How To Wetsand and use a Rotary Buffer

Mike Phillips · 10-09-2012, 03:57 PM

How To Wetsand and use a Rotary Buffer

In my detailing classes I share the correct techniques for hand sanding major flat panels as well as how to machine sand using 3M Orbital Air Sanders plus the PC style DA Polishers including the 3" Griot's Garage Mini Polisher as a dampsander.

We use both 3M Trizact discs and Meguiar's Unigrit Finishing Discs in 3" and 6" sizes. After sanding I show how to use a wool pad on a rotary buffer with Meguiar's M105 to remove the sanding marks followed by Meguiar's M205 to remove any holograms left by the wool pad and the M105.

I also show how to use DA Polishers for the final machine polishing step to ensure a swirls free finish on any type of paint with both Meguiar's M205 and Menzerna SF 4500

Here's some shots showing busy, hands-on training and practicing...

Here's Audrey showing the guys how to machine sand using the 3M Orbital Air Sander

Audrey has never machine sanded before so after this class she's going to be able to talk about the topic intelligently and she's going to know what she's getting into if one of her customers asks to have their car wetsanded.

Here she is doing it all by her self...

Perfectly making overlapping passes with a quick arm speed...

Now she's using the Porter Cable 7424XP to do the same thing but without having to manage an air line under pressure trying to control the sander.

Time to hand sand, first I show what not to do...

Then I show here what to do...

She has the technique down but says she finds machine sanding easier and faster...

Here we go over the 10 @ 10 Technique

Frank's turn...

Since I already buffed with the pad it needs to be cleaned first, so I show Frank how to use a steel pad cleaning spur.

Perfect...

Now it's time to remove some sanding marks...

Jay's turn...

Time to inspect...

Lester's turn with the rotary buffer...

Mike Phillips · 10-09-2012, 03:57 PM

Continued...

Next up is using a foam polishing pad with a rotary buffer to remove holograms left by the wool pad...

Time to inspect the results...

Looks good!

Here's Chris trying out the Flex PE14 with a Meguiar's W66 Solo Flexible Backing Plate and a 7" Softbuff Foam Polishing Pad with Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish.

Here's Eric cleaning a wool pad in a pad washer...

Here's Jay using a Lake Country 6.5" wool cutting pad on a Flex PE14 to remove sanding marks...

After cleaning the pad, Eric is back at work...

Dueling Rotary Buffers!

Lester tries out the Griot's Garage 6" DA Polisher to remove swirls...

Here's Keith using the 3" Griot's Mini Polisher as a Surgical Dampsander....

Here's Erik using the 3" Griot's Mini Polisher as a Surgical Dampsander....

Because of the size this tool is very easy to control and that makes it easy to sand close to edges or in tight areas...

Here's Jeff using the Flex 3401 with a white 5" Hybrid Polishing Pad removing holograms...

Clean you pads often
It's so important to always be cleaning your pad to remove both the paint and the used-up product off the face of your pad or buffing will become more difficult, less effective and wipe-off of residue will become gummier...

Erik testing out the Flex PE14 with a polishing pad to remove holograms...

After these classes are over my panels usually look like black mirrors...

Mike Phillips · 10-09-2012, 04:01 PM

See all the fun from this class in this thread...

Pictures & Comments from September 2012 Detailing Boot Camp

How to buff out street rods...

Mike Phillips · 10-09-2012, 04:04 PM

How to buff use a rotary buffer... on cool cars!

Mike Phillips · 10-09-2012, 04:06 PM

How to use the Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System

Next up... we'll see how the class does using the Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System to remove the swirls and scratches out of a 2008 Cadillac with factory black basecoat/clearcoat paint.

Here's the system our students get to learn how to use in entirety...

Here's our victim... a trashed 2008 Cadillac CTS. Looks good in the shade huh?

Doesn't look as good in full sun...

Here's Audry removing swirls and scratches out of the passenger side fender using the D300 Correction Compound

Here's Erik removing swirls and scratches out of the hood, note how he places his hand inside the D-Handle to position his hand directly onto the head of the polisher.

And much much more...