DA Swirl Remove/Finish Polish/Sealant Question

[BigRedNole]

I am completely new and I am trying to comprehend this. I have watched the "how-to" videos. I am under the impression that the 2x2 sections were done for the sake of keeping the videos shorter. I need to understand how to do the steps.

For example purposes only, lets assume the hood of the car represents the entire job. The hood can be sectioned off in six 2x2 sections to complete. I need to do the following:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Swirl Remover
4. Finishing Polish
5. Paint Sealant

I know I wash and clay the whole thing before getting to #3. However, once I get to number 3, I am not sure how it progresses.

Do I do section 1 on the hood completely (3, 4, 5) then move to section 2 or do I do #3 on all 6 sections then move to #4?

The reason I ask is if I do a section complete, how will "overlapping" a completed section react when steps 3, 4, and 5 are done again at the edges where the section meets?

I hope I am communicating this with enough understanding.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I am completely new and I am trying to comprehend this. I have watched the "how-to" videos. I am under the impression that the 2x2 sections were done for the sake of keeping the videos shorter.

That's incorrect. Because compared to a rotary buffer a DA Polisher is "gentle" to the paint you need to only tackle small sections at at time.

Removing defects means REMOVING PAINT, most clear coat paints are fairly hard as compared to traditional single stage paints and this makes it difficult to remove a little paint in an effort to flatten or level out the surface and thus remove the swirls.

You can't tackle half a hood just because you're arms are long enough to reach out and work half of a hood.

You need to tackle small sections at a time and then when you move on to a new section OVERLAP a little into the previous section for good UMR

UMR = Uniform Material Removal

Because you can only tackle about a 20" section at at time, (in most cases 2' is too larger plus most people own new cars and new cars don't have huge, flat panels anyways), you must break up each panel into sections.

I need to understand how to do the steps.

However, once I get to number 3, I am not sure how it progresses.

Do I do section 1 on the hood completely (3, 4, 5) then move to section 2 or do I do #3 on all 6 sections then move to #4?

If you're going to buff out the entire car in one day, then most people including myself would do each step to the entire car and after finishing a step, that is using a single product over all the paint and then wiping off the residue, then you would want to move on to the next step.

For older people I work with, busy people and people new to machine polishing, I will often times encourage them to ONLY tackle a panel or a portion of the car on a single day. That is only work on the hood or the hood and front fenders.

If you only tackle a panel or a section then it will still take 4-5 hours but you won't bet burnt out. You can work all the way up to wax or paint sealant and then quit. The work you've finished will hold up until you can tackle more of the car and it will look GREAT!

The reason I ask is if I do a section complete, how will "overlapping" a completed section react when steps 3, 4, and 5 are done again at the edges where the section meets?

I hope I am communicating this with enough understanding.

That's not a huge deal but if you clean, polish and wax/seal a fender and the spray splatter from your swirl mark remover onto the high gloss, clean dry surface, wiping the splatter off my induce swirls again and you'll be creating work for your self.

STart at the top of the vehicle and work down.

On a a show car and most cars I'll usually knock out the roof first, all the way through all the steps for 3 reasons which I've outlined somewhere on this forum....

Great questions!

But either tackle the entire car in one day or tackle a panel fo the car or a section of the car and do all of one process to the area you're working and then move onto the next process.

Panel = Hood, or Door or Roof, or Trunk lid.

Section = Part of a panel

Portion of a car = A collection of panels.


Does that whelp?

 

[BigRedNole]

Mike,
That explained it perfectly. This is what I needed. I have no clue how much can and cannot be done in a day. I have a long weekend to do it, so that helps.