How to polish with the flex faster?

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aburgeson

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I know that polishing takes time but after reading alot of threads it seems I am going way too slow. I have a customer with an Audi A8 that wants his car polished, going to use M205 as the swirls are not bad, and then top it with WG sealant. I only have about 8 hours with the car though. This has to include wash, clay, polish, wax and tire dressing. Is this too much to do in that amount of time. I know that the A8 is a large car. I seem to struggle with mid size sedans taking about 8 hours. Any tips on how to improve overall speed in this process? I'm not trying to compromise my work but I'm also trying to keep the customers time in mind as well. Any tips would be great. Thanks again guys
 
Well, it all depends on the customers expected result ?

Did you promise 90% defect removal ?

Or you just told him its a one step and can expect 40-70% defect removal ?

If your using 205 in 8 hours you can and will get good results, but not perfection, then again im pretty sure you didnt tell him near perfection cause your only using 205.

So yes you have enough time, swap pad and clean frequently to maximize cutting and finishing ability.
 
Goodluck removing swirls with M205 on hard Audi paint.
 
I just did an 01 red Formula on Sunday. 7 hours full 2step plus sealant. I used Boss 21, microfiber pads, and Flat Top. If you are doing polish only, you will be fine. As others have said, Audi paint is hard, so swirl removal will be minimal.
 
What do you think takes the longest? Going through the buffing cycle? Assessing the process? Cleaning your pad? Do you have a mobile cart, or do you have to walk back and forth from the the car to wherever it is you're keeping you supplies stationed?

I took up a lot of time continually looking for the "magic" combination - even after the test spot was dialed in. I've taken up time walking back and forth to my supplies because I didn't have a cart. I've taken up time not paying attention to the task at hand....

It's difficult to say what you're going to use without doing the test spot. There are things that work in theory, and things that work in practice. You may get to the job only to find that your selection of products isn't working, or at least not in a timely manner.

In these situations it's essential to have a fairly wide selection of pads, and polishes at your disposal. Nothing crazy, but if you need to give your M205 more "gas", will you have more aggressive pads on hand? Heavier cutting polishes/compounds?

A lot of variables, but if you're adequately prepared, you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting done in a timely manner.
 
aburgeson said:
I know that polishing takes time but after reading alot of threads it seems I am going way too slow. I have a customer with an Audi A8 that wants his car polished, going to use M205 as the swirls are not bad, and then top it with WG sealant. I only have about 8 hours with the car though. This has to include wash, clay, polish, wax and tire dressing. Is this too much to do in that amount of time. I know that the A8 is a large car. I seem to struggle with mid size sedans taking about 8 hours. Any tips on how to improve overall speed in this process? I'm not trying to compromise my work but I'm also trying to keep the customers time in mind as well. Any tips would be great. Thanks again guys
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HD Adapt or Menzerna FG400 would be a good starting point.
 
I find the hardest thing is the buffing process, meaning the overlapping lines with the machine. Then dealing with the dust from 205, and I wasn't sure how hard the paint was which makes me more nervous haha. I do have a cart, but not when I'm mobile. I cant fit everything in my car. Pad washing does seem to be a problem but I just bought more pads and try to change them often.
 
I have had better success with Menzerna FG400 (or whatever they call it now) when it comes to correcting. I follow up with SF4500 (whatever they call it now) and IMO I have had better success with that brand then with Megs 105/205. That is me and might be different with others. German Paint is on the harder side and IMO Menzerna was designed for that or similar type paints.
 
aburgeson said:
I find the hardest thing is the buffing process, meaning the overlapping lines with the machine. Then dealing with the dust from 205, and I wasn't sure how hard the paint was which makes me more nervous haha. I do have a cart, but not when I'm mobile. I cant fit everything in my car. Pad washing does seem to be a problem but I just bought more pads and try to change them often.
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You say dust? I say HD Adapt, no dusting. But keep this in mind, what you're trying to do, faster speeds. Means dusting and blown out pads. Heat kills.
 
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Bob
 
Only clay where you need to. Try using a claying towel or pad instead of real clay. Personally, I use FG400 and work it long enough to let the abrasives brake-down properly. If the paint is hard, FG400 will be golden.
 
If the paint is as hard as it was for me on my Audi those light swirl marks may be harder to remove than you think. I ended up doing a 2 step with Menz 400/4000. I tried Adapt with a polishing pad and HD Cut+ with a MF pad and had to go to 400 with a MF cutting pad to get the desired result. That left some marring which was easily cleaned up with the 4000. I did also test Adapt and Finish+ after the fg400 and to me the clarity of the 4000 was just slightly better but I might have been wrong also but did know that any of the three would have been fine.

It may be quicker to get the desired results by doing a 2 step. To clear up the haze left by the MF pad and 400 went fairly quickly with the 4000 and the 1st step wasn't bad.

The defects in my paint were so hard to see that you really had to have the right light at the right angle to see them but took a pretty aggressive approach to remove.


Here are a couple isolated close up pics of before and after shots of the paint on my hood.

D1.jpg

D2.jpg


Here is as shot of the polishes I had access to and tested for my car to use before it got a WG Uber coating except the 3D 502 aat Finishing polish which didn't arrive on time.
P4071387.jpg
 
What pad manufacturer's polishing pad and color did you use with the Adapt?
 
I've never experienced M205 to dust.

I also find the 3401 to spin slower than my PC when running both at speed 6.

There were a number of times I swapped out the 3401 for the PC, which eventually led up to me selling it.

However, the 3401 is capable, and should be able to do the job in a reasonable time.

Maybe consider a more medium cut polish, like Menzerna PF2500. It will give really good cut, and finish down exceptionally well. One of my very favorite polishes.
 
I have to use a cart. I'm old and I like everything within arms reach.
 
Honestly if it were me trying to tackle a larger vehicle such as the A8 in a specified time frame, I would use a AIO vs. a polishing session with M205. The AIO is going to give similar levels of correction while adding protection at the same time.

This way I can focus more on the finer details such as polishing the exhaust tips, cleaning up the door jambs, etc. and not have to worry about feeling rushed and making sure I take care of every exterior aspect while delivering the car ahead of schedule. If there is time to spare at the end, you can give it a spray wax to further amplify the shine.
 
I have been using larger pads with my new Flex 3401 and have cut my time down as a result. And as previously noted, i have used M205 with a wide range of pad selection to get more or less bite out of it. I have 1 stepped with M205 many times and on several different paints.
 
PF2500 on an LC orange or white pad will remove a good amount of swirls and leave a nice finish. with being on a time crunch you need to set the level of expectation(i.e. 4 section passed per section wil get the car done on time, but wont get out as many swirls as 6 section passes). i'm not sure how well Carpro Essence works with the Flex, but it is a great option.
 
Zubair said:
Goodluck removing swirls with M205 on hard Audi paint.
Click to expand...

+1

Some people do not like MF Cutting pads on the 3401; but I find that they work very well on harder paint systems. I pair the 6", Meguiar's DAMC with M100.

If you need something local or in smaller quantities, Ultimate Compound will work as well.
 
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