New to using a DA

[mattya802]

Hey guys, just bought my DA and used it for the first time yesterday. I certainly have a lot of learning/practice to do with this thing!

Luckily my hood was going in to get repainted today so I got to experiment with the hood a bit which was very helpful. (tried to take pictures but there was NO sun out and just couldn't capture anything)

So anyways, I've got a few questions after my first attempt.

1) The curves in the car are definitely an issue. I read Mike Stoop's DA 101 thread and of course it's suggested to use the 4" pads on the smaller areas. Will working by hand be a lot worse than using the DA? If I'm trying to just use my 5'5" pads, the pad seems to stop rotating, but it still moving - Is it still doing any paint correction?

2) I'm afraid the product is drying too much before I buff it off as it requires a good amount of elbow grease. I'm using the normal amount of product - Usually a big "X" or a swirl covering the pad. Working about 4 passes, usually 2 from left to right and 2 from front to back with the last one usually being less pressure. If the product seems to be drying, should I cut down to just 2 or 3 passes?

3) Is it okay to use the same towel to buff off all the products I'm using?

4) I cut the hood in 4 quarters. Used M105 on one, SwirlX on one, and M105 followed by M205 on another. All 3 looked "hazed" compared to the finish prior and the addition of M205 didn't help that section much. All 4 looked like they removed some of the scratches/swirls though with SwirlX being a bit less than the other 2. Is the "hazing" normal? Will NXT bring the paint back to shine?

5) What a pain to do the lower panels! Oh wait, that's not a question



Thanks in advance for any help.

[Shawn T.]

Re: New to using a DA

Give this a read through again: D/A Buffing 101 – An Introduction to the G110v2 (and similar)

Depending on the ambient temperature and the paint temperature, the product may dry quickly. Although I have used both M205 and Swirlx on 90 degree days, in the sun, on red and black paint with no problems.


Also give this a read through: Sticky: The Challenge of Delicate Paint

[mattya802]

Re: New to using a DA

It was cool and breezy. Maybe 60 degrees and no sun.

Seems like I need to pick up some ColorX and give that a shot after SwirlX. Although I thought something like M205 would have a similar effect on a finishing pad at speed 4?