HD Speed Orange and White Pads, Flex 3401

[lj993]

I was working on a friend's Black, 2012 Toyota Rav4. I had worked on it a few months ago and over all it still looked pretty good. Unfortunately, someone had scratched up the drivers's side of the car. I couldn't quite tell if it was intentional or just an irresponsible parking lot issue. Regardless, the side was pretty scratched up.

I started with the Flex 3401 with an Orange pad and HD Speed. I was able to get most of the scratches out but the paint appeared hazy. I slowed the speed on the 3401 down to about 4, verses 6. That seemed to have a small impact, but not much. I switched over to my Rupes and the UHS pad and product. I have forgotten how much the UHS can sling! Even though I started slow and spread the UHS product, once I turned up the speed, I had product all over the car. After working with the UHS, I still had haziness on the black paint. I went back to the 3401 and the HD Speed but switched to a white pad. I kept the speed at 4. The haziness cleared up and the paint finished out really well. Some paints are just soft and take special care, this one definitely did. This was the first time that I have had to switch to a white pad while using the HD Speed. Don't be afraid to mix things up a bit. Car turned out great. Nothing looks better than a freshly detailed black car, at least for an hour or two. Phil

(sorry, no photos, it was dark, lighting was not good)

Products and Tools used

Flex 3401
Rupes 21
HD Speed
Rupes UHS
Lake Country CCS Orange and White Pads
Rupes UHS pad

[Paul A.]

Good to hear you got the results you were looking for, Phil. Most Toyo's I've done have been soft and needed to be finessed a bit.