Polish Advice Before Ordering

[ScottB]

Maybe I am off base but I look at it differently, the use of diminishing abrasives (Menzerna, WG) is safer as polishes start breaking down almost immediately into a lighter finishing polish rating with high gloss factoring.

Non-diminishing abrasives, in the wrong hands continues to cut and cut into the clearcoat until a novice feels it is time to give up. Since the polish doesnt break down, you are using the same original abrasive level (harsh when considering 105) and thus "could" do more damage over time. (ie. removing more clearcoat)

 

[Anderson]

Maybe I am off base but I look at it differently, the use of diminishing abrasives (Menzerna, WG) is safer as polishes start breaking down almost immediately into a lighter finishing polish rating with high gloss factoring.

Non-diminishing abrasives, in the wrong hands continues to cut and cut into the clearcoat until a novice feels it is time to give up. Since the polish doesnt break down, you are using the same original abrasive level (harsh when considering 105) and thus "could" do more damage over time. (ie. removing more clearcoat)

Okay, I just learned something new.... again.... didnt know there were even different kinds of polishes. I guess I havent spent enough hours reading up on this, although my wife doesnt think so.

Thats one thing I am "afraid of" when it comes to the polishing is that I will go too far too long and burn it to the bone and screw up my paint, or worse yet, a friend or family members paint. I definitely like the idea of using a diminishing abrasive so hopefully that doesnt happen.

"If you don't break down the polish enough, you can end up with swirls."

So for a newb like myself, how do you tell when the polish is broken down, specifically with WG TSR and FG? Is there a tale-tale sign or does it just come with experience?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions and knowledge in this. I definitely want to go with the WG combo now, but.... what happened to the 16oz combo? Last I saw they were on temp backorder and now I cant even get them to come up. Am I too late?

 

[ScottB]

Okay, I just learned something new.... again.... didnt know there were even different kinds of polishes. I guess I havent spent enough hours reading up on this, although my wife doesnt think so.

Thats one thing I am "afraid of" when it comes to the polishing is that I will go too far too long and burn it to the bone and screw up my paint, or worse yet, a friend or family members paint. I definitely like the idea of using a diminishing abrasive so hopefully that doesnt happen.

"If you don't break down the polish enough, you can end up with swirls."

So for a newb like myself, how do you tell when the polish is broken down, specifically with WG TSR and FG? Is there a tale-tale sign or does it just come with experience?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions and knowledge in this. I definitely want to go with the WG combo now, but.... what happened to the 16oz combo? Last I saw they were on temp backorder and now I cant even get them to come up. Am I too late?

When working a polish initially they are almost a liquid paste type look. As you "work them" they start to almost dry up a bit and then flash to a light cloudy look almost like a powder. This is the time to stop. Remove , and check with a wipe down to assure you got it done properly. Menzerna Finishing Spray helps .

Now not to overcomplicate this, but environment can play a part in a polish flashing as can using way to much product. So some dampen a pad or use a conditioner (environmental controls to allow longer working of polish). This is learned over time as you progress and see first hand while polishing. Over application too is learned as to much product often gums up pad and requires a new one as polish never seems to dry.

Burning the paint is often not as much the polishes fault (it certainly could be if you consistently used the most abrasive polish time after time after time) but more about improper use of the buffer itself. Slanting it on corner, allowing side of moving head to touch paint, using much to much pressure. So using a buffer properly , using pads that are larger than backing plate, and using the least abrasive polish and pads as needed are best advice.

It does seem complicated, but there is a natural feel to it. On the Corvetteforum I have many contacts old and young, novice to professional, and all are glad they took on a machine buffer and really felt comfortable quite quickly. It will take time and patience but these modern polishes arent as hard or quirky as some from the past. (I could tell you stories about Liquid Ebony -- but thats another story indeed).

 

[wfedwar]

For compounding, there is no equal to Meguiars 105. I've used others and will probably throw those in the trash eventually, since Meguiars 105 cuts faster and finishes much better.

Now, you could then finish out with either diminishing abrasive route (e.g., Menzerna, Optimum, Wolfgang, etc.) or non-diminishing (e.g., Meguiars 205. The advantage to Meguiars 205 is that you can get cut that is somewhere between Menzerna 106 and SIP, but still finish off like Menzerna 106. In that sense, Megs 205 is sortof like a medium and finishing polish in one.

In my mind, I still see a benefit to keeping a super-fine diminishing abrasive finishing polish (e.g., FPII, 85RD, UF, OF) on hand for finishing off soft paint. These polishes are basically an oil once they've broken down, so I'd think they would be capable of delivering the highest gloss. In practice, Meguiars 205 has finished off similar to FPII, so this may all be a mental exercise.

For me, Meguiars 105/205 allow me to keep only two polishes on hand and still be able to fill the whole spectrum of polishing needs from aggressive compounding to fine finishing.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

i have the pcxp too, i'm new to this also. i went with the megs twins (105 & 205) and love it. i had been doing 4 cars by hand for a year, & you just cant beat a machine.

Spoken like a true convert!

:dblthumb2:

In a nutshell, you have to be able to tell when the abrasives break down with WG TSR.

Just to note, it's not that hard to get great results with diminishing abrasive products, in fact until M86 came out followed by D151, followed by M105/M205, followed by UC, SwirlX and ScratchX, before all these products came out people have been getting great results with products that used diminishing abrasives for over 100 years.

With the Wolfgang TSR, if you're using a polishing pad or a cutting pad, after you've made about 4 to 6 section passes you've effectively broken down the diminishing abrasives and will have a clear finish.


A Section Pass is defined in the below thread.

Tips and Techniques for using the PC 7424XP Dual Action Polisher to remove Below Surface Defects

 

[Anderson]

Thank you ALL for your input!

I think you guys are converting me to the Megs Twins though, especially since the WG 16oz Combo doesnt seem to be around at the moment.

So for light to intermediate swirls I should try a pass with a white pad, or two if needed, and 205? Try that first then go for the orange if needed? I dont think I will need the 105 except for maybe the Saleen. After reading this thread and some other reviews of the 105/205 it seems that the 205 finishes down pretty well also, but I think I would grab a bottle of 85RD just to have in case. Use a blue pad on getting that finishing touch?

Thank you all again and hope everyone has as great a Christmas as I have had so far! Always a joy to see those ginormous smiles on the little ones faces.