SSR2.5 ...proper amount to use

[Poorboy]

Recently I have had some people e-mail, call and pm me about the proper amount of SSR2.5 to be used. Some people I have read are getting a lot of dusting and others just not the results they expected.
So this weekend I had a great project car...my grandfather's 2002 LeSabre.
It's never been polished, sits outdoors 24/7, has been through the occassional swirl-o-matic.
The pictures attached show:
1) how much SSR2.5 I use on a "DRY" polishing pad
this amount was used for 1/2 a hood, same amount for: a full trunk, 1/2 roof, 2 doors and a quarter panel
2) this is when I turn over the pad and tap it on the finish before starting the PC

[Picus]

So more product = less dusting? I will have to give that a try. I like SSR2.5, but my one complaint was that it dusted up a storm.

[Poorboy]

The product was spead at speed 1 and then turned upto 5-5.5 ....they were worked approx. 4-5 minutes, until the product virtually disappeared and the finish showed a shine...
these next 2 pictures are of the dusting ..first from one side and then from both sides combined..

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by Picus

So more product = less dusting? I will have to give that a try. I like SSR2.5, but my one complaint was that it dusted up a storm.

It's actually cover more area than use more product

[Poorboy]

Here are a couple pictures after polishing only
(please excuse my photography..I'm a novice with the camera)

[liquidtiger720]

So, ssr2.5 is suppose to dust a little?

~ Your pad a little dirty?

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by liquidtiger720

So, ssr2.5 is suppose to dust a little?

~ Your pad a little dirty?

I'm not sure you would really call it dust, but most poducts will kick off a little product with the use of a machine (PC or rotary)

[PapiJ]

Yeah any compound type polishes kick up dust when used by machine .
When it starts dusting you know it's time to reapply some to the pad and possibly brush it off

[Patrick]

Ive never had any SSR's dust on me....period. Maybe im lucky or I got the non dusting formula....lol

[mtodde]

I get dust, but I find that it is much worse if you work it too long; this can be a problem with light colored paint if until you get used to SSR 2.5.

I find that I need a little more to prime the pad for the first half of the hood and a bit less with each additional panel.

Notice how many of us do the hood first?

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by Patrick

I've never had any SSR's dust on me....period. Maybe im lucky or I got the non dusting formula....lol

Patrick after the first panel I couldn't find any dust to photograph either,
but I was trying to figure out where some people were getting all this dust from :ermm: ...I worked the SSR2.5 in the sun on a 80+ degree day and only found a little kick off even after working it when it looked like there was no product even left to polish with.
I also tried using too much product and that is where I found more kick off but no dust. I'm thinking that anyone who is getting dust is getting a build-up on their pads, since my pad showed virtually no sign of SSR2.5 left when I had finished each pass.
The mystery continues :detective
More testing to come

[norahcrv]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

. . . I'm thinking that anyone who is getting dust is getting a build-up on their pads, since my pad showed virtually no sign of SSR2.5 left when I had finished each pass.

Steve,
Would you recommend using more than one pad to do a car? Or would starting with a clean/new pad & working it throughly be sufficient to avoid build-up & dusting while doing a car?

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by norahcrv

Steve,
Would you recommend using more than one pad to do a car? Or would starting with a clean/new pad & working it throughly be sufficient to avoid build-up & dusting while doing a car?

more than one pad would be an option, but I think just checking fairly often that you don't get a build-up and brushing the pad off with a nylon brush (ala Mike Philips) would do the trick.

[SilverLexus]

I find that once you get the hang of it, dusting only occurs if you polish too long. What I like about this product is that it removes all or almost all of the swirls depending on paint condition. The ability to work in the sun is a real plus in Atlanta.

[Picus]

Well since I seem to be the only one with this "magical" dust. I will go over my process.

PC with LC cutting pad speed speed 5. The first time I put the product one I usually a little less than the picture above, in a circle. After that apply 3 nickel sized dabs to the pad and get to work on about half a panel. So I use less than the picture above, but do a smaller area. I always work in my garage, which is underground, and air conditioned. I think the issue with my process is I am working the product too long for how much I am using (as silverlexus mentioned). I normally work the 2x2 (half a panel or so) for about 3-4 minutes. Normally I find I am working it longer in an attempt to get better results. Next time I'll wipe it off as soon as it clears and just try another pass, until I see results. I switch pads often, so they aren't caking with product.

I want to mention one more thing. Before poorboys ssr's I used Menzerna IP/FPII and optimum polish, neither dusted. I've never even heard of optimum dusting. I wanted to try poorboys because, well, the same reason we all experiment with different polishes. Curiousity. I'm not trying to step on any toes or anything but I genuinely do seem to get a *lot* of dust when using ssr 3 or 2.5 (not so much with 1). And by a lot, I mean about as much as the picture above, but every single time I do a 2x2 area. I do like SSR3 a lot, since it will take out some major flaws.

[Beemerboy]

Thanks Steve I love the 2.5 for cutting I foind myself reaching for it most all the time.....I use a bit less on my pad but I cover half the hood then move over to the other side and repeat the process.....Thanks again

[z400]

Thanks for taking pictures! Good to know since I'm still a n00b at this.

I used 2.5 and it duested A LOT!!! My car is black, so that doesnt help things.

[lonewolf0420]

Did you buff it until the product was dry, or until it was clear?