Rotary Polishing advice....

[thru_a_lupe]

Hi... so new bus means new tasks to be done!!!
1970 in Montana Red from a dry state means it comes with very dull and powdery red paint which when polished with t cut comes up a treat...

But that's gonna take a VERY long time!!! So I'm thinking of doing the large panels with a rotary mop... but I've never done it before... so I am looking for any advice that anyone can give!!!

Not looking for concours finish... just colour restore and some shine!

Cheers!

 

[vinvan]

For best results you need to use a DA "dual action" polisher with a sponge mop head
run at its slowest speed, first soak the sponge in water and use a good cutting compound "Farecla is a good make" these come in different grades you can get it from car paint shops ask them what the best grade for your job "prob G7",
Just do one panel at a time, spread the compound on the panel not the mop, use plenty of water from a spray bottle don't let the mop go dry or you will burn through the paint, take your time don't press too hard let the machine do the work, be careful near any trims if you catch them at the wrong angle the machine will rip them off
lots of stuff on youtube take a look before you start

Hope this helps
Vinvan

 

[georgeyv]

I was in a very similar position to you when I first got my bus from New Mexico - if you have a look early in my build thread you'll see it rough and then polished.

I'd never done it before and borrowed a rotary polisher from a friend, bought a sponge bad and some Farecla G3 (I think!) and got to work.

Soaked the sponge then span the excess water off, an X of compound on the pad did about half a cab doors worth of polishing. I used a spray on Speed Detailer to keep the pad damp so it didn't get too hot. Started dead slow to work the compound into the panel and then ramp up the speed to break down and polish to a shine. If you don't mind a couple of spots rubbing through (I imagine it's already got some if it's OG paint!) then just have a crack - it'll come up great.

You'll get a feel for it pretty quick!

 

[Webbaldo]

DA will be fine on panels but id do the ridges and the rear scoops etc by hand as any corners will burn through the paint easy.

 

[Lee C]

Quickly did my 72 when I first got it, but eventually clearcoat'd over the whole thing!!!



Never used a dual action polisher before mind!!! :?