Soft BMW clearcoat- 5" or 6" pads?

[archer28]

Hey all, first post and new to the forum.
Finally bought myself a new (to me) 2006 330i and I have been lurking, learning how to properly bring the paint back to life.

The clear on this car seems pretty soft. I borrowed a Makita rotary buffer from the auto body shop at the school where I work (and have been practicing on my old ford ranger), but after reading here, I'm going to be purchasing a safer buffer (probably a griots) from autogeek.

I see that the 7424 has the 5" kit that everyone seems to like, while the griots only comes in 6" kits.

Will the 6" be better to use with the softer bmw clear?

What products will I need to take out deeper scratches (after 2000 grit wetsanding)?

I have 3m rubbing compound, 3m cleaner wax, and 3m performance finish as well as some KIT scratch remover.

Thanks

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:

I see that the 7424 has the 5" kit that everyone seems to like, while the griots only comes in 6" kits.

The Griot's comes with a 6" backing plate and there's little to no safety margin when using a 6" backing plate on a 5.5" buffing pad so any Griot's pads or kits for their polisher is going to have 6.5" pads.

I have a lot of articles on DA Polishers, one even has lots of hi res pictures showing backing plate and buffing pad options here,

5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers


Here's just a small portion of the above article, I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Griot's 6" backing plate too large to safely use with 5.5" foam buffing pads

Backing plate overhangs past foam pad

Will the 6" be better to use with the softer bmw clear?

5.5" buffing pads perform/rotate best on DA polishers that are not direct drive, they also fit the thinner panels on most new/modern cars better too...

What products will I need to take out deeper scratches (after 2000 grit wetsanding)?

I have 3m rubbing compound, 3m cleaner wax, and 3m performance finish as well as some KIT scratch remover.

Thanks

The 3M compound is not recommended for use with a DA Polisher but you can use it with a rotary buffer. You can try using it with a DA Polisher but it will likely leave DA Haze which is small tick mark scratches in the paint. I have an article on these types of defects too with hi res pictures also.


Keep in mind factor paint is SUPER thin, I just answered a question via Facebook for a buy that burnt through the paint on a yellow Porches, now he has to go through the hassle of fixing it at his expense.

Why are you sanding?

Maybe just remove the majority of swirls and scratches and live with the rest?

See my comments in these articles,


Beginning Clearcoat Failure

Wetsanding - Fresh Paint vs Factory Paint


All of the above articles are listed in my article list...

 

[archer28]

I'm only plan on sanding some small, deep scratches. The majority of the paint is great, and doesn't look to have many swirls at all.

I will also be using the polisher on my 93 ford truck that was very badly oxidized when I got it. I've already used the rotary buffer and the rubbing compound on the truck, and it looks much better but the next steps will be where I guess I need to use the DA polisher.

Lastly I have an older 94 BMW 325 that I want to try and polish. It has lots of small scratches that need to be addressed.

I was actually thinking of getting the griots buffer, buying a 5" plate, along with the microfiber cutting pads and some regular foam pads, but looking at what it would cost, I would probably be better off just getting one of the 5" PC kits.

Thanks for the reply Mike