I Cry Foul on Product Working Time

**BlackCoupe** · 04-12-2007, 10:30 PM

I'm sorry, but I call "FOUL" on these videos and instructions that tell me to work the PCDA for "Three to five minutes with a quarter-size amount of product over a 2X2 area". I would be extremely interested to know in the H*** get that working time. Really -- who? Time it. I get one pass, maybe two if I spritz--and it is about a minute, absolute tops. Indoors.

**Sevenrd** · 04-12-2007, 10:40 PM

What polish are you using? I know first-hand Optimum polishes can easily be worked for that long.

**bambo2888** · 04-12-2007, 10:41 PM

what products are you using? in all reality, you should be looking more at like 5-7 minutes for the same 2x2ft. area...

makes sure the car is cool to the touch, out of sunlight, and you spread the product at speed 3. then move up to a speed 5 with a slower movement for a pass. then finish up with speed 6 and slighty faster movement.

i use xmt in direct sunlight with no problems for 7 minutes, SOMETIMES needing a spray of lubricant (quick detailer).

**BetaB** · 04-12-2007, 10:50 PM

jesus, do you guys spend like 3 hours buffing your car then, damn. I can not imagine spending 7 minutes in one section. What if you are doing 2-3 steps, that's a whole day, damn, y'all need a rotary.

**Nuke33** · 04-12-2007, 11:08 PM

Optimum can be worked that long....

**Whitethunder46** · 04-12-2007, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by BetaB

jesus, do you guys spend like 3 hours buffing your car then, damn. I can not imagine spending 7 minutes in one section. What if you are doing 2-3 steps, that's a whole day, damn, y'all need a rotary.

Many guys do spend close to 6-8 hours polishing w/ multiple steps.

If you are using good products, and are faimilar with pad/polish combo's you rarely need 2 steps with a PC.

I very much enjoy XMT polishes in the sun. They break down quickly but correct quickly. I can do an entire hood in about 5-8 minutes. Not bad considering that's usually the largest panel. Also, it's LSP ready after one combo.

**ScottB** · 04-14-2007, 08:44 AM

your environment will place alot of control over product work time. Humditity, dampness, dryness all play a part.

**BlackCoupe** · 04-14-2007, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

your environment will place alot of control over product work time. Humditity, dampness, dryness all play a part.

Palm Beach Gardens, bro. About same as you. I also suspect that engine heat, heat from the sun, gets the car heated up, and even though I am working in the garage, the retained heat it bakes the product.

**BlackCoupe** · 04-15-2007, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Whitethunder46

Many guys do spend close to 6-8 hours polishing w/ multiple steps.

If you are using good products, and are faimilar with pad/polish combo's you rarely need 2 steps with a PC.

I very much enjoy XMT polishes in the sun. They break down quickly but correct quickly. I can do an entire hood in about 5-8 minutes. Not bad considering that's usually the largest panel. Also, it's LSP ready after one combo.

Ok. Good example. You said:

"I can do an entire hood in about 5-8 minutes."

I am gonna say that in an "entire hood", unless you are working on a Mini Cooper, we are talking about at least 5 2X2 areas. And you do a hood in 5-8 minutes, that is about 1 2X2 area in 1min to 1min 36 seconds. Are you using a rotary or a DA (cuz my post was about DA)? I am assumng you let the product break down (because of the diminshing abrasives, right)?