Methods and Products for Buffing A Customers Car?

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ryanfelix

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Hello Everyone, I recently decided that I wanted to start a mobile detailing business. I live in an area where it snows and rains periodically and I wanted to put an emphasis on my services being long lasting. I Figured that I would buff with either Wolfgang TSR or Wolfgang Finishing glaze, and seal the paint with Wolfgang Paint Sealant. I know these products are pricey, but after buying in bulk, I calculated that the cost per car really wasn't that bad.
Anyways, today I used my Flex 3401 for the first time using Wolfgang TSR. I did about 6-8 section passes, like the DVD by PBMG that came with it recommended. Everything looks good, but my only issue is time. Sealing the paint didn't take long at all, so I don't think that using an ALL-In-One product would really make much of a difference time wise. I know Wolfgang TSR has diminshing abrasives, so I felt that it was neceesary to work the product completely, but it just took forever to do the car. So, my question is, how can I speed things up? Would a different product allow me to do less passes and still get a decent result? Thanks in advance, Ryan
 
I don't mean to sound critical, but I think you may want to consider the business for later. Figure out your technique first, and then figure out business.

I haven't used Wolfgang, but I really like Meguiar's and Optimum compounds and polishes. They are pretty quick and Meguiars M101 is an insanely strong abrasive that should only take a few passes to remove just about anything. On medium to soft paints, it will leave a lot of marring behind.
 
ihaveacamaro said:
I don't mean to sound critical, but I think you may want to consider the business for later. Figure out your technique first, and then figure out business.

I haven't used Wolfgang, but I really like Meguiar's and Optimum compounds and polishes. They are pretty quick and Meguiars M101 is an insanely strong abrasive that should only take a few passes to remove just about anything. On medium to soft paints, it will leave a lot of marring behind.
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100% agree. I wouldnt want my car taken to a guy who doesnt know what hes doing. Not that YOU dont know what your doing, your on the right track by coming to this forum, but you are new. Would you take your car to some new mechanic that just bought some tools, a repair manual but never turned a wrench in his life? I dont think so.

Learn the trade, practise on your own & families cars before you try to work on other peoples cars.

As far as faster cutting abbrasives, Meguiar's SMAT polishes deliver. Again, if you knew what you were doing you would know that. Expand your skill level, not just the stuff you see on AG. Good luck & have fun.
 
just like everyone else is saying,got to get some time under your belt with smat,dat products before you start workin on persons car you dont know.
 
I do agree with you all about not rushing into business. I should have mentioned that it was my own car that I was practicing on, and I do have some friends lined up that have offered their beaters for me to practice on. That would be pretty mess up lol..., buffing for the first time, on a customers car. Thanks for the advice, keep it coming
 
Do you think it is necessary to do 6-8 passes with the TSR? I saw a couple posts where people only did a single pass and their results seemed pretty good.
 
CM8 6MT said:
100% agree. I wouldnt want my car taken to a guy who doesnt know what hes doing. Not that YOU dont know what your doing, your on the right track by coming to this forum, but you are new. Would you take your car to some new mechanic that just bought some tools, a repair manual but never turned a wrench in his life? I dont think so.

Learn the trade, practise on your own & families cars before you try to work on other peoples cars.

As far as faster cutting abbrasives, Meguiar's SMAT polishes deliver. Again, if you knew what you were doing you would know that. Expand your skill level, not just the stuff you see on AG. Good luck & have fun.
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This
 
ryanfelix said:
Do you think it is necessary to do 6-8 passes with the TSR? I saw a couple posts where people only did a single pass and their results seemed pretty good.
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There is no "universal" number of passes to make. YOU make that determination yourself. Being able to read paint takes experience, you will learn that as time passes by.

The number of passes you will need to make will be determined by:

1. Paint type
2. Deffects
3. DA speed
4. DA pressure
5. Products being used
7. Pad type
8. Arm movement speed
9. Skill

Im sure there is some im missing, but thats a general idea. This is exactly why its important to do a TEST Spot. You will learn everything you need to know about the paint infront of you, think of it as "getting to know" the paint.
 
What pad were you using? That is a lot of passes with a 3401
 
I was using an Orange CCS Pad. I was planning on following up with Wolfgang Glaze on a white pad, but ran out of daylight. How do I know when the product has been completely broken down, and worked completely? can you describe what it might look like to me?
 
ryanfelix said:
I was using an Orange CCS Pad. I was planning on following up with Wolfgang Glaze on a white pad, but ran out of daylight. How do I know when the product has been completely broken down, and worked completely? can you describe what it might look like to me?
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DAT products such as WG and Menzerna will usually turn clear when their buffing cycle has ended.
 
ok thanks, I'll be paying more attention, looking for that on my next practice. Thanks for the advice...
 
Seems like that number of passes with an orange pad on a 3401 should do a pretty good job.
 
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