Hello from Illinois

[AAE]

Hi, My name is Kent and I have been performing mobile paint repair (repainting bumpers and such) for dealerships for 8years. I consider my ability to buff out deep scratches to be very good(this will be the last of my bragging). I use the Dewalt 402 with wool pads and compounds from Malco. I wipe the area down after buffing with alcohol to remove any residues that may be hiding damage. I have been pretty happy with the Light Finish but it does sling a lot.

My weakness, is in finishing out the buff job. Rare is the time I would eliminate the swirls from the wool. It was never really an issue. However, I recently watched my competition and noticed that all they did was use a cyclo to polish the car and were, I think, merely hiding scratches with product. I have a PC7336SP but never liked it. The pad never seem to spin. I also have a cyclo but have not used it a lot either. I think it would do a great job once I get the right pads and product, which I hope you can direct me too.

I am also considering doing some exterior detailing(basically paint perfection) as a side interest. People are hanging onto their cars longer now and it may be an opportunity to use the skills I have developed over the years for customers that would appreciate it unlike dealers.

I look forward to being a student of your teaching. Please feel free to PM me if you want with any thoughts/questions at anytime. I am also interested in your thoughts on what I have presented here. How, much $$ do you charge for a paint perfecting on daily drivers. It all comes down to the Benjamins.

Thanks again!
Kent

[cutter]

To AGO!!!

It sounds as if you have some good work experience behind you. I haven't used a PC but I do have a Cyclo Pro, and I use the Lake Country Orange Pad for compounding, the LC White Pad for polishing, and the LC Blue Pad for applying wax or sealant. Lake Country Hydro-Tech 4 x 1.25 Inch Foam Pads, Hydrotech foam buffing pads, spot polishing pads, dual action pads

If you're looking for a DA with forced rotation, the Flex 3401 is the one you will want to purchase. Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer
It is a very powerful DA and helps to cut the time and energy put into correcting paint.

Again, welcome to AGO, it is a great forum, and Autogeek (PBMG) is a great company!

[Kaleb G.]

Welcome from bloomingon-normal.

+1 for foam pads.

[FUNX725]

You'll find this forum is an excellent arena for sharing information...I know I have!

Bob

[ThirdgenTa]

Welcome fellow Illinoisan!

[2kredbb6]

Welcome to AG..
+1 on the Flex 3401

Also from Illinois, Aurora IL.

[ziggo99]

Welcome from Murphysboro, IL.

[waxman1]

welcome from the springfield area

[AAE]

Dang, must be some dirty cars in IL. So why the flex over the cyclo? Is it better than the Dewalt too?

Why do you guys shy from wool? I love my wool pads. I never could cut much with foam.

[zkeeper]

Welcome from Belleville, Ill. And there are lots of dirty cars in this state. BUT, note this well, its one of our best brag points---- we are one of the few states in the nation where our governors make our liscence plates personally. They really get involved down to this level here--you gotta admire that kind of personal attention to detail from a governor.