I am going to buff my car after doing some touch ups, the only buffing cloths that I have found are lambswool and terry cloth. What am I supposed to use, I already have the fine cut buffing compound and now I just need the cloth. The orbital buffer that I bought is a 2-speed 1800RPM and 3000RPM, any ideas?

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1987 Camaro Sport Coupe
305ci 4bbl (LG4)
3.23 Gears
THM 700-R4 Automatic Transmission
All Stock

 

The wool will do a better job, but is not as forgiving. I used the wool when I buffed my car (with 3m compound) and a foam pad for polishing (with 3m compound).

Miles

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88 427 Camaro
12.18 @ 113mph 1.75 60ft
Currently installing 3.73's into my 9 bolt (YES, it is a 9 bolt & YES they are 3.73's, not 3.70. I currently have 4.10 gear sets and new series 3 carriers in stock for 9 bolts )
www.koolmeister.com

 

Don't use an orbital buffer to compound. You will need a decent size rotary buffer/sander and the correct buffing wheel and pads. You can get the buffer at Home Depot, Sears, Lowe's, etc. The buffing wheel and pads can be found at an auto body supply shop.

(Assuming the car has been washed already)
Step 1, compounding

Use 3M fine rubbing compound and a wool polishing pad. Then was the car to get rid of all the old compound(including jambs).

Step 2, polishing

Use 3M "finesse it" machine polishing compund and a foam pad

Step 3, hand waxing

Use 3M show car pure carnuba wax and a soft cotton cloth.

When you are buffing, so a small section at a time and buff until the compound dissapears. Keep the buffer moving and don't apply pressure. Also, be aware of the rotation of the buffer so that the pad runs off the edge of the panel, and not into the edge.
If you do this, you will get an unbelievable, shiny, smooth finish. Maintain it with regular washings and 3M cleaner carnuba wax 3 times a year.
Good luck.

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89 Transam GTA, 350TPI, auto, 3.27 rear, dual cats, gray.
Magnaflow cat-back,
K&N open element,
Best E.T. 14.63@95mph

 

well some of you know what you are doing..
not to sound like a know it all but this is what i do for money

step one. wash off your area of work
step two. buff at 1800 rpms ideal for car finishes. i use a cotton pad at work with perfect it II but i am changing to perfect it III extra cut. and then polish using 1800rpms still with a foam pad and 3Ms perfect it III machine glaze, its black.
then wash the whole car again.
then hand glaze the entire car doing this in very small areas. you can also wax at this point, but at work i never see the car again so i just hand glaze.

now take some meguiars show car shine stuff and spray on the car, this will take any final swirls away till the next time you wash.

and make sure you hold the buffer square to the finish, dont angle it, angleing will leave more swirls, and take longer, and dont let the compound load up on the pad, that will also slow down your time.

thought i could help.

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Jarrad
1990 IROC-Z L98 350 TPI
TH-700R4
G92- 9 Bolt Borg-Warner 3.27gears
Dupont Flame Red Hardtop/ Grey Interior

Working at Carl Cleve & Sons Auto Body Repair as the wetsander/buffer.

1991 GREY S10 2.5L/5SPD -FOR SALE.