Need more cut.

[Disciple]

Hi guys,

I started a full correction today on a 2007 Mercedes E280 (Black). The paint is in pretty bad condition - Terrible marring and a lot of swirls and some deep RIDS.

I can post pics later if I need to, but for right now I just have a question. I'm using a Concours 900 DA polisher with a Yellow Lake Country Foam pad and Menzerna FG500 compound. I'm finding I'm having to do 3, 4 or even 5 passes per section (When I say pass, I mean fully polishing the compound down, wiping the panel back, then putting new product on the pad and repeating). It took me about 5 solid hours today to do the trunk (boot lid), roof and A, B, C, D pillar areas.

I need more cut. What's holding me back here? My Concours polisher? Is there a harsher pad I can use? Wool pad maybe? Harsher compound? (FG500 I thought was pretty harsh)

Or, is it that Mercedes clear is just rock hard?

Help would be appreciated!

-Brett.

[Wheelzntoys]

See post #19

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/68561-pure-insanity-2.html#post931707

[SuperJay]

Disciple,

How did that job come out?

[Disciple]

Cyan Hydro pad has less cut than an LC Yellow pad... Does FG400 really have that much more cut than FG500??

Would I be better off with a lake Country Purple Wool pad?

Here's the before and after for anyone interested... This is after 4 passes with a Yellow LC pad + FG500 and a fair bit of pressure with very slow arm movement...

Before...

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/431/sxwn.jpg

After...

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/2120/hdoq.jpg

I haven't done a final polish yet. That'll be with a White LC pad and SF4500.

[HateSwirls]

I too found out working on a Benz isn't easy to correct.
A couple of years back I worked on a coupe , I tell you I didn't think I'd ever finish.
I tried a few compounds that worked but slow, I then took out my Ultimate Compound and it really made it faster to correct, don't ask me why but it did.
I used a LC yellow pad, the car was small but it took me like 22 hours to complete it and even then still have a few imperfections left but looked much better.
You'll just have to take your time, might want to try Wolfgangs Total Swirl Remover, that may help you a lot.
I've heard all but good things about it.

[Audios S6]

Wool or microfiber pad might be the way to go with this, but know that you will likely have to do a second step to clean up any haze or micromarring - this should still be faster than 3, 4 or 5 passes.

[cmoneyinc]

See post #19

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/68561-pure-insanity-2.html#post931707

I happen to be the author of Post #19, and yes, Mercedes ceramiclear is indeed that hard. FG400...ALL..DAY..LONG! I have never tried FG500, but from what I've read, FG400 has some pretty significant improvements.

Also, don't automatically discount the Cyan Hydrotech as having "less cut." It may be technically true that the foam itself may have less cut than a LC Yellow, but remember that it is a HYDROTECH pad, which means that it's specifically designed to work with a water-based compound like FG400. The pad absorbs less compound and keeps the compound on the paint, where it can do its job. This is what may make the "end result cut" superior than the yellow pad. Not to mention it will probably finish way better than the yellow.:xyxthumbs:

[VP Mark]

Get some megs M100. You won't be disappointed.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online

[cmoneyinc]

Here are some other tips that helped me:

-Work in smaller sections when doing heavy correction. If you are currently working a 2'X2' section, knock it down to around 16"X16".

-Make sure you are using enough downward pressure, enough to make your backing plate spin slowly, but not stop rotating. Check this video out by Adams Polishes. If you go to the 2:19 mark, they begin to talk about and show the proper rotation speed of the pad:Adam's Polishes Guide to Machine Polishing - Chapter 6: Porter Cable with Foam Pads - YouTube (http://youtu.be/4XVa-RKGjI8)

There are other good videos out there from Mike Phillips that show this type of rotation also.

With the right technique, FG400, and a Cyan Hydrotech, your 3-5 "passes" (in your meaning of the word) will become one beautiful, gratifying pass. Then go to your SF4500 and your LC White (or a Tangerine Hydrotech) for your finishing step if needed. I say "if needed" because on my MB the Cyan finished so good with FG400, it was pretty much LSP ready. However, my vehicle is white. So being that yours is black, a finishing step may be needed.

Good Luck!

[thebamboo23]

MF cutting disc + d300 + m105 = killer

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

+1 on MF disc