How do you guys apply sealants by PC/Flex DA? I know when I first put the pad on the panel, it's SUPER thick on, say, half the hood, then it thins out to the "accepted" thickness of applying the sealant.. and becomes a pain in the ass to buff off just that ONE section. Any way do avoid this?
I use a liquid wax like 1Z glazwax and apply a small amount directly onto the pad. I work in small areas and this helps to avoid the too thick problem.
it might also help if the wax is not dry yet on that initial area, like the hood, to go back over it with the pc and try to spread it to the other part of the hood. also, I use a black pad for this, no pressure, and only speed 1 or 2 on the pc.
Well for instance, when I apply Blackfire AFPP, I use it on a LC Gold pad with my flex DA. Put a small amount on the pad it self, couple spritz' of ONR/Water on the pad for lube and begin to spread at speed 2. But the first 30 seconds or so is really thick, and the rest is perfect :shrug: I tried "dabbing" the pad around the panels, then starting at the first panel to try and spread the first bit of AFPP that was on the pad. Didn't really help.
Taking into consideration the whole "KBM" approach, For liquid type products applied by PC or equivalent, I think this approach may help to "prime" the pad so that you don't run into the "too thick" application when using a new pad.... Obviously you don't have to saturate the pad, just spread enough product on the surface of the pad so that it's not absorbing, it's spreading the product when you put it to the panel worked.
This is what I've done: I put the desired amount of sealant on the pad. Then I swipe the pad surface across the panel, leaving one big "streak" of sealant across the top of the panel. I then turn on the machine, and spread it perpendicular to the "streak". Then I treat it like polishing, pick it up as needed with the machine. Pretty much as you move across the panel, you pick up what you need automatically when you move across the streak. This way, you don't have an overloaded pad at first. Works well for me. EDIT: I prefer hand application of all lsp's instead of application by machine. The few times I've applied by machine, i've used the above application technique. I feel like I get better coverage in tight areas when applying by hand.
For those that use the PC to apply, what speed do you run? I start and spread the product at speed 1, and if need be, bump it up to 2-2.5.
I usually use speed 2 on the PCXP so it generates a little bit of heat. Oh and to answer your question Aaron, I just dab several areas around the panel until the pad has "thinned out" and then just go at it with the PCXP.
Apply your LSP by hand :lol: Seriously Aaron, what you describe is the reason I abandoned putting on LSP with a machine (PC or rotary). I know that people swear that it makes the application more even, and that it's faster. But for me, every time I've tried machine application, it has felt like more work. And besides, after doing correction, the last thing I want to do is spend another hour hauling a buffer around a car. :giggle:
Applying by machine also saves a TON of product. I can use about 2 quarter sized drops on an LC gold pad for half a car.. can't get that by hand. And I can finish applying sealant by machine in about 15 minutes--buffing off generally takes just as long, maye a tad longer. Bah, guess I'll just continue to flip-flop between the two methods
Alright, that's a point in its favor. I've often wondered how applying LSP by machine would impact product usage amounts. I was worried that I'd eventually end up with a foam pad full of Jetseal (or whatever). Are you buffing by machine as well? I've never even tried that.
