Porter Cable buffer effects on clear coat surfaces
06-25-2007, 12:23 PM
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Porter Cable buffer effects on clear coat surfaces Over 50 pictures in one location: http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/S-10%20Test/
Recently we conducted an exercise to determine the actual effect of using the Porter Cable 7424 dual-action random orbital buffer on our test 1999 Chevy S-10 pick-up truck with about 80 thousand miles. This particular model buffer has been the bench mark for years in correcting mild/moderate surface blemishes while some prospective customers may express concerns about damage to the paint/clear coat surface. The Porter Cable with its dual action motion (2500-6000 orbits/minute) revolves in a random elliptical orbit on the surface. This movement does not create the damaging friction and heat as generated by the more aggressive high speed circular polisher (measured in revolutions/minute).
For our testing purposes, we shall use the FendorSplendor FS488 Paint Meter(c) to measure the surface coating thickness on our designated area.
Initial measurements and Set up:
As we prepared for our test, we checked our panel and its measurement showed 7.0 mils thickness. One mil= 1/1000 inch. This just shows how thin the paint surface coatings are on vehicles. Some factory vehicles may have coverage in the 3.5 mil range while others may exhibit as much as 7-9 mils or more. For our testing area, we started by washing the panel using the new Lake Country "Ulti-Mitt" (see detail close-up in photo 169) to remove any dirt residue followed by clean water rinse.
Clay Bar:
As with any new detail project, the use of the clay bar is suggested to remove surface contaminants and provide a durable base for last-step protection products. Using the plastic baggy test, one can determine the severity of the contaminants much more acutely with this method vs. the bare hand. Using a solution of mild car wash concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle of distilled water, we used the cool gray "mild" composition clay bar manufactured by the AutoWax Company for this exercise. Quick detail sprays can also be used as the lubricating solution for use with the clay bar. Once completed, a light rinse and wipe down was completed. Light contamination was found as exhibited by photo 163. Normally a greater concentration may be removed from adjacent horizontal surfaces.
Surface examination/treatment:
After clay bar completion, we see an example of concentric spider scratches as shown in photos #172 and 173. These types of blemishes can be inflicted over time with the repetitive washing/drying cycle using improper and damaging cleaning materials or even wiping down a dry surface to name a few examples. These stubborn blemishes may require a more moderate form of treatment to remove. As a guide, use the least aggressive form of treatment as needed before progressing.
Swirl marks in comparison are characterized as very minute scratches and caused by a high speed rotary polisher using a cutting pad. These scratches will refract light in such a way to create a swirling or hologram effect viewed at different angles. Their removal can be accomplished easier as compared to the deeper inflicted spider scratches.
Swirl Marks:
In this instance, we used the Porter Cable 7424 equipped with a lightly moistened yellow 6.5" "medium cutting" pad and a rubbing compound with an aggressiveness rating of 65/100 to begin leveling the clear coat to remove the scratches. Working in the product at dial speed 5 (5000-5300 OPM) and moving at the rate of 1"/second across the surface, we observed removal of the lighter scratches revealing the remaining deeper ones. Only light pressure was exerted on the machine utilizing its own power for removal. As the product breaks down to almost clear, we reduced machine speed while noticing slight micro-marring and light compound swirling from this combination. Experienced users may use the high speed polisher for quicker more efficient removal of these blemishes.
Once we have leveled the surface to remove the spider scratches while inflicting light/moderate swirl marks from the compound/yellow pad combo, we can switch pads to the moistened orange "light cutting/polishing" pad and swirl removal micro-abrasive. Setting the dial as at speed 5-6 and working once again at the rate of 1"/second, removal of the swirl marks is evident as the surface regains increasing clarity and depth. After review of the surface in photos 192-195, one can either opt for use of the white polishing" pad for additional surface finessing prior to last-step product application.
Last-step product application:
Once satisfied with the restoration of the surface, it is now time to apply a protective coating against the elements. To insure a direct and durable bond to the surface, a light wipe down with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water can be completed for removal of all residues from previous products used.
