Rotary only??? 3M Ultrafina

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markm

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Why is 3M's ultrafine polish rated to only be used with a rotary polisher? What would happen or not happen if it was used with a DA or by hand? Would a Flex at higher speed count as a rotary to apply the polish? If it is applied with a rotary will it really elimanate buffer trails? I know I could try all this and form my own opinion but I want an expert opinion.

Thanks,
Mark M.
 
I've used Ultrafina with my Flex DA and it seems to do about the same as it does via rotary for me.

Of course you can't really use the 8" Ultrafina pad with it, but I've found that one of the ultra finishing pads from LC or the Meg's black finishing pad (SB 2.0) does fine.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I've used Ultrafina with my Flex DA and it seems to do about the same as it does via rotary for me.

Of course you can't really use the 8" Ultrafina pad with it, but I've found that one of the ultra finishing pads from LC or the Meg's black finishing pad (SB 2.0) does fine.
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3m makes a blue 6" pad.
 
Flex DA at 400rpm vrs. rotary at 1800 rpm is a big difference.
 
I would like to believe it has to do with the heat breaking down the polish correctly. Use Menzera P085RD for a DA. Just remember though that a rotary will finish better than a DA if done correctly.
 
I'm no pro or expert by any means but...

Today I used 3M Ultrafine on a 6.5" LC Gray Flat Pad with my Flex 3401 to clean up after Menz Power Gloss on LC Cyan Hydro-Tech (great combo BTW). It may seem like a BIG gap, Power Gloss w/ Cyan HT pad to Ultrafine w/ Gray pad, but it worked wonderfully. The Ultrafine gave the best results I could imagine to be possible with a fine polish and a foam pad. High gloss, excellent clarity (flake really pops!) and totally free of marring. I'll be doing a write up on the process I did soon. Even though a rotary has much higher rpm's, I really don't think that the Flex is "unable" to sufficiently work 3M Ultrafine to a flawless finish, I mean, I just finished doing it. :D

Good luck with any work you do and be sure to post some pics!
 
I guess I will just have to try it in a real situation. I will make several test panels on a swirled out black panel and see if I can see results. I'm sure there are still others that have tried it. Thanks for the responses.

Mark
 
There is a 3M video that talks about UF and how it needs to be worked above 1500 rpm's to get the best results. It may work pretty good with a DA, but the full potential is relieved when used with a rotary. :props:


I'll try and find the video...
 
markm said:
I guess I will just have to try it in a real situation. I will make several test panels on a swirled out black panel and see if I can see results. I'm sure there are still others that have tried it. Thanks for the responses.

Mark
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The paint should already be 99% swirl free before you go to use UF. ;)
 
I've used it with both. There is nothing wrong with using Ultrafine with a 3401. Even on the softest paints, it still leaves an awesome finish.
 
zinc02gt said:
Just remember though that a rotary will finish better than a DA if done correctly.
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THIS!
Using the Menz or the Ultrafina you can really get a dramatic finish with a rotary. Not saying that it CAN'T be achieved with a DA, but practice your rotary technique and you'll get a better finish usually.

Also like Rasky said though - you should already be "99% correct" before using one of these.

DLB
 
UF works a lot better with a rotary, it just doesn't play well with a da. Also like Rasky and DLB have said with UF you want the finish dam near perfect before using UF or it will fill. If you do a big jump like I have read either on this thread or another someone skipping a step and said it looked good, it without a doubt filled.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
UF works a lot better with a rotary, it just doesn't play well with a da. Also like Rasky and DLB have said with UF you want the finish dam near perfect before using UF or it will fill. If you do a big jump like I have read either on this thread or another someone skipping a step and said it looked good, it without a doubt filled.
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And sometimes it doesn't like to play at all LOL and you need to use something like 85RD
 
I have to do some up close inspecting in full sun and some IPA wipe downs to the test spot I'm working, but I'm pretty confident that Ultrafine DID NOT just fill. I don't doubt that you guy's know Ultrafine better than me, I'm just going off what I have experienced (most of which was yesterday). I'll thoroughly check my work and report back to this thread later today. :xyxthumbs:
 
After 5 wipe downs with IPA, wiped until clean and dry each time. In no way am I trying to discredit anyone with this post, it's just the results I got relating to the OP's question. :dblthumb2:

Here you can see the orange peel that I haven't sanded out yet. The smooth side was sanded with P1500 trizact on the pneumatic palm sander, polished via flex with Menz PG on Cyan HT then 3M ultrafine on gray LC.
Sunshot13.jpg


Sunshot12.jpg


Sunshot11.jpg



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsJIFrJnkLw]YouTube - Sun shot vid[/video]
 
Am I wrong in remembering that IPA wipe downs can also cause paint swelling and defecting hiding and that you have to watch for defect return 3 or 4 days after the wipe down? Maybe i am wrong but I think i brought this up before and the issues was only chimed in on my dana?

Either way it is a nice finish but i have obtained swirl free finishes with PB's SSR lines and a PC XP on LC pads... The top notch guys on here use UF as a third step usually to bring an insane amp'd up finish to the car? Its their OCD getting every last bit of gloss and shine out of a car.:buffing:

Just thoughts
 
I wonder if UF outperforms menz 85RD when both are applied with a flex. Also I would like to see the difference between UF applied with a rotary and the flex. And the Flex and a PC. If the weather is good this weekend I will try to compare them unless someone has already documented this. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it but inquiring minds want to know.
 
Da Fats said:
Am I wrong in remembering that IPA wipe downs can also cause paint swelling and defecting hiding and that you have to watch for defect return 3 or 4 days after the wipe down? Maybe i am wrong but I think i brought this up before and the issues was only chimed in on by dana?:buffing:

Just thoughts
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I've never heard that, interesting. Got a link to the thread discussing the topic? Thanks for bringing it up, I'm still learning. :)

markm said:
I wonder if UF outperforms menz 85RD when both are applied with a flex. Also I would like to see the difference between UF applied with a rotary and the flex. And the Flex and a PC. If the weather is good this weekend I will try to compare them unless someone has already documented this. I suppose I shouldn't worry about it but inquiring minds want to know.
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I'd like to see your results!
 
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