3 stage polish
Written by: Vinnie van Rooij
When you polish a surface, the level of imperfection defines how much work it will be to achieve a perfect finish. This can either be a 1 stage polish, a 2 stage polish or even a 3 stage polish. Different types of stages needed define slightly what pads and/or polish you are going to need, and might give an indication of the time-frame needed.
Contents
What makes it a 3-stage polish
a 3 stage polish is a 3 step process in which you use 3 different polishes to end up with a finishing polish. It doesn’t have to mean that you begin with a rough polish, then a medium polish to end with a finishing polish. It also applies when you use a medium polish, light polish and then a finishing polish. As long as the process involves 3 different steps, it is considered a 3 stage polish.
However, the most commonly used situation is when a detailer uses a heavy polish, then a medium polish and ends with a finishing polish.
Reasons to choose a 3 stage polish
There can be several reason why you would choose a 3 stage polish:
- You need to do quite some corrections
- You have the time do as much as you can
- You feel/think/know that a 1 or 2 stage polish would be to little
Whatever the reason might be for you, a 3 stage polish has its benefits and its downsides. The main benefit is that you can achieve a lot of correction. The downside is that it takes a lot of time. Especially professional detailers that have to work with fixed time-frames sometimes need to make a general decision based upon: what approach will remove the most imperfections in the least time. A 3 stage polish might not often be the most efficient choice.
How to save yourself time
Make the decision to work with either SMAT or DAT.
When you are working with a medium polish, and you want to skip the need for a fine polish, because you want to jump to the finishing polish, you probably want to use a DAT polish. This will start out with the cutting power of a medium polish, but after working it in, you will finish with a very fine polish. Which will minimize the jump from a medium polish to a finishing polish.
However, keep in mind that a medium DAT polish will remove less microns of paint then a medium SMAT polish, simply because the SMAT polish will retain its cutting power whereas a DAT polish will become more and more fine, cutting less and less as you work it in.
Make the right decision for you situation and you might save yourself a lot of time.
Mothers Wax is a California, America based manufacturer of detailing products. They offer a wide variety of products that include shampoo, wax, sealants and tools. They have been busy in the world of detailing for several years....-
So, you've got all the gear, you know how to handle the machine polisher - but how do you choose what pad and polish combination to use to achieve correction on your paint finish? This thread tackles that very question. It is not brand specific, so the basics here apply to all polish ranges....
-
OCD Finish is an English manufacturer and seller of detailing products. The brand was setup by the annoynce of having to buy many different products from different sources. It started out with 2 owners and is run by Neil Trew at the moment....
-
Edging is the practice of polishing around the edges before polishing the rest of the panel. This means that you take the time to polish these relative sensitive areas first before working on the complete panel.This minimizes the risk of a strike through or burn through on the edge of the paintwork....
-
Some prefer to wash with warm water, others prefer to wash with cold water. Although the experience of working with it may be different, it is not completely clear what the difference is in the effect it has on a product or a surface....
-
The IDA is the International Detailing Association, an American based association aimed at creating a standard for the detailing, valeting and car care industry by sharing information, networking between manufacturer, professionals and industry peers. IDA's mission is stated as: Promoting the success and growth of the professional detailing community....
[…] Referenz 2 […]