The power in slowing down!
by Eric SchusterSo while working on a Ferrari 430 the past couple of days, one thing utterly shocked me…after all, we continually learn something new everyday, every job!
With my D/A, I set it on the usual speed 6 and started working out a game plan with a test section. You use a test section to figure out what steps are needed to achieve the desired results. Sometimes you think it’s a long day and a three step needed, but in the test section, you figure out a two step process that will give you similar results! You just saved yourself time and product!
Anyway, what I learned was slowing down and making slower paced movements (both in DA speed, and arm speed) really made a much needed difference. The damage to this car’s paint was pretty bad, and I started out with the MF system and D300, but that wasn’t providing enough cut for the the damage on this paint. So, I jumped up to megs 105 and surbuf pad and that was leveling the paint, but leaving it far too marred up to clean up with just two more steps if I wanted max gloss. I would have had to go with a heavy polish 2nd step, then a medium polish 3rd step, then a light polish 4th step…not what I had the time, or the desire to do! I tried switching to an orange pad and 105 and it was still leaving the finish too marred to finish out how I wanted it to as the 105 was simply too aggressive for this paint on either pad choice. The ticket ended up being D300 on an orange pad, WITH SPEED 5 AND SLOWER PASSES. The slower passes allowed more concentrated work from the polish/pad combo. This finish left me with moderate marring left over and that was easily cleared up with powerfinish on a hydrotec pad. Following that all up with menzerna SF4500 on a black pad gave me a super clear finish and I was done!
Start:
Finish:
Any questions (hahaha)?
Nice Eric, and thanks for sharing. Other than chasing some heavy defects with the Surbuf pad on occasion, I don’t use speed 6. Typically speaking I spend all my time between 3.5 and 4.5 with slow arm movement, and then change up the pressure as needed to get the best results.
I didn’t realize it was possible to be too aggressive with a DA (I’m still a rookie). Thanks for the info.
Hey Eric,
Thank you for the great article. Could you go into detail on why you decided to use the D300 with the orange pad? Was it because the orange pad had less cut than the MF cutting pad? Or?
Thanks.
-Kevin
to be honest, I havent had enough practice time to really figure out the MF pads. They are not quite the same as the flat pads to me, and take a little bit of finessing/experience to get the hang of. I was getting some decent correction, but I got more with the orange pad (probably user error). I have only tried then out on two panels because I have been too busy with things. The last thing I want to do is “try-it-out” on a F430!
the DA can be too aggressive on softer /black paints with stronger combos. Surbuf and 105 is pretty aggressive, especially on soft paints!
I agree. MF pads, you have to treat a little differently. I had to learn that the hard way. Seems like the D300 worked well. Maybe I’ll try that combo if I ever run into trouble. Thanks.
-Kevin
There are times where “going slower” actually helps one get the job done faaster!
Great article, I should read some of these more often.