Buffer Trails with Flex 3401

[Lustrous Detail]

I worked on a black toyota xrunner featuring 3D HD Speed. I used 5 inch hybrid white. So i did 4 passes on the drivers door on speed setting 4.5 with about 5-10 lbs of pressure. I pulled out into the sun and seen maybe bout 5 buffer trails. Luckily I was able to get them out with my PC w/ LC CCS white pad.

But anyways, what would cause those trails? Technique? machine? pad? pressure?

This was my 2nd AIO detail since I've started in May.

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

I worked on a black toyota xrunner featuring 3D HD Speed. I used 5 inch hybrid white. So i did 4 passes on the drivers door on speed setting 4.5 with about 5-10 lbs of pressure. I pulled out into the sun and seen maybe bout 5 buffer trails. Luckily I was able to get them out with my PC w/ LC CCS white pad.

But anyways, what would cause those trails? Technique? machine? pad? pressure?

This was my 2nd AIO detail since I've started in May.

Unusual, I don't think its the machine polish or pad. I think the paint was soft and just sensitive.

That's a pretty not that aggressive setup.

Some paints act really strange you get that 1 car our of 10 that just acts strange then what your used too.

It was the paint. Not you or your lineup.


Don't let that setup dis courage you, if you only used it twice. You will get amazing results with HD speed and the flex

[Detail-Impressions]

Seems you went to a softer/more open cell cut pad vs The white hybrid pad features very dense foam.

Did you lighten the pressure on the last pass?

[Lustrous Detail]

Unusual, I don't think its the machine polish or pad. I think the paint was soft and just sensitive.

That's a pretty not that aggressive setup.

Some paints act really strange you get that 1 car our of 10 that just acts strange then what your used too.

It was the paint. Not you or your lineup.

Thanks for the reassurance! I was getting worried if my technique was wrong. phew.

[Lustrous Detail]

Seems you went to a softer/more open cell cut pad vs The white hybrid pad features very dense foam.

Did you lighten the pressure on the last pass?

I did use the white hybrid. No i didn't lighten up on the pressure. All the other panels were okay though. Weird. Would it make sense to add another pass with light pressure on top of the 4 working passes?

[Hoytman]

Were you using the HD Speed dry or wet? Pressure along with dry buffing could cause that.

[WAXOFF]

I like to use this on black as a final step before the LSP. It really brings out the shine and has a long working time and no dust. I don't know why it says for rotary only beccause I have no problems using my Flex with it.


3M Perfect-It 3000 Ultrafine Machine Polish, 3M Ultrafina, 3M perfect it ultra fine polish, 3M Machine Polish

[jrs1418]

The last black ToyoTaco we did a one step on, The paint seems hard to remove defects on versus a typical black, and was pretty hard to finish down to a crisp clear black with no haze.

After like 1/5 test sections, we decided to use Hyper Compound for its SMAT/DAT combo. The DAT really allowed us to finish down nicely so we didnt need to 2-step it. Everything SMAT either was too harsh and left haze, or too fine and didnt remove the light defects.

[Mike Phillips]

I worked on a black toyota xrunner featuring 3D HD Speed.

I used 5 inch hybrid white.

So i did 4 passes on the drivers door on speed setting 4.5 with about 5-10 lbs of pressure. I pulled out into the sun and seen maybe bout 5 buffer trails. Luckily I was able to get them out with my PC w/ LC CCS white pad.

Recently I was asked by Hoytman about a comment I made about how when you shrink the size of your pad down the risk for visible holograms increases. That was a question about using the rotary buffer.

I think the same thing holds true for using smaller pads on gear-driven orbital polishers too but the most important factors are,

Paint
Product
Pad
Then size of pad

But anyways, what would cause those trails? Technique? machine? pad? pressure?

I teach techniques for using one-step cleaner/waxes in my 3-Day Hands-on Detailing Classes.

I teach a free class on this topic at Mobile Tech Expo.

I cover this in my Flex 3401 how-to book.

How to use the Flex XC3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher


And also in this article.

How to choose and use a one-step cleaner/wax by Mike Phillips


I specifically discuss the issues with doing this type of work on black vehicles in all 4 venues.

[Lustrous Detail]

Recently I was asked by Hoytman about a comment I made about how when you shrink the size of your pad down the risk for visible holograms increases. That was a question about using the rotary buffer.

I think the same thing holds true for using smaller pads on gear-driven orbital polishers too but the most important factors are,

Paint
Product
Pad
Then size of pad




I teach techniques for using one-step cleaner/waxes in my 3-Day Hands-on Detailing Classes.

I teach a free class on this topic at Mobile Tech Expo.

I cover this in my Flex 3401 how-to book.

How to use the Flex XC3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher


And also in this article.

How to choose and use a one-step cleaner/wax by Mike Phillips


I specifically discuss the issues with doing this type of work on black vehicles in all 4 venues.

Thank you Mike! I'm planning on coming to your detail boot camp next year. Saving up currently. Hawaii to Florida is not cheap. Btw, can I have your email? I want a copy of your VIF. Thanks in advance.