General Polish

I have some good compounding and finishing combos, but what polish/pad combo do you reach for when you are only doing 1 polishing step? I'm using a makita and need something that will work well during the hot/humid VA summers, has a nice cut and finishes down LSP ready.

 

You mean something that finishes down with no marring or holograms? It all depends on the car. If a customer will only pay for 1 step, then Id probably reach for SIP with a white pad.

 

I agree with D&D. If I'm being paid for a one-step, it's SIP on an orange pad it the paint needs some decent correction, and PO85RD on white if the paint is OK.

 

Yes, looking for something that has a decent cut, finishes with no marring or holograms and a nice gloss.

For heavy correction I have SIP and pfw (going to add some M105 to the arsenal)

For finishing I have FPII and UF along with some black 3M and LC pads.

I just need something to fit in the middle - until I can work on my sales skills sell full correction!

Thanks for the input guys.

 

A green CCs pad and SIP are an excellant combo and then finish with your UF and black pad.

 

If the paint is good, I like the 106FA on white.

A little rougher paint, SIP on Green, or even SIP on white.

I'll save the 085rd for finishing only...

 

Id also look into the SIP with German green foam, its different then the green CCS pads.

 

For me it would REALLY depend on the color and the clearcoat hardness.

I was able to finish down 105 last week to an almost LSP ready finish, but that was with a SS car. I don't know if I would be able to have that same level of success while dealing with other paint types.

At least in those circumstances, the yellow Megs pad along with 105 was an awesome combo. I just used the pyramid technique with my polishing speed and was able to achieve the correction I was looking for without hologramming the surface.

 

Im sure there was still a lot to be had even though you didnt leave holograms?

 

My favorite 1 step polish combo is Flex 3401 + IP + Orange pad. Like Colt 45, works eveytime...ok, kind of kidding there, but had to get that one-liner in...

 

I checked the whole car after a prep-sol wipedown using a few different lighting sources as well as sunlight. There weren't any holograms.

It led me to believe that at least on really light colors like silver, pewter, or possibly white, that it would be possible to use this as a one step polish. In order to do this though, I would imagine it would require a few very clean pads and a really solid technique in order to avoid hologramming the surface.

Still...it doesn't take too long to go over the whole car with something like Ultrafina well enough to remove the holograms that are possibly left by the 105.

I was talking to another detailer today and he suggested that if you are only doing a one step polish, you could simply use a Flex and either SIP or 105. The Flex' motion doesn't allow it to leave holograms, even with a harsh polish like SIP or 105, and it would only be a slight decrease in corrective ability to change from the rotary to the Flex.

 

I would really like to know how you use the rotary and achieve no holograms. I know how and do it all the time, just want to hear you process. As far is getting M105 lsp ready without holograms I find far fetched, and also M105 does need to be gone over with a finishing polish to bring the paint to its best finish. I see alot of your info and some of it is good but alot I would have to question.

 

Are you saying you could do 105 as a one step on light colors because it doesnt leave holograms on light colors?

If a customer will only pay you for a 1 step, then I understand, but I dont think Id use 105, SIP would be a better choice because theres less chance of holograms, buffer marks, and it finishes better.

 

I think that if a car isn't going to be perfect anyways M105 *could* be used as a one step.

A few weeks ago I detailed a pilot that was literally scoured.


The truck was an 04 so doing a bunch of passes over those scratches wasnt a good idea, not to mention it was a honda.

M105 has a place in my line up of polishes, but for car that you want to be 100% perfect, then you should pass over it with lighter polishes.

 

I have found that 106FF will take care of just about anything with the green or orange CCS pads. I think its highly under rated as far as cutting ability. For tougher jobs, SIP with green or orange then finish with PO85RD.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. For some reason I thought SIP was more aggressive, I'll have to try it out on some white pads.

 

106FF has very little cut and is a finishing polish, not to be used for correction. Go over the paint with 106ff and an orange pad, then wipe it down with prep sol. I think you'll change your mind then.

 

I realize that 106FF is sold as a finishing polish and according to Menzerna only has a cut of 1.5 but by playing around with different pads and speeds ( I use a Makita) I think you would be surprised at what you can accomplish with this gem. I by no means meant that you can do full correction with 106FF, but if you are faced with a job that may be the result of poor washing techniques, 106FF will do the job quite easily and leave you with a nicer finish than SIP. My apologies if I misled anyone.:sorry:

 

Also you need to add if you are going to use it in a clean up type situation it should be used with a finishing pad, blue or black.