Extreme Cut working time and pad use.

damon@tirerack · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008

Using w/a Cyclo.

I washed and clayed my wife's XC-90 for my first effort ever at using a polisher......

The car was basically scratch free except for just a few on the hood that were not through the clear. Being afraid to use more than necc. and not used to the machine, I started with Evolution cut on a green pad. Nothing, moved to same polish on a yellow pad, nothing much.....I finally tried Extreme cut on a yellow pad and got it to cut, but fairly slowly. I never went to an orange pad, primarily out of fear. Should I have? How much faster do they work over yellow pads?

Thanks.

Smoke · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008

Some pics would greatly help. If the hood had scratches(not deep enough to fit a fingernail into) than Evolution cut or Extreme cut should have done the trick with an agressive pad. I would only suggest using extreme cut to remove severe defects though. Remember to always use the least agressive cutting methods possible to achieve a clean finish. If the hood was just swirled than Evolution cut with yellow should have worked. Are you working the polishes until they are fully broken down, make sure only a thin translucent film is left of the paint. Put up some pics so we can help you find a solution.

DetailWerkz · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008

I agree with Smoke...

Also don't be afraid of the machine, the Cyclo is a great machine and is almost idiot proof. You will not burn the paint with the Cyclo so don't think you will do damage if you put pressure into the pads etc...

Some photos of what you are seeing will really allow us to help you move forward.

damon@tirerack · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

I would have put up pics but the car is silver, it was dusk, and my point-and-shoot just wasn't up for the job. I could not get any of the pictures to come out.

I did get the scratch out to the eye though, I just thought it would take less time. I probably spent 5 minutes on it to do it. Would Evolution on an orange pad have worked better?

Learning curve....thanks guys.

Smoke · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon@tirerack

I would have put up pics but the car is silver, it was dusk, and my point-and-shoot just wasn't up for the job. I could not get any of the pictures to come out.

I did get the scratch out to the eye though, I just thought it would take less time. I probably spent 5 minutes on it to do it. Would Evolution on an orange pad have worked better?

Learning curve....thanks guys.

I never used a Cyclo before but lucky for you I got mine delivered today. I have all the pads and will test them out with the cyclo tonight or tomorrow, hopefully I can help you find the right combos to work with. Ill post some pictures as well.

DetailWerkz · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon@tirerack

I would have put up pics but the car is silver, it was dusk, and my point-and-shoot just wasn't up for the job. I could not get any of the pictures to come out.

I did get the scratch out to the eye though, I just thought it would take less time. I probably spent 5 minutes on it to do it. Would Evolution on an orange pad have worked better?

Learning curve....thanks guys.

Are you saying it took you 5 mins to work out the swirls with the cyclo? If thats the case thats great. Normally paint correction takes upwards of 10-20 mins per panel to get optically perfect. Sometimes I have worked on a rear fender or hood for 2 hours before I get it cleaned and perfect.

The cyclo and the orange pads are the most aggressive combo you can do and really does a great job with the Extreme Cut.

Smoke: I look forward to your views on the Cyclo and how you like it over the other machines you have used in the past.

damon@tirerack · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

5 minutes on that scratch alone. Entire hood prolly a half hour. I think what I am running into is that I'm expecting things to go faster than they will....

Again, learning curve.....

Smoke · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon@tirerack

5 minutes on that scratch alone. Entire hood prolly a half hour. I think what I am running into is that I'm expecting things to go faster than they will....

Again, learning curve.....

The cyclo is by far the most user friendly machine I have used. If your not used to machine polishing than yes of course there is a learning curve but like anything it will only get easier from here. Just working with the polishes and pads is a great way to build experience. Just be sure not to leave the polisher on one spot for too long, even if its just a Cyclo.

BTW to achieve solid correction using a cyclo your going to need to apply some pressure, not a ton but enough to really breakdown the abrasives and polish out the defects. Ive found that the machine generates very little heat. This is great because it makes the cyclo super safe and you dont need to worry about burning through the clear. So put some pressure on it when doing correction, you will find its more than capable of achieving a high level of correction, even using just Evolution cut. I will try to post some pics tommorow of some correction work using the cyclo.