For our test area, we shall use the blue Lake Country "CCS" final finishing foam pad for our product application. In photo 199, the dimples in the pad slow down the amount of product absorbed into the pad without the fear of product sling. At this time, we applied the product using speed dial 4(~4000-4500OPM). This pad exhibits no cutting ability and our goal was to lay down a thin consistent product application to the surface. Once the product wipes off clean without smearing (about 15-20 minutes), the residue may be removed with a microfiber polishing bonnet on the buffer or a clean microfiber polishing towel by hand.
After reviewing results in photos 202-208, we can now compare improvement to untreated surrounding area.
As an extra measure of protection, the surface may also be topped with a choice of liquid or paste style carnauba based wax products. We elected to use a paste version in this instance to see if any additional depth or color darkening can be gained with its use. Typically this is applied on a cool, shaded surface and wiped off shortly after it is applied. (photos 213-215) Allowing the product to dry may lead to increased difficulty in removal.
After completion of this exercise, we removed our painter's tape to reveal the comparison views with photos 221-228. After using the Porter Cable for this entire treatment exercise, we did one final measurement with the FS 488 paint meter. In photos 233-235, we have registered 7.0 mils once again resulting in no observable loss of paint surface thickness.
Questions and comments welcome.
Recently we conducted an exercise to determine the actual effect of using the Porter Cable 7424 dual-action random orbital buffer on our test 1999 Chevy S-10 pick-up truck with about 80 thousand miles. This particular model buffer has been the bench mark for years in correcting mild/moderate surface blemishes while some prospective customers may express concerns about damage to the paint/clear coat surface. The Porter Cable with its dual action motion (2500-6000 orbits/minute) revolves in a random elliptical orbit on the surface. This movement does not create the damaging friction and heat as generated by the more aggressive high speed circular polisher (measured in revolutions/minute).
For our testing purposes, we shall use the FendorSplendor FS488 Paint Meter(c) to measure the surface coating thickness on our designated area.
Initial measurements and Set up:
As we prepared for our test, we checked our panel and its measurement showed 7.0 mils thickness. One mil= 1/1000 inch. This just shows how thin the paint surface coatings are on vehicles. Some factory vehicles may have coverage in the 3.5 mil range while others may exhibit as much as 7-9 mils or more. For our testing area, we started by washing the panel using the new Lake Country "Ulti-Mitt" (see detail close-up in photo 169) to remove any dirt residue followed by clean water rinse.
Clay Bar:
As with any new detail project, the use of the clay bar is suggested to remove surface contaminants and provide a durable base for last-step protection products. Using the plastic baggy test, one can determine the severity of the contaminants much more acutely with this method vs. the bare hand. Using a solution of mild car wash concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle of distilled water, we used the cool gray "mild" composition clay bar manufactured by the AutoWax Company for this exercise. Quick detail sprays can also be used as the lubricating solution for use with the clay bar. Once completed, a light rinse and wipe down was completed. Light contamination was found as exhibited by photo 163. Normally a greater concentration may be removed from adjacent horizontal surfaces.
Surface examination/treatment:
After clay bar completion, we see an example of concentric spider scratches as shown in photos #172 and 173. These types of blemishes can be inflicted over time with the repetitive washing/drying cycle using improper and damaging cleaning materials or even wiping down a dry surface to name a few examples. These stubborn blemishes may require a more moderate form of treatment to remove. As a guide, use the least aggressive form of treatment as needed before progressing.
Swirl marks in comparison are characterized as very minute scratches and caused by a high speed rotary polisher using a cutting pad. These scratches will refract light in such a way to create a swirling or hologram effect viewed at different angles. Their removal can be accomplished easier as compared to the deeper inflicted spider scratches.
Swirl Marks:
In this instance, we used the Porter Cable 7424 equipped with a lightly moistened yellow 6.5" "medium cutting" pad and a rubbing compound with an aggressiveness rating of 65/100 to begin leveling the clear coat to remove the scratches. Working in the product at dial speed 5 (5000-5300 OPM) and moving at the rate of 1"/second across the surface, we observed removal of the lighter scratches revealing the remaining deeper ones. Only light pressure was exerted on the machine utilizing its own power for removal. As the product breaks down to almost clear, we reduced machine speed while noticing slight micro-marring and light compound swirling from this combination. Experienced users may use the high speed polisher for quicker more efficient removal of these blemishes.
Once we have leveled the surface to remove the spider scratches while inflicting light/moderate swirl marks from the compound/yellow pad combo, we can switch pads to the moistened orange "light cutting/polishing" pad and swirl removal micro-abrasive. Setting the dial as at speed 5-6 and working once again at the rate of 1"/second, removal of the swirl marks is evident as the surface regains increasing clarity and depth. After review of the surface in photos 192-195, one can either opt for use of the white polishing" pad for additional surface finessing prior to last-step product application.
Last-step product application:
Once satisfied with the restoration of the surface, it is now time to apply a protective coating against the elements. To insure a direct and durable bond to the surface, a light wipe down with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water can be completed for removal of all residues from previous products used.
For our test area, we shall use the blue Lake Country "CCS" final finishing foam pad for our product application. In photo 199, the dimples in the pad slow down the amount of product absorbed into the pad without the fear of product sling. At this time, we applied the product using speed dial 4(~4000-4500OPM). This pad exhibits no cutting ability and our goal was to lay down a thin consistent product application to the surface. Once the product wipes off clean without smearing (about 15-20 minutes), the residue may be removed with a microfiber polishing bonnet on the buffer or a clean microfiber polishing towel by hand.
After reviewing results in photos 202-208, we can now compare improvement to untreated surrounding area.
As an extra measure of protection, the surface may also be topped with a choice of liquid or paste style carnauba based wax products. We elected to use a paste version in this instance to see if any additional depth or color darkening can be gained with its use. Typically this is applied on a cool, shaded surface and wiped off shortly after it is applied. (photos 213-215) Allowing the product to dry may lead to increased difficulty in removal.
After completion of this exercise, we removed our painter's tape to reveal the comparison views with photos 221-228. After using the Porter Cable for this entire treatment exercise, we did one final measurement with the FS 488 paint meter. In photos 233-235, we have registered 7.0 mils once again resulting in no observable loss of paint surface thickness.
Questions and comments welcome.
06-26-2007, 02:49 PM
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Update-June 26
Today is the first rain to hit these surfaces since our completion on June 20. Over the next 90 days we will continue to monitor and report the visual effects of our test area.
Water beading on the previously treated left half of the exterior bed wall as compared to continuous solid water sheet on the untreated surface:
In addition we did a portion of the horizontal hood surface to measure the characteristics using the same step by step protocol as the bed wall:
Today is the first rain to hit these surfaces since our completion on June 20. Over the next 90 days we will continue to monitor and report the visual effects of our test area.
Water beading on the previously treated left half of the exterior bed wall as compared to continuous solid water sheet on the untreated surface:
In addition we did a portion of the horizontal hood surface to measure the characteristics using the same step by step protocol as the bed wall:
07-06-2007, 02:47 PM
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Update July 5:
It's been 15 days since the beginning of our test. Rainfall continues almost daily for the last 2 weeks here. To date, the surface has been untouched. Examination of the surface after evaporation does reveal some noticeable streaking in the wax protection of both areas.
Water beading continues in our test areas as compared to the standing water of the untreated perimeters.
It's been 15 days since the beginning of our test. Rainfall continues almost daily for the last 2 weeks here. To date, the surface has been untouched. Examination of the surface after evaporation does reveal some noticeable streaking in the wax protection of both areas.
Water beading continues in our test areas as compared to the standing water of the untreated perimeters.
