How do you polish small areas?

Marc08EX

Marc08EX

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Hey gang,

I currently have a Flex 3401 VRG and a Meguiar's G100. Everyone seems to be using the Flex as their go-to polisher based on this thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/25357-3401-anyone-elses-default-go-polisher.html
I completely agree that the the Flex is a powerful tool and I can't imagine working on detailing jobs without it. Now my question is that how do you guys polish the small areas such as the 2-4" roof part in between the moon roof and the front windshield, the a-pillars, painted window sills, the small portion on the roof beside the moon roof, and rear pillar? The Flex can only be used with 6.5" pads and if you're daring enough, 5.5" pads... But even the 5.5" pads aren't small enough to fit in those small areas.

Also, I'm thinking about buying a rotary as well but I'm really afraid of the potential damage it could cause.. does the rotary polisher really hasten up the job compared to the flex 3401?

I would love to hear how you guys deal with these small areas.

Thanks!

Regards,
Marc
 
use the DA, get the 4" pads or smaller with the correct BP. Or you can do it by hand.
 
rohnramirez said:
use the DA, get the 4" pads or smaller with the correct BP. Or you can do it by hand.
Click to expand...

Will the DA have enough correcting power though? What pads do you use for this?

Thanks1
 
I use a stronger abrasive and do it by hand.. then use a less abrasive polish by hand..
 
Thanks for the responses guys!!! Much appreciated! I guess it's now time to order on some 4" pads... Man I'm spending too much on detailing supplies *sigh*
 
I just got the Griots 3" PC to get into those really tight areas. Like under the rear wing, door jams, under the hood, etc.

With those tiny three inch pads and small little body it fits in just about anywhere. Now it won't do really heavy correction but the areas I find to use it in generally don't have major problems.
 
I just did a full correction on a Mercedes with a Ceramiclear clear coat and the 4" pads worked wonders with my G110v2. You can get in all kinds of tight spots with them
 
Jumpingbean said:
I just did a full correction on a Mercedes with a Ceramiclear clear coat and the 4" pads worked wonders with my G110v2. You can get in all kinds of tight spots with them
Click to expand...

That must have taken a very long time. How big was your work area per section?
 
Depending on the situation and the amount of correction it'll be either by hand or I switch to a 3" diameter pad on my Makita rotary or Flex polisher.
 
oldmodman said:
I just got the Griots 3" PC to get into those really tight areas. Like under the rear wing, door jams, under the hood, etc.

With those tiny three inch pads and small little body it fits in just about anywhere. Now it won't do really heavy correction but the areas I find to use it in generally don't have major problems.
Click to expand...

Jumpingbean said:
I just did a full correction on a Mercedes with a Ceramiclear clear coat and the 4" pads worked wonders with my G110v2. You can get in all kinds of tight spots with them
Click to expand...

Rez90 said:
I use my PC with 4 inch pads for small areas.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the responses guys!!! Does it take you a lot longer to correct using the 3" or 4" pads? What pads do you use mostly? LC orange?

BobbyG said:
Depending on the situation and the amount of correction it'll be either by hand or I switch to a 3" diameter pad on my Makita rotary or Flex polisher.
Click to expand...

This is the reason why I want to buy a rotary lol!
 
Bunky said:
That must have taken a very long time. How big was your work area per section?
Click to expand...

I should clarify my post. I mostly used 6.5" pads but the 4" came in really handy for the tight spots. Yes it took me quite a while to do. I did about an 18x18" section at a time. It was a SLK 55 AMG which is a 2 seat hard top convertible so there was a little less surface area than say a 4 door sedan.

Seriously, who jumps right to a Ceramiclear for their first full correction?!?!?! Hahaha I guess I do....
 
Marc08EX said:
Thanks for the responses guys!!! Does it take you a lot longer to correct using the 3" or 4" pads? What pads do you use mostly? LC orange?
Click to expand...

I'm no expert, I'm just starting out myself but I use bigger pads. Most will suggest the 5.5" pads but I've gotten very good results with the 6.5". I didn't do enough research before jumping in and just bought the 6.5 pads before seeing that everyone prefers the 5.5. However, the 6.5 still work quite nicely...
 
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