of defects that you want
to remove and the finish level required. Select an area of 18 x 18-inches and
tape it off with painter’s tape, as this is an optimal working section to perform
a product test spot; this will help establish a polish – pad combination that
will produce the best possible finish that corresponds to your detailing goals
for the vehicle.
Pay
attention to how the paint is responding to your inputs. Stop and evaluate your
progress, once this is established; repeat the process over the entire paint
surface, adjusting abrasiveness for any low paint thickness.
There
may be some areas that have deeper scratches, which will necessitate a more
abrasive polish. This is known a ‘spot-correction’. Once this area(s) are
completed revert to the original polish / pad combination, there is no need to
remove any more clear coat than is necessary
Experience
will teach you how your polish/pad combination ‘feels’ as it goes through the
various stages; i.e. cutting, to polishing stage and finishing stages, just
when the polish lubrication has dried up (this is usually when a polish starts
to produce ‘dust’), this is where you stop, wipe off the polished area, inspect
the paint surface and either clean the pad, apply more polish or change it for
a clean fresh one.
There
comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the
clear coat 0.3 Mil > (8 µ) and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the
imperfection (these can be aesthetically masked by using a Glaze)
Using
a medium abrasive polish and a rotary polisher will remove approximately 0. 1
Mil (3µ micron) range 0.08 – 1 Mil (2 – 25µ) from the paint surface (typically
4 passes at 1500-1800 RPM) Common sense needs to be part of the equation also,
but there are many variables such as the abrasive grade of the polish or
compound and speed and pressure used that may affect the paint removed)
These
numbers should be checked with a paint thickness gauge (PTG) There comes a point
when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat
and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection.
These numbers are
offered as a guide only, as there are too many variables to provide any more
than an approximation.
Testing the paint surface
Always
follow the rule of starting with the
least abrasive combination, i.e. a machine polish and the least aggressive
foam or wool pad (working smarter not harder) The most important first step in
the process of paint surface detailing is diagnosing the paint surface; density
of clear coat (hard or soft) or single stage paint, surface condition; ascertain
the severity of the surface blemishes with an inspection light and the paint
thickness available.
Measuring
with a paint thickness gauge will dictate the choice and abrasiveness of polish
/ compound for correction or renovation level required or indeed possible.
Assess the correction level working through the range of polishes from the
lightest abrasive upwards until the desired level of correction is reached.
Selecting the correct pad / polish combination for the vehicles paint / defects
can take just as long as the paint correction process
When
removing defects from the paint surface, consider not only which polish /
compound you'll be using, but how you'll be using it. You choice of machine
speed, pad construction, pad size and applied pressure will all impact the
abrasive abilities of the polishing liquid.
Decide
on a one, two or three step polishing routine and select a suitable pad. After
testing a section to confirm this method, Select an area of 18 x 18-inches and
tape it off with painter’s tape, as this is an optimal working section to
perform a product test spot; this will help establish a process that will
produce the best possible finish, once this is established repeat the process
over the entire paint surface.
Select a ‘typical’ area - (one that represents the type
of defects that you want to remove) and starting with the least abrasive polish
and / pad combination. If the first test
doesn’t produce the finish you’re looking for move to a different spot and try another pad/polish combination. Then proceed until the defects
are removed. This is the polish / pad combination you’ll need to use
Always be willing to learn;
because the more you learn, the more you’ll realize what you don’t know.
It is said
that knowledge is power, with the caveat that it includes access to a reliable
information sources. I
would like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to
detailing and to professional’s alike, as well as industry experts who seek to
advance their knowledge.
I hope the article are 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 these articles
as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
As always if you have questions, I’ll do my best to
answer; bear in mind the only stupid questions is the one that was
unasked. Questions and/ or constructive comments are always appreciated
No comments:
Post a Comment