After scouring this site regarding the cut & buff process I don't quite have my head around it. Let me first say I don't have the courage to use a DA on single stage for sanding so it's going to be hand blocking and sanding.
That said what grits, types and brands of products step by step has anyone used with success? Please include what grits are used dry and which are wet?
After sanding I have have no issues using a rotary buffer with an aggressive pad. I have a fair amount of experience using an old heavy Milwaukee Electric polisher. Any recommendations on wool pads? Do I need two pads, one more aggressive than the other? Recommendations on foam pads and & compounds?
Oh, you've got the worm can wide open now
I did the same scouring last year when I was wrapping up the Suburban project. Decided that 3M trizact system was the way to go and went and spent ~$200 on trizact pads only to see a post the next day that Jim C. had "moved on."
I used them and they did the job. I also used the 3M line of cutting/polishing compounds. Expensive, did the job, but very messy and hard to clean up.
I copied this post from
@Jim C and will use it for the current project:
"i recently ditched the 3m 3000 trizact in my process for the blue bufflex. so much better. so i start with 1000 dry then do pink assilex which is 1500 then blue bufflex (2500) then 8000 trizact. so far this has been the most fool proof and quickest method for me."
Now I see he is experimenting with the sunmight finishing film. I'm just going with the previous.
Bottom line is there are a lot of products and approaches that will work. And just as many opinions. You will have to read and make your own decision.
The one thing that is consistent:
DO NOT BURN THROUGH. That will be a major headache. Tape edges, go easy, do whatever you have to do to not burn through.
Oh, and none of this stuff is cheap. Expect to lay out some real money for the pads, discs, compounds, etc.