FLEX L3403 VRG Question ?
- Thread starter ESSO
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Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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First, the PO85RD is a better finishing or jeweling polish than the M205 mostly because it's less aggressive, so test both because paints do react differently.
Second, the 1100 RPM range is so close to the normal 1000 RPM range that standard rotary buffers offer that it's not a major difference. I would say most people couldn't tell the difference between 1000 RPM and 1100 RPM when the pad is being pushed against the paint.
As for finishing out 100% swirl free using only a rotary buffer, the only way you can tell if you're really doing this is to chemically strip the paint using IPA, or MS or a Detergent Wash and then place the major panels in some kind of cruel, intense light, like overhead, bright sunlight and then visually inspect by looking closely from different angles. All three of these methods of chemically stripping the paint have the potential to undo the beauty you've created with the finish polishing or jeweling step.
But... that's how you would know for sure, otherwise you would just be guessing because the lubricating agents in polishes will act to mask any buffer trails or holograms the rotating pad "could" be inflicting.
Now if it looks great after you wipe the polish off and you don't want to take a chance at marring the paint or dulling it down or washing it and getting it all wet to verify your results then you can just go to wax or sealant assume your work is swirl free.
You could also finish out with a DA Polisher and ensure the finish is swirl free.
One thing for sure, paints are different and some paints are more "polishable" than others, so whether or not anyone can finish out swirl free on 100% of ALL paint finishes is questionable because it doesn't always come down to you and your skills and abilities, the paint itself is a huge factor as to what can and what cannot be done.
We had a number of people at our classes over the weekend that say they struggle with finishing out 100% buffer swirl or hologram free using only a rotary buffer and I explained the above to them and then in the class we show finishing out using a DA Polisher.
By changing the action of the tool, that is going from a direct drive rotating action to an oscillating action, you ensure a swirl free finish without having to chemically strip the paint.
After sanding, then using a rotary buffer to compound and polish the paint, we finished out with a DA Polisher and then chemically stripped the paint off of one of the demo hoods and then a number of students picked up the hood and carried it out into direct sunlight where we could really see what was what and the section of the hood that was finished out using a DA Polisher was in fact 100% swirl free and flawless, and we're talking black paint in full on sun.
From page 2 of this thread,
Pictures & Comments from January 30th Detailing 102 Class
I often see people talk about always finishing out swirl free using only a rotary buffer but never see anything that documents it by showing the paint being chemically stripped and then the car moved into direct overhead sun and taking either pictures or better yet, video that proves it.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7