Scrap Hood- Wetsanding

[Meghan]

Budman, thank you so much for testing out these methods for everyone. It is a big help to see the results, and thank goodness the experimenting is on a scrap piece! We do appreciate your time though, I have enjoyed this post. I am very interested in getting to know how to wet sand well! Scary at first, but you went about it the safe way, watch out bodyshops everywhere us Geekers will be lurking out back for scraps!

[m4gician]

I'm actually quite interested in the PC vs. UDM results,

Is this consistent with all swirl removal? Anyways, those wetsanded swirls, you removed them with Menzerna nano and a WHITE LC pad?! Wow. For heavy swirls i would assume at least an orange. But if you used a white that's amazing. Would you say that Menzerna nano is adequate with an organe pad for MOST swirl removal jobs?

[TexasTB]

I've picked up a few scrap fenders for testing from body shops. I first called the junk yards for scrap fenders for anything, dark colors, and they wanted a lotof $$, even if they were banged up....lol

here is one of my test panels...
scotch brite pad with sand as a lube....lol

after

[trlblazer3]

Budman, this thread has been a pleasure to read. Thank you for taking the time. I will be checking this again for your new tests and reviews!

I liked the info... my Dad wetsanded a spot on jhis truck. I gotta learn. ...
thanks Bud.

[klumzypinoy]

lol @ sand as lube. Man that panel is flawless on the polished half

[budman3]

Originally Posted by m4gician

I'm actually quite interested in the PC vs. UDM results,

Is this consistent with all swirl removal? Anyways, those wetsanded swirls, you removed them with Menzerna nano and a WHITE LC pad?! Wow. For heavy swirls i would assume at least an orange. But if you used a white that's amazing. Would you say that Menzerna nano is adequate with an organe pad for MOST swirl removal jobs?

I rarely use anything but LC White polishing pads.... whether it is with Menzerna or Poorboy's SSRs or even Optimum on the rotary.... I could have bumped up to an orange pad... but why? It'll cut more clear and may leave micromarring which you'd have to polish out some more. Doing it this way I can cut the swirls in one step and then go right to LSP . This was my first time polishing with the po106 and I am impressed even with a dual action polisher.

I may take Chris' technique and polish out those swirls next.... as long as people like these posts and I can think of stuff to do, I'll keep posting .

If you can I would strongly suggest picking up a fender or a hood to practice on... who knows you may find something that works that you may not have tried... or you'll find the limits of polishing or sanding or correctability or certain pad and polish combos.

[sparkie]

Awesome tread Budman, thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading and looking at all the pics. I have a place on my truck I'm going to try. Thanks to you, I believe I can do this.
I am giving you 5 stars for an awesome how to!

[budman3]

Thanks Sparkie .

I have a strong belief that the spinning action of the PC adds to the correction of paint. Since the spinning action is result of the orbiting of the machine it seems like the spinning is 'just for looks', as others say. So to find out the truth to this PC Myth, I went into the basement and did another test. The hood isn't in good shape anymore... I have added a lot of marks in the paint that are nearly impossible to remove, as you can see in the before and after pictures...

I added some swirls into the paint with dry 2000 grit sandpaper. I used the PC 7424, LC white 7.5" VC polishing pad and SSR2.5. I used the same amount of product (6-8 dabs or a thin bead around the middle of the pad) for the 1'X2' area and worked it in for 1 minute and 30 seconds. The right side is the PC untouches, ie spinning and juggling = dual action. The left side I held a microfiber onto the pad and backing plate to prevent the pad from spinning. I don't recommend to intentionally stop the pad from spinning because the MF actually melted...

The results are very similar... more testing and I would be able to close this myth .

Before swilrs (ones present are deep)




Right side done- spinning


Both sides finished


Right side (spinning)


Left side- orbiting

[pete detailer]

Hiya Budman try 1500 paper one way then 2000 the other way next time then you'll no what swirls your trying to slice out . Here in australia our paint is harder than yours and it works fantastic,cheers pete