Training, training and more training!
posted 23rd September 2022
It's crazy that I still get the call about 'flatting marks coming back', it's usually down to the fact they didn't go in the first place. Straight into the valeting bay with lighting which can be seen from the international space station and it looks like Torvill and Dean have performed on that bonnet!
Products have changed over the years, I'm old enough to have used lambswool first time around with ammonia-based compounds to the modern products we see today. Products change, processes are tweaked but if you don't check and scrutinise your work, that job is coming back, might not be today, but so much time is lost from reworks. I've been there myself; you get pulled away from the job you were doing and then end up rectifying it and then are under pressure as you lost time on the job you were pulled from and end up stressed, life it too short to be upset or frustrated.
Polishing is a tough gig, dedicated polisher and you can't win, painter does their own and it's taking you away from the thrill of applying paint which we love!
Few things to ask yourself, are you using the right products? Is your backing bad the right one, is it rigid or does it have an interface? What do you clean your pads with? I notice a lot of the more modern compounds soak into the pad and then over a time soften up and lose their cut- do you operate multi pads? Do you hit your jobs too soon, do you check the paint is still soft or do you hit it anyway? I always say to people make the area you are polishing smaller, check and check the work. So much time and materials are lost from doing things twice.
There is no shame in asking for training, we can all learn things, even it's about a product or process. One of my visits this week was with a painter who said he had no issues, little trip to the valeting bay and all the marks were still there and the valeter was mopping them out with an old machine and dirty pad covering the car in nasty holograms. I'm not here to criticize and never will, just here to help in a constructive way!
Nobody offers me free products or samples, I'm not 'sponsored', I provide customers with the best process for their environment, it's very rare you visit even just two different bodyshops which have the same booth, spray gun set up, air flow, time to reach temperature, baking cycle, application, film thickness, paint brand and products, the list is endless, in fact- it's impossible! That's why there is never a one size fits all.
If someone is offering you training, don't be insulted, accept it and you never know... you just might learn something!
If you want to talk products, DM me on @the_masked_painteruk or email on blog@carpaintstore.com and I'll always talk.
Keep smiling, attack the day!
The Masked Painter