Buffer speed for ACA500

[Dave333]

I’m currently buffing Universal clear that has sat a month. Laid 3 coats, hit it with 800 and then another 3.

After it cured I block sanded 1000 dry, 1500 dry, 2000 wet, 2500 wet and 3000 wet.

I’m using a Flex 3403 and Lake County 6” wool pad with 3D ACA 500. Speed recommendation on the ACA 500 is 1000 rpm which is a 1 setting on the flex but I’ve heard from Barry and others to step up to a 3 or 4 speed.

After the wool I’m using a black hex logic pad and 3D 520 polishing. I’m still seeing straight line scratches.

Do I need to kick the speed up on the wool pad to 3 or 4 to get those scratches out or go back to 1000 and sand again?

Thanks.

 

[dhutton01]

Turn it up and see if it works. . Just watch that you don’t get it too hot and burn the paint.

If you started at 1000, no need to go back to 1000. Worst case those are 1000 grit scratches.

Don

 

[Whitesnake]

I’d say crank her up another click or 2, maybe slow down a bit and let the polish and pad do the work. People are scared of wool but it’s actually pretty easy to work with. It runs much cooler than foam, mf, etc.

 

[Dave333]

Thanks guys that did it. Clicked it up to 5 and it removed all the scratches and left a nice hologram pattern that the 520 and black foam removed.

Appreciate the help.

 

[Jim C]

so i am using a 3403 as well and the aca 500/510. that buffer with a normal 6" wood pad should be run around 3.5-4. 5 is a bit too fast for my liking but 1000 is far too slow. wool always runs faster than foam. overall your looking for 2000-2200 rpm for wool and 1300-1400 for foam.

 

[Dave333]

Thanks Jim. Yeah I had to move pretty fast with it at 5 to prevent any burns. Today I’ll do the other panels at 3.5 - 4 and see how it works for me.

The foam I was running at 1.5 and seems to be the perfect speed for me on it.

Appreciate the advice.

 

[shine]

i run on 1-2 always. heat is not your friend. it can remove paint in sheets. if your skilled it's not a big problem but if your not and get all wound up buffing out scratches your going to turn your paint into rubber. lower speeds just take a little longer.

 

[Dave333]

Got it. I alway appreciate yours and Jim’s advice. I just made the switch to wool over the orange pads and noticed the difference.

I’ll spend more time on it today. The fact that 3D also says to keep it at 1000 rpm with wool pad tells me something as well.

I just remember Barry saying in the forum before to run the first pass a little faster and then kick it down so was checking the consensus.

 

[Jim C]

slow is fine. Just remember that your running a 6” pad not a full 9” so your surface speed is going to be way less at a given rpm than what they are recommending. Typically speed recommendations are made with a std 9” pad. In the end you need to buff at a speed that is comfortable for you and your skill lvl.

 

[dhutton01]

Got it. I alway appreciate yours and Jim’s advice. I just made the switch to wool over the orange pads and noticed the difference.

I’ll spend more time on it today. The fact that 3D also says to keep it at 1000 rpm with wool pad tells me something as well.

I just remember Barry saying in the forum before to run the first pass a little faster and then kick it down so was checking the consensus.

Keep in mind the 3D yellow wool pad is more aggressive than the Lake Country pad you are using. It is the most aggressive wool pad I have used.

Don

 

[Dave333]

Keep in mind the 3D yellow wool pad is more aggressive than the Lake Country pad you are using. It is the most aggressive wool pad I have used.

Don

Thanks Don, I just placed an order for their yellow wool and black pads in 9”. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Today I found that keeping it at about 1200 rpm and just taking a slower pass worked the best.

For the extra few minutes it takes to go slow, I don’t worry about burning the paint.

 

[Jim C]

The 3403 is a mini size light duty buffer meant for a 6” pad. It will overheat with a 9”. Its just not meant for that

 

[Dave333]

The 3403 is a mini size light duty buffer meant for a 6” pad. It will overheat with a 9”. Its just not meant for that

Thanks, just cancelled the order and sticking with the 6”.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

After hearing Don and Jim rave about the 3D xtra cut yellow pad I went ahead and ordered one. It arrived today and I was really surprised how small and thin it was. Comparing it to other wool pads I've used it's dainty. Like half the thickness or less. Doesn't look durable IMO. Darn thing better last for $40+ bucks. Looking forward to doing some panels with it tomorrow with the 3D 500 compound.

 

[dhutton01]

I don’t think Jim raved about it, just me. I’m not worried about longevity, I just found it cut faster than my black wool Presta pads. At my age time is priceless. And yes, the price is outrageous as I stated a few times. I think one pad will last me a few cars easily. One pad has already buffed my 56 Cameo and the 76 Blazer. YMMV!

The one advantage is that they don’t shed like crazy like my Presta pads. The Presta pads fling wool everywhere especially when they are new.

Don

 

[Jim C]

Yeah i have never used one. I actually use the cheap 3 pack of wool pads avail on amazon. My guys are buffing every day. They last quite awhile for what they are and cut well. They dont make alot of fuzz. When they wear out we just toss them

 

[dhutton01]

Yeah i have never used one. I actually use the cheap 3 pack of wool pads avail on amazon. My guys are buffing every day. They last quite awhile for what they are and cut well. They dont make alot of fuzz. When they wear out we just toss them

So you have staff for buffing? Nice!

Don

 

[Jim C]

Yes lol. I have a guy that does all the masking and prep to get the job ready then i go in and do my faux wood and clear then he goes back the next day to sand and buff.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I don’t think Jim raved about it, just me. I’m not worried about longevity, I just found it cut faster than my black wool Presta pads. At my age time is priceless. And yes, the price is outrageous as I stated a few times. I think one pad will last me a few cars easily. One pad has already buffed my 56 Cameo and the 76 Blazer. YMMV!

The one advantage is that they don’t shed like crazy like my Presta pads. The Presta pads fling wool everywhere especially when they are new.

Don

As long as I can get through this job I'll be happy. If it lasts for 2 cars I would be very happy. Mainly I wanted something that worked. I'm tired of going back over stuff two or three times to get all the scratches out. I've used the Presta pads and 3M wool pads and you are correct they shed alot. The 3M one is the worst IMO. I've been using the Chem guys compounds and very unhappy with them. They are so slow and if using the foam pad they recommend you really have to get down on it and heat it up. I don't like doing that. No more Chemical Guys compounds for me.

 

[shine]

try the black and white presta pad. cuts quick. CG also have a black/orange fiber pad that cuts really quick.
i still believe the pad you use has a lot to do with it. i have some old ancient double sided wool pads that will rip the hide off a rino. problem with them is if you let it knot up it will leave heavy swirls. i'm not a fan of pressure and heat while buffing. heat will kill the gloss quick. but i've been using CG's since the 70's so i got the hang of it i guess.