I need some education on PB's SSR products..

**skenzer** · 09-19-2007, 02:35 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm convinced that I did not work either of these products long enough when I did my last detailing job. I used the SSR2.5 with LC's Orange pad and the SSR1 with LC's White pad.

I guess I'm simply confused as to how I'm supposed to know when I should stop. Is there a look or feel to the product that I should be looking for in order to know that it is completely broken down?

And what exactly does it mean when I hear people say "work the product until it is broken down"? Does that mean that the product has been worked beyond it's usefulness?

Thanks for any tips and help you can provide this newbie
Brad

**makdaddy626** · 09-19-2007, 02:57 PM

Why do you feel that you didn't work it long enough? Unhappy with the results or just didn't take enough time?

Generally people will tell you that the appearance of the polish should change from an opague paste to a transcelucent powdery substance when it has been fully broken down. I recommend watching the many excellent how-to videos available on Autogeek.

My (limited) experiance thus far has been that in part it's just one of those things that you have to learn on your own once you have the general guidelines and varies from product to product and even to some degree from day to day (unless you're working in a very controlled environment) due to changes in temp. and humidity.

**skenzer** · 09-19-2007, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the help. Sorry I wasn't specific as to why I believe I didn't work it long enough. I'm not completely satisfied with the results I got. I still have light swirl marks throughout my Jeep that I know a PC and SSR2.5 can handle.

Basically, after reading some more information and watching some instructional videos (none on the use of PB's products but I get the basic idea) I think I just didn't take the product far enough.

I worked the SSR2.5 until it was somewhat clear..but not what I would call totally clear. And, on top of that, when I would wipe it off it was still pretty "wet" so to speak. It wasn't a simple wipe off like it would be if it were more at a powder type stage.

I also noticed that regardless of how well I initially spread the product out before kicking on the PC to 5 or 6 that it was quite messy to work with. I was getting particle spray all over. it was easy to clean up but it was quite messy so I wasn't sure if this was typical of this type of product either?

Sorry for the long post....thanks again for any help you can offer!
Brad

**makdaddy626** · 09-19-2007, 03:23 PM

I haven't used the PB products yet, but from what I've read here, some "dusting" is normal, but, if you're getting liquid product spraying out even after spreading and it's taking a long time to break the polish down, I would consider the amount of polish. How much are applying at a time?

**budman3** · 09-19-2007, 03:29 PM

Here is a simple list of what I do in order to get optimal results with the PB SSRs (my favorite polish with a PC or UDM):

-Always use a polishing pad (or orange light cut ... if careful) with SSR2.5 (it'll remove a ton of swirls, if not do another pass or bump up to another product)
-DO NOT PRIME WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE PRODUCT ITSELF (very crucial)
-Apply a thin bead of product around the pad for each section of the car or several dots around the pad.
-Spread it at whatever speed you want, work it in at Speed 6.... don't be afraid of speed 6.
-Work it in until very clear (may take a few minutes... see pics in link below)
-If the product begins to build up on the pad, brush off with stiff brush or wipe off excess polish with a terry towel
-Wipe off
-Admire no swirls
-Go to finer polish (if needed- with the polishing pad you most likely don't NEED to follow up but it wouldn't hurt).
-Do not use a new pad that hasn't been washed- Pads come from the factory with small foam particles left in the pad that look like product dust.

The orange pad will dry out the product faster so I usually use a white polishing pad. However, recently I used SSR2.5 with an orange light cut pad and was able to go right to wax.

blkyukon has pictures of what the SSR 2.5 looks like through its polishing stages:
Polish Break Down Stages - Poorboys SSR2.5

*You may need to tweak your techniques when using SSR2.5 in different weather conditions. The product is still usable in the sun but workability will diminish slightly and it's more apt to dry out faster.

Here are some 50/50 shots with SSR2.5 with a polishing pad on Chevy paint:

**blk45** · 09-19-2007, 04:58 PM

It seems like you have posted that once or twice before budman!

Great instructions, and yes blkyukon's videos are great examples of usage.

**skenzer** · 09-19-2007, 05:37 PM

yes, Budman has helped me out in the past and his instructions are excellent! I think I missed the word "thin" bead though....maybe that's where I've gone wrong. As Makdaddy mentioned above, I may be applying too much product to the pad. I guess that would explain why it's taking so long to break down and why I'm getting some spray from the PC.

**blk45** · 09-19-2007, 08:15 PM

Sounds like it. Try less and you should see much better results. Good luck!

**skenzer** · 09-19-2007, 08:36 PM

OK,
I'll give it a go with less product and see how it works for me...
thanks again you guys for your help!
Brad

**Jimmie** · 09-20-2007, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by budman3

Here is a simple list of what I do in order to get optimal results with the PB SSRs (my favorite polish with a PC or UDM):

-Always use a polishing pad (or orange ... if careful) with SSR2.5 (it'll remove a ton of swirls, if not do another pass or bump up to another product)
-DO NOT PRIME WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE PRODUCT ITSELF (very crucial)
-Apply a thin bead of product around the pad for each section of the car
-Spread it at whatever speed you want, work it in at Speed 6.... don't be afraid of speed 6.
-Work it in until very clear (may take a few minutes)
-If the product begins to build up on the pad, brush off with stiff brush or wipe off excess polish with a terry towel
-Wipe off
-Admire no swirls

-Go to finer polish (if needed- with the polishing pad you most likely don't NEED to follow up but it wouldn't hurt).
-Do not use a new pad that hasn't been washed- Pads come from the factory with small foam particles left in the pad that look like product dust.

The orange pad will dry out the product faster so I usually use a white polishing pad. however, recently I used SSR2.5 with an orange light cut pad and was able to go right to wax.

blkyukon has pictures of what the SSR 2.5 looks like through its polishing stages:
Polish Break Down Stages - Poorboys SSR2.5

That was excellent Budman. Thanks for the video link too.