RO speed when polishing and waxing?

[David Keogh]

What speed setting do folks use when polishing and waxing?

The Griot's handbook says setting four for polishing, but also mentions operating the RO so that the backing plate is "rotating approximately one revolution per 1 or 2 seconds". But that seems slower than anything I've seen the RO operate at.

[in_d_haus]

Polish at 4 to 5 (this helps the polish "cut")
Wax at 3 to 4 (keep the heat buildup down to a min)

[RKT BMR]

Polish at 4 to 5 (this helps the polish "cut")
Wax at 3 to 4 (keep the heat buildup down to a min)Good advice.

I'm a little more agressive (4-6) on polishing, little less on wax (2-3).

[in_d_haus]

Good advice.

I'm a little more agressive (4-6) on polishing, little less on wax (2-3).

I used 2 to initially spread the product then turn it up. I will use 6 on troublesome scratches.

[David Keogh]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Last night I got started on my practice project -- a friend's Golf GTI with paint so contaminated the clay bar turns near black even after thorough washing.

The clay bar and 3M adhesive remover did an excellent job, leaving a very smooth paint surface, ready for polishing (tonight!). My only worry is that I have a tendency to use the 3M adhesive remover as a crutch... I use it nearly everywhere since it seems to remove stuff even the clay won't get off. I *think* it's harmless to the clear coat.

[in_d_haus]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Last night I got started on my practice project -- a friend's Golf GTI with paint so contaminated the clay bar turns near black even after thorough washing.

The clay bar and 3M adhesive remover did an excellent job, leaving a very smooth paint surface, ready for polishing (tonight!). My only worry is that I have a tendency to use the 3M adhesive remover as a crutch... I use it nearly everywhere since it seems to remove stuff even the clay won't get off. I *think* it's harmless to the clear coat.

Eh, it's a VW, who cares? and not event yours! :D

[David Keogh]

Eh, it's a VW, who cares? and not event yours! :D

Yeah, but what am I going to say when I give the car back to my friend and it's got a DeLorean paint job.

[in_d_haus]

Yeah, but what am I going to say when I give the car back to my friend and it's got a DeLorean paint job.

Say "Gosh, VW sure has crappy QA on their paint...should have bought a Bimmer" :D

[RKT BMR]

Yeah, but what am I going to say when I give the car back to my friend and it's got a DeLorean paint job."Gosh that thing was covered in crud! Look at how shiny and beautiful it is now! BTW, stay on top of that rust problem..."

[David Keogh]

Polishing is done. Whew. Let me tell you, right when I had the polish on the pad, and everything ready to go, I had a solemn moment there, where it was like "okay, here we go." I looked around twice, but there was no sign of Doug. I pressed on regardless.

After finishing, I can say I was probably pretty conservative -- using #3 and in a couple of spots #2, at speed 4. Didn't make a massive difference, but I'm not yet comfortable enough to start getting super aggressive with the thing yet.

Waxing....that's next.

Edit:

First coat of wax is done. I had my wax-removal bonnets ready, but I found I didn't use them once. I found myself using the RO to wax a fairly small section (like 1/2 hood, or a single quarter panel) and then very quickly following up with a wax removal microfiber cloth to buff out the wax before it dries. To use the wax removal bonnet would mean swapping the pad between waxing and buffing, and in the end it was easier not to use the bonnet.

Doug, wax removal was MUCH easier than when we did the M3 last time. I think I'm getting better at buffing immediately; not letting the wax harden at all.