question for Phil or Mike

[2K1Ultrasport]

I have some light swirling that i want to try and get rid of.
i dont use a pc, only a store bought random orbital.
i have the 1z yellow, green and blue.
last time i detailed i only used the green and blue.
would the yellow be able to reduce the swirls or is it liable to add more swirls?
thanks.

[Mike @ einszett]

Hi,

Stick with Paint Polish (green can) for now. That should be more than enough. Leave the orbital you have for applying wax because it doesn't generate enough heat (a factor in rectifying paint) to help reduce the swirls in the paint.

Keep this in mind... not only are you able to control the polishing action by the type of polish you use but also by the applicator.

For example:

A foam applicator pad will hardly add any abrasion to the polishes own polishing ability. So, if you are looking to do some mild cleaning and removal of really light oxidation, polish with a foam applicator pad. I usually recommened using a foam pad in conjunction with Metallic PolishWax since it's a mild, finishing polish.

Microfiber Towel: the MF towel will add a little more bite than a foam applicator pad but not much.

100% cotton towel: A cotton towel (make sure it's a high quality, plush towel - not the bulk bagged towels which are too thin and abrasive) will add more bite and in conjunction with Paint Polish, will make reducing swirls much more effective.

Now let's say Paint Polish combined with a cotton towel isn't enough, here's what you do:

Apply Extra with a foam applictor pad. If that doesn't work, work your way up to the MF towel and if necessary, a cotton towel.

ALWAYS start from least aggressive and work your way up. Test on a small portion of the panel and figure out what works. When you've figured it out, repeat the process on the rest of the car.

If you do use Extra, you will need to follow up with Paint Polish to restore the depth that Extra may take away.

-> With all that in mind, I think the cotton towel and Paint Polish combo will work best for you.

Hope this helps!

[2K1Ultrasport]

Mike,
are you saying that application by hand will be more affective than using the random orbital?

[Mike @ einszett]

It depends on the random orbital you're using. If you're using the ones found in Sears, auto stores, Target, Wal Mart, etc, they don't have enough speed to really create sufficient friction which is needed to get rid of paint defects like swirl marks and light scratches. Also, they're movement is not rotational which is the type of movement best for creating friction. Instead, they just 'jiggle' (why they call them random oribtals because the pad moves in a random pattern to mimic hand movement. They are fine for light work like applying our Metallic PolishWax on a defect-free paint surface or when applying wax.

A machine like a Porter Cable has more speed and will be better at correcting paint. Rotary buffers are the ultimate since they use very fast rotational speed which is the ideal method for removing serious defects or correcting paint.

A good step up would be the use of a Porter Cable. You'll be able to do a lot more paint correction. A Flex is also a great tool to use. Rotaries are the best but for professional use only.

Still, you will get great results by hand. The downside is that it takes longer.

[DetailersDomain]

A porter cable or flex xc3401 would be a great tool with Einszett.

[Grouse]

From my perspective, the PC is nearly worthless in comparison to the flex. The flex teaches you better habits, has better usability, corrects better, corrects more evenly, corrects faster, has far less adverse vibration, and about 1/2 as loud

[2K1Ultrasport]

*looks pitifully at the walmart buffer in the corner*
definitely had no idea how inadequate a store bought buffer was, sad.
is the flex really worth it at almost twice the cost of the pc?

[dmoney1282]

Although the PC would be more effective than by hand, if you don't know what the you're doing isn't there also a much greater chance you can damage your paint by applying to much heat/friction? Making the paint even worse would be my biggest fear.

[Mike @ einszett]

Although the PC would be more effective than by hand, if you don't know what the you're doing isn't there also a much greater chance you can damage your paint by applying to much heat/friction? Making the paint even worse would be my biggest fear.

With the PC, there is a very minute chance of damaging the paint. At a speed of 6 on the PC, you can rest your hand on the pad and it won't hurt your hand. If you apply a certain amount of pressure on a PC, it automatically reduces movement. The only way you can hurt the paint while using a PC is by over angling it and having the backing plate of the pad hit the paint. If you manage to do that, your mind's on something else while looking away from the paint. A rotary on the other hand will burn your skin off. It creates that much more heat.

So if the PC is like that, how is that better than by hand? It's more efficient. It's a great finishing tool. For more severe paint correction, you'll have to step up to a Flex or rotary which utilizes direct, circular motion.

As far as cost, you can get a Pc for about $105 shipped. I've had mine for 10 years now and it's still going strong.

I imagine Flex, which is from Germany, will have a very good longevity too. Over the long term, both a good investment as far as results achieved, value, and time saved. Flex is a great combination of the ease and use of a PC but the effectiveness of a rotary taken down a few notches for good measure.