What to buy for cut and buff?

Gmills

Promoted Users
I’m about to cut and buff a project for the first time in seven or eight years. I have a buffer with a white 3M perfect it pad and that’s about it. I need to purchase everything from sand paper to pads and compound. I’m not looking to get it completely slick, just cut the top off the peel and clean up dirt nibs. It will be hand sanded and has three coats of UV clear. Probably would have done four but in the middle of the perfect paint job process I started running a fever and I now have Covid. Anyway, help me out with the simplest process and what to purchase please.
 
For sandpaper, try this http://www.sunmightusa.com/products/sample-kits For pads, wool for compound and black foam Chemical Guys polish pad is all that is needed. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-ACA-500...620050?hash=item2d18fad512:g:IPYAAOSwphhfdrFE This is the compound and polish to buy. All opinions, with lots of trial and error. To just remove orange peel with 3 coats of UV, I would start with 1500 to see if it came out easily. Then you could go to 2000, or even straight to 3000. I just did a black 2016 Mustang that way, and the wool pad with 3D aca500 removed the scratches almost immediately. Then the 520 with the black foam pad removed those scratches leaving a very nice, not show quality but very nice, finish. I did the whole car in one day with that process.
 
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Thank Texasking. It appears the free samples are only available for businesses. What grits do you recommend?
 
As far as grits, with 3 coats you are limited as to how aggressive you can get. 1500 will remove normal orange peel in UV. I would be hesitant to start much coarser than that. 3M has job packs with 5 sheets https://www.amazon.com/3M-32023-Imp...ywords=3M+1500+job+pack&qid=1604890089&sr=8-4 From there, either 2000 or 3000, then buff. As far as wool pads, I use a 3M double sided wool pad, but any quality 100% wool pad will work with a flexible backing plate. I like the Chemical Guys backing plate, personally.https://www.chemicalguys.com/flexworks-rotary-backing-plate-with-hyper-flex-technology/BUFLC_BP_R_6F.html
 
I buffed the doors today and I’m happy with how it’s looking. I still have some swirl marks if you look at the right angle. What rpm are you turning? I ran 2000 on both the wool and foam pad and I purchased the 3D products you suggested.
 
With the wool pad and the 500, it should look almost perfect before the polish. Using too much compound, or not buffing until it is gone can cause swirls. Also make sure the surface is clean of all compound before polishing. If the polishing pad picks up any leftover compound from the edges or nooks and crannies, it will cause swirls. I usually start out slow, then turn it up around 1500 to finish. Clean pads, surface, and environment give the best results.
 
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