After owning 2 DA's, I eventually got around to attempting to do my bonnet.

The bonnet has the usual swirl marks and some other light marks.

I did not take any pictures as the marks are only visible in direct sun

I started of using a hex white pad, with Megs 205, on a section. Dabbed about 5 blobs of compound and worked in, then higher speed and worked until no more compound was visible. Repeated this 3-4 times, before changing to Megs 105, still with the white pad, and repeated 4-5 time.

After about another 30 mins, or so, most of the swirls have gone, but some small lines remain. I gave up as the sun came out and the panel was too hot!. Protected the surface with Hellshine. Looks much better now.

My questions are: how do I know when I have used all then compound and is there any problems still polishing if the compound has been used up?

Have I got it correct with repeating the compound application and polishing process about 5 times: ie -apply compound to pad, work in low speed, high speed till compound is gone, wipe panel, then repeat this process?

How long does it take for the compound to be completely worked in before having to reapply?

Would I be better starting of with the hex orange pad and the Megs 105?

I may attempt to do the rear pillars later, if I can find some shade

Thanks

Nice one Such, always daunting getting busy with the DA for the first time. 

 

Now, I haven't used the Megs polish before, but I believe these are non diminishing abrasives ie, the abrasive particles don't break down. So I can't help you on that one too much, but on diminishing abrasive particles the polish goes clear, more like a gel, and thats when it's time to slow the machine down.

 

You carry out the compounding until you are happy with the finish, but be aware, if you compound too much, you risk striking through the clearcoat. So if you are compounding four or five times, it may be work investing in a paint depth guage, or seeing if someone local has one that you can borrow. Different compounds require different set times, so there is no definitive answer to that, but again, someone will be along who has used the Megs polishes to help out. You should be starting with Meg's 105 Ultra Cut before switching to 205 Ultra Finishing though. 

 

For example, for correction on hard paint (BMW, Audi) I would go with Scholl S17 on an orange/green hexlogic pad depending on degree of defects, followed by Sonax Perfect finish or Britemax Blackmax on a 3M Yellow pad. I would do just one set with S17, working for a couple of minutes in a couple of foot squared, making 5-7 passes, before slowing the machine down making a couple more passes. Then repeat for the finishing polish if I'm happy with the degree of correction. If I wasn't happy, I would step up with the pad, ie, use the orange pad if I was using the green in the first instance.

 

The rule of thumb is start on the least aggressive combo and work your way up until you're happy with the finish.

 

Hope this helps, buddy.

Thanks for that, not up to speed with all the different pads, will try and make do with what I have, which is:

Hex orange, white & red: Mezerna - Black.

I did not go over the bonnet with the finishing polish after the the cut .....oops. May have to do that then?

It did look ok anyway, but may look better?

Also, can I use the same pad (white) to apply the finishing directly after the compound?

Thanks again

No worries. Always a good idea to make use of what you have.

Unfortunately not, you really need to change pads between the compounding and refining stages. The finer polish you use, the better the finish will be. That is how a really fluid look is achieved.

Just tried the scholl S20 and the scholl honey pad on soft lexus paint, was doing a fine job apart from bonnet spiders and the likes. So used rupes grey pad with rupes uhs and results were

 

fantastic. The scholl pads are something else dont even get warm,  iv been outside all day in the sun. Admitted the car is silver so does not get overly hot. I would recommend the scholl pads, 

 

Also hardly any sling from the scholl compound, only thing i taped up was around headlights. 

If you need any more practice on a silver car... My Saab needs doing at some point! Lol

105 first with a cut pad orange pad

205 with the white pad

And if poss a black or red pad to apply your lsp

105 first with a cut pad orange pad

205 with the white pad

And if poss a black or red pad to apply your lsp

 

Thanks, how many passes with the orange pad, once it's applied?

I usually do a couple of passes applying moderate pressure

Make sure you put a marker pen line down your da plate (will let you know if you are Applying too much pressure and prevent the pad spinning)

1-2 rotations per second

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859