Tamiya polishing compound question

[NOBLNG]

I am trying to polish a paint job that has been cleared with Mr. Hobby UV cut gloss. I have wet sanded up to #10,000. When I put a bit of coarse polish on a cloth and start rubbing, I can feel it cutting. Then after a short while, the compound goes clear and the surface seems to get “slippery”. Is this normal and what does it mean? Is it still doing any cutting at this point or do I just stop and go to the next stage? Thanks for any insight.

Greg

Edited yesterday at 05:08 PM by NOBLNG

[espo]

Tamiya offers at least two polishing compounds that I'm aware of. Not sure which one you may be using, but I think that what you're experiencing sounds like the feeling when has achieved the smoothest level with whichever compound you're using. I'm partial to their "Finish" compound level before going to any type of wax finishing. 

[NOBLNG]

3 minutes ago, espo said:

Tamiya offers at least two polishing compounds that I'm aware of. Not sure which one you may be using, but I think that what you're experiencing sounds like the feeling when has achieved the smoothest level with whichever compound you're using. I'm partial to their "Finish" compound level before going to any type of wax finishing. 

I have the coarse, fine and finish compounds. They all seem to behave the same way. After only a few seconds of rubbing they go clear and slippery.

[espo]

1 minute ago, NOBLNG said:

I have the coarse, fine and finish compounds. They all seem to behave the same way. After only a few seconds of rubbing they go clear and slippery.

I think it may depend on whether you're getting the finish you're after at that time or if you need to add a little more compound and polish some more. I use a microfiber towel when polishing and at times it has seemed as if the towel was absorbing a