Hey guys i was just wondering how do you guys decide which product or pad you would use for your first test spot? I know after awhile you get use to using certain pads and products but in each case you will need to make some sort of educated judgement on what to try first.. whats your process??:thankyousign:
How do you choose which product and pad to use on each detail?
- Thread starter BRLAHTI
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beamerstrumpet
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- Jun 14, 2013
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test spots,, and in the words of Mike,, "Find a product you like and stick with it." Learn how it works on different types of cars. Yet some products are better for certain things than others.
RTexasF
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- Jun 2, 2006
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Initially trial & error then experience. For instance, the "use the least aggressive method" to achieve the desired results statement. After some time in grade and experience you realize that "least aggressive method" is all relative. That new Honda you just did last week required next to nothing to get in shape but the six year old neglected single stage white Toyota paint you've got in front of you wouldn't even respond to that last method. Your experience tells you to step up in both pads & chemicals for the least aggressive method for that particular job and go from there. Make any sense? Time & experience mean a great deal but it all begins with trial & error.
After a while you know from experience that the white pad and AIO that worked on the Honda won't even faze the Toyota paint so you step it up to an orange pad and a stout polish. After even more experience you know what it will take for that Toyota paint and go to a yellow pad and a compound (for instance) saving lots of time. It all begins with experimentation, remembering what you've done in the past, and remaining open minded to new situations you haven't come across yet.
After a while you know from experience that the white pad and AIO that worked on the Honda won't even faze the Toyota paint so you step it up to an orange pad and a stout polish. After even more experience you know what it will take for that Toyota paint and go to a yellow pad and a compound (for instance) saving lots of time. It all begins with experimentation, remembering what you've done in the past, and remaining open minded to new situations you haven't come across yet.
Kamakaz1961
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- Aug 23, 2013
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:iagree: I stick with Menzerna Products for Paint correction. However, when it comes to waxes....I SUCK at sticking to 1 product of wax...LOL Right now I am at 10 jars of wax from Collinte to (now) PBL Synergy. It is fun trying all different waxes.
dad07
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- Nov 9, 2010
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:iagree:that sums it up right there!
Paul A.
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- Dec 21, 2007
- 5,276
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I have developped somewhat of an "expectation" on every job i get. What that means is i base my test spot on what i think that paint on that car will respond to given the level of correction the customer wants. That answer does not help you answer your question but i started out by getting a feel for paint hardness reputations from you guys here. I filled my head with what the general scales and experienced opinions are per manufacturer and then, when confronted with them, tested out the validity of that "reputation" (also being careful to avoid the cases of atypical conditions...this "should" be soft but ain't budging). I once had an Audi that i could've used a hammer and chisel on! Sure enough...hard as diamonds. Then i remember the first black Honda... i had to whisper towards it in loving tones to persuade the swirls to lay flat. And there are incredibally wide variations in between and many times even some variations at spots on the vehicle you have in front of you.
Basically, for me, i got used to the reputations many paints have and then do maybe a 1'x1' test spot on the hood with whatever i thought might be most effective. You eventually get much better at evaluating what you think will be the best product, pad, machine, speeds etc. I also use a limited number of products and have gotten used to the working characteristics of those few products. I have found i have developped enough variations to the effectiveness by varying pads, speeds, machines etc.
I should mention that i have also done a test spot or two that yielded too much removal, too aggressive an effort to level the paint. Again...the beauty of a TEST. And by keeping it down to a small size i can correct my approach without leaving a glaring patch of "over correction".
Again, i remembered the general manufacturers hard/soft reputations and then made an educated guess then confirmed or denied my approach through trial and error. After a few years now i've gotten better and faster with my test spots.
I will say that you guys with more experience than me are incredibally reliable for guidance on what might work best for a particular paint. For that i thank you all.
Edit: whoops...was typing out my post and hadn't fully read all the replies so far. I basically said what RTexas said and he was spot on. Doesn't surprise me...he is one of those "pro's" i have learned a lot from!
Basically, for me, i got used to the reputations many paints have and then do maybe a 1'x1' test spot on the hood with whatever i thought might be most effective. You eventually get much better at evaluating what you think will be the best product, pad, machine, speeds etc. I also use a limited number of products and have gotten used to the working characteristics of those few products. I have found i have developped enough variations to the effectiveness by varying pads, speeds, machines etc.
I should mention that i have also done a test spot or two that yielded too much removal, too aggressive an effort to level the paint. Again...the beauty of a TEST. And by keeping it down to a small size i can correct my approach without leaving a glaring patch of "over correction".
Again, i remembered the general manufacturers hard/soft reputations and then made an educated guess then confirmed or denied my approach through trial and error. After a few years now i've gotten better and faster with my test spots.
I will say that you guys with more experience than me are incredibally reliable for guidance on what might work best for a particular paint. For that i thank you all.
Edit: whoops...was typing out my post and hadn't fully read all the replies so far. I basically said what RTexas said and he was spot on. Doesn't surprise me...he is one of those "pro's" i have learned a lot from!
VP Mark
New member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 2,451
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Experience, nothing really beyond that. A lot of times first guess works great other times working on cars that are repainted I will have a stack of pads and multiple products trying to dial in what works best/quickest.
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