Prepping smaller areas you can't polish with a DA?

[MisterShark]

My car currently has been treated to:

• monthly Meg's UQW
• weekly ONR wash w/ Optimum QD + Gloss Enhancer during drying
• semi-daily QD with Meg's UQD

So it's slicker than grease currently.

With Winter coming up I plan to use Poorboy's SSR2.5 followed by their Professional Polish in prep for a Collinite LSP application. A thorough wash and claying will proceed the above steps of course.

I'm about to get my PC DA and here's my question: how do I apply my polishes where it's too small an area or the surface is too variable (channeled/ribbed roof surface on my RAV) for the PC to be used? Can the polishes be applied and broken down sufficiently by hand in order to be readied for wipe-off?
Do I need to use a chemical-based paint prep product to strip the current UQW/UQD product layer from these non-DAable areas?

I know Mike subscribes to not working backwards with something like a paint prep product, instead opting to let the polish strip and prep for sealing. I also subscribe to this ideology; just don't know how it';s done in this particular situation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[loudog2]

Smaller pad won't fit? 4 inch CCS, 3 inch griots or others

 

[AeroCleanse]

For really tight areas I use either M105 or D151 on a microfiber applicator. Not sure about your specific products, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't do it by hand.

 

[O.C.Detailing]

I use a 3" BP and corresponding pads for tight areas on my rotary or the drill. Which ever is more convenient for me to grab at that second.

Other than inside door handles and such, where I just hand polish and seal those areas. Something as big as a roof needs to be machine done AFAIC. Too much real estate to polish that out by hand.

 

[MisterShark]

Thanks all for your responses.

I'm not opposed to hitting some smaller sections by hand; I just wasn't sure that a polish with diminishing abrasives could be broken down properly without a machine. I guess there's just a lot of rubbing required.

I just picked up my SSR2.5, PB Professional Polish, and PC 7424XP today, so my first go at it will be coming up soon.

 

[unclestu]

Thanks all for your responses.

I'm not opposed to hitting some smaller sections by hand; I just wasn't sure that a polish with diminishing abrasives could be broken down properly without a machine. I guess there's just a lot of rubbing required.

I just picked up my SSR2.5, PB Professional Polish, and PC 7424XP today, so my first go at it will be coming up soon.

Good luck with your first time using the PC7424 XP and lets see someicture:

 

[MisterShark]

Good luck with your first time using the PC7424 XP and lets see someicture:

Thanks. Will do.

I have a 2005 silver Mercury Sable that (to my knowledge) has never been through a complete detail featuring finish correction; just the occasional finish molestation by the local swirl-o-matic.
This is the car I plan to: wash, clay, SSR2.5, Professional Polish, Collinite 845. An interior detail will also be included with 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover, Optimum Power Clean and 303 Aerospace Protectant.

The black 09 RAV will follow with pretty much the same treatment with the exception of the SSR2.5 and the 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover (inside is pristine and already treated with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard).


The tricky part will be fitting these jobs in before it gets much colder here in Jersey. I'm about to start back up with part time Fall classes (working on bachelor's degree), I'm working on completing contruction of my backyard deck (been chugging along weekend warrior style all Summer on that) and of course there's the balancing act of being a husband and father to 2 little ones.
I need more than 24 hours in each day or a way to clone myself!!!

 

[CTS-Veo]

I would think that the areas like the ribbing on the roof would polish out fine with a PC. If you use a smaller pad, combined with the thickness of the pads, I would think that they would conform to the shape of the ribs...

 

[MisterShark]

I would think that the areas like the ribbing on the roof would polish out fine with a PC. If you use a smaller pad, combined with the thickness of the pads, I would think that they would conform to the shape of the ribs...

Thanks for the advice. I spoke with one of my local pro detailers and he confirmed what you speculated; he looked at my RAV's roof surface and said I'll have no problems.

I know I'm over-thinking this and all will work out well. It's just my nature to be overly cautious about stuff that's unfamiliar territory. I'm a technician by profession and I think that tendency just comes with the territory.

 

[CTS-Veo]

Oh yeah, I know what you mean. The old "better safe than sorry" aproach...

 

[Meghan]

When having to polish in tight areas I like to use this applicator. Works great by door handles and mirrors.

Wolfgang German Polish N’ Wax Applicator

 

[MisterShark]

When having to polish in tight areas I like to use this applicator. Works great by door handles and mirrors.

Wolfgang German Polish N’ Wax Applicator

Thanks Meghan.
I've seen those and was thinking along those lines, just wasn't sure if the polish would be able to be broken down thoroughly by hand.

Oh yeah, I know what you mean. The old "better safe than sorry" aproach...

zackly!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I've seen those and was thinking along those lines, just wasn't sure if the polish would be able to be broken down thoroughly by hand.

If the manufacture states the product can be used by hand then you should be able to break the diminishing abrasives down by hand.

Best thing to do when working by hand or machine is to do a test spot. Make sure you can make one small area look good with your choice of pads, products and process, (hand or machine), before tackling the entire car.

 

[MisterShark]

If the manufacture states the product can be used by hand then you should be able to break the diminishing abrasives down by hand.

Best thing to do when working by hand or machine is to do a test spot. Make sure you can make one small area look good with your choice of pads, products and process, (hand or machine), before tackling the entire car.

Thanks Mike, will do.

BTW, the products are Poorboy's SSR2.5 and Professional Polish.