Metabo? Clear Coat? Polish Break Down? Help?

Okay so for those who are willing to bare with me on my NOVICE-ness on the rotary, all comments are greatly appreciated...

So, i got my metabo n told my brother id do his 2002 BMW 325i Wagon for fun, to get the learning curve down...Its SILVER so i know that i was against a few odds already.

Polishes:
SIP, 106ff, po85rd

Pads:
Orange 5.5 - non ccs
White 5.5 - non ccs
blue 6.5 - ccs

...Im used to using these polishes on PC so i kinda know what to expect when the polsihes are broken down, and if i need to do another pass or how long to work it in...

however i seem to be having trouble judging on what SPEED to start the metabo @. How FAST i should move the polsher. What to look for, and also How do i know if im doing the rite thing?

Here is how i approached the HOOD for example:
-Orange pad + SIP
-Spread on 1/4 of hood @ speed 1 (700rpm)
-bump up to SPEED 2.5 (i was still feelin out the polisher)
-Lateral passes with 20% coverage on the previous pass @ about as fast as NICA did in his detail on the White 325 with the SCHOLL PRDOUCTS (heh i jus watched that video for tips)
-THEN, kicked back down to speed 1 with slightly slower passes

The results im getting are skewed...i know it looks better, cuz its swirl free..but i dunno if im doin something wrong cuz it seems that the ORANGE PEEL is enhanced

..is it just the CLEAR COAT ITSELF..or is it me going TOO FAST, not BREAKING DOWN THE POLISH long enough...SHOULD I GO TO SPEED 3? 3.5?

I know im full of questions!

so it went like this (speed 1) (speed 2.5) (speed 1) white down...lemme know if i should go faster? or work it in longer..

THANKS IN ADVANCED GUYS...!!

 

Orange peel will always be enhanced when you polish a car. You are removing the top layer of defects and uncovering the "true layer" of the clearcoat. 1500 which I think is speed 3 on the metabo (I have 3 rotaries now so I can't remember) should be fine as your max operating speed.

Don't forget to register your metabo with the company here for the 3 yr warranty

 

Sounds like your process was fine Neil, the only thing that I would caution you on is in the aggresiveness of pads you use, it's been a wile since I used the Lake Country pads but to be honest in general I haven't had to use a cutting pad for a long time now, all I've been using is polishing pads and Menzerna 3.02 and it finishes off really good...any who just me ranting....as for the video I did on the polishing I know which one you mean and glad it helped you out.

As for enhancing the orange peal, I agree with gmblack3. Your enhancing the apperance of the vehicle and well removing all imperfections on the surface of the vehicle and becuase of that you sure enhance the orange peal...unfortunetly :shrug:

I don't think you neeed to go to a higher speed, I've been using my Metabo in the range of 1500 to 2000RPM and I haven't had the need to go higher...well that's just me though.

I hope this helps, a little eace:

 

what kind of pads do you use nica?

 

Well I got a bunch of pads that I use, but my go to pads are 3M Blue and Black Polishing pads (UK version), Menzerna pads (they are a bit stiff at first but they are great to work with) and lastly Meg's Polishing pad (this pad works great with Menzerna) oh I've also been using the Sonus Polishing pad.

Lately I've been using the 3M Blue Polishing pad (UK version) and it works incredably well, I really like how it's soft and the size, it works well with the 3M backing plate.

 

Im so used to using ORANGE + SIP on pc...so are you saying htat i would yield the same results by using a WHITE + SIP and then WHITE + 10 and then BLUE + po85rd with the rotary...

also i was wondering when i used po85rd on the blue fineseing pad..what speed do i use it at? still 2.5 - 3?

thanks guys for all your help!

 

Whip Appeal Neil - try this it may help you become accustomed to the polisher better;

Using a Sliding Scale 600-900-1200 rpm- commence by setting the speed to 600 rpm, then adjust to 900rpm culminating at 1200rpm then descend to 900rpm and finish at 600rpm; linear speed should be 2 – 3 feet per second (FPS) 1200 rpm is where most of the paint surface defects will be removed. There probably will be some polishing defects (holograms, etc) by descending the sliding scale (1200-900-600rpm) you will remove these and any other minor defects
(See also Compounding / Polishing)

See also-Rotary Usage Tips- http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/f12/rotary-usage-tips-1212.html

 

thanks! i read that in your rotary usage thread the other day...thats where i got my speed 1 to speed 3 to speed 1 ordeal

practice makes perfect..trhanks!