Polishing advice using 3m perfect it

Today's problem is.. · 11-05-2005, 04:14 PM

Hi all, I am looking for a little advice here, I have a makita 9227 circular buffer and am trying to remove some very slight scratches in the clearcoat on my 78 vette and of course trying for more gloss. I am using this buffer @ 1000 rpm with 3m perfect it II swirl mark remover and I also tried the 3m "foam pad glaze for dark cars" with the 3m perfect it black waffle pads. I am not really seeing any results other than making a large mess from spatter. Should I up the RPM, use a more course compound/pad, or anything else?

Thanks,
--Chris

rrichar2591 · 11-07-2005, 01:59 AM

The 78 looks great as is! I use the 3m product also with a PC buffer and a white pad which is not a very agressive combo. But then again I'm overly conservative about doing any damage to the paint. I do run the buffer at about 3500 rpm and it seems to give me good results. It gets the fine swirls but not the deeper ones. I found the best advice for the buffer I'm using is to work the buffer until the polish is "almost dry".

Hope that helps.

agentf1 · 11-07-2005, 11:31 AM

DO NOT UP YOUR RPM's more than 1500. I would stick with 1000 rpm's as this is a fairly safe speed where you will not heat up your paint and burn it easily. I would try the next level up polish like 39002 if using 3M and then finish up with the 39009. The SSR 39009 is a very mild polish and is mostly for finishing work. Some others that I like alot are Zaino Fusion (ZPC) and Menzerna (FPII and IP).

agentf1 · 11-07-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrichar2591

The 78 looks great as is! I use the 3m product also with a PC buffer and a white pad which is not a very agressive combo. But then again I'm overly conservative about doing any damage to the paint. I do run the buffer at about 3500 rpm and it seems to give me good results. It gets the fine swirls but not the deeper ones. I found the best advice for the buffer I'm using is to work the buffer until the polish is "almost dry".

Hope that helps.

Are you talking about an orbital at 3.5 speed or a rotary at 3500 rpms. 3500 is awfully fast and totally unecessary IMHO.

I use my orbital at 2.5 to 3.5 for LSP, 4.5 to 5.5 for Scratch and Swirl removing.

My Rotary is usually set @ 1000 and occasionally I will bump up to 1500 if needed but this is on RARE occasions and have never had a problem or defect I needed to go above 1500.

okies93 · 11-07-2005, 10:48 PM

i use the 3m product and i like the white waffle pads with extra cut rubbing compound, if the scratches are somewhat fine i will use rubbing compound and also white pad. once rubbing is done i come back in with swirl remover and i use the grey pads. i keep the machine moving until material starts to dust and keep repeating until desired effect is seen. after the swirl remover i finish up with final coat but you can use favorite brand of wax.

i like 1200-1500 rpm range on my porter.

if paint is rough like some cars i do, i use this machine and run it 1800-2200 rpm's. i don't burn paint but it can happen very easy.

rrichar2591 · 11-08-2005, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentf1

Are you talking about an orbital at 3.5 speed or a rotary at 3500 rpms. 3500 is awfully fast and totally unecessary IMHO.

I use my orbital at 2.5 to 3.5 for LSP, 4.5 to 5.5 for Scratch and Swirl removing.

My Rotary is usually set @ 1000 and occasionally I will bump up to 1500 if needed but this is on RARE occasions and have never had a problem or defect I needed to go above 1500.

You are correct. I use it on 3.5 speed. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

6']['9 · 11-09-2005, 08:30 PM

if all your doing is polishing i dont believe most of the 3m products will do much working them in a 1k rpms. I usually work them in around 1450 -1500 rpms. i only use the 3m compound and trizact polish. dont use anything with a glaze even if it is a machine glaze. i would go to a glaze after you have removed all the spiderwebs and there are no more swirls left.