Re: How To Do a Test Spot
***Bump***
Bump for anyone new to machine polishing...
I've been buffing out cars all my life and I ALWAYS do a Test Spot before buffing out any car I have never buffed out previously.
Here's an example from just this last weekend...
See the tape on the front, center of the hood? That's from doing a Test Spot...
New Menzerna FG 400 - One-Step Show Car Makeover
Test Spot = Menzerna FG 400 with the Lake Country 6.5" Hybrid White Polishing Pads on the Flex 3401
I did a Test Spot using a tape-line on the front of the hood and then inspected using my Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light and the results were a clear, high gloss finish that was silky smooth to the touch and all swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation was removed. After confirming the combination of the Menzerna FG 400 with the Lake Country 6.5" Hybrid White Polishing Pads on the Flex 3401 on speed 6 was giving me the results I wanted I proceeded to buff out the entire car using this combination.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...illips_003.jpg
Finished...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...illips_041.jpg
:xyxthumbs:
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek
Just finished this very thing yesterday...knocking out the top.:props:
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Hoytman
Just finished this very thing yesterday...knocking out the top.:props:
Cool Bill...
It's not a technique that a lot of people know about or think about but it works for me...
:xyxthumbs:
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Just wrote a new article to answer a common question and sometimes problem when doing a Test Spot...
The LINE ---> How to avoid the line!
Something I've been meaning to write about but it's always just another item on my to-do list is how to AVOID the LINE when doing a Test Spot using a strip of painter's tape.
That is the line that separates the before and after results the YOU use to inspect and gauge your progress and results.
This line...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...exVideo005.jpg
After using a strip of painter's tape for your test spot like this...
How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...TapeLine02.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/D...pot-redone.jpg
Answer coming up...
:)
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Here's the follow up...
Question: How to avoid the line!
Answer: Anytime you're doing a test spot, if it's just you're own car or even a customer's car, then buff to the side of the line, not directly on top of the line.
Why?
Because sometimes you can remove enough paint to actually leave a line in the paint that can be hard to buff out.
When I do these types of things for articles I'm trying to create a DRAMATIC "Before & After" picture showing the before and after results with a strong demarcation line.
Unless you "want" or "need" the picture then just buff close to the tape line, not directly on top of the tape line and you'll avoid creating a physical level difference in the paint that shows up as an actual "line" in the paint. (that can sometimes be hard to buff out).
Make sense?
:)
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
So if you do a test spot and conclude it needs more work, do you make a second test spot or continue working the first spot?
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ebf2k
So if you do a test spot and conclude it needs more work, do you make a second test spot or continue working the first spot?
Great question! :xyxthumbs:
The answer is you do a test spot in a new section of un-touched or un-buffed paint.
Doing a second test spot in the same area will give you skewed results since you've already altered the paint in that spot with the products you tested.
:)
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Beginner question here:
I will be using a DA for the first time to remove moderate light to moderate swirls. I bought a 7424XP, orange and white LC flat pads, and Meguiars UC and UP. I know that we should always use the least aggressive method.
For my test spot I am thinking of starting with UP on a white pad. It this does not remove the swirls, then do a second (separate, as mentioned above) test spot with UC and an orange pad, followed by the UP/white pad combo.
Is this the right way to approach the situation?
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
derass
Beginner question here:
I will be using a DA for the first time to remove moderate light to moderate swirls. I bought a 7424XP, orange and white LC flat pads, and Meguiars UC and UP. I know that we should always use the least aggressive method.
For my test spot I am thinking of starting with UP on a white pad. It this does not remove the swirls, then do a second (separate, as mentioned above) test spot with UC and an orange pad, followed by the UP/white pad combo.
Is this the right way to approach the situation?
Yes but depending on your paint and what results you want to achieve, ultimate polish wont do much as far removing the swirls (depending on how bad it is) its very light in cut just make sure you do an alcohol wipedown or carpro eraser to inspect the true results.
Re: How To Do a Test Spot
Thank you so much mike!!! ;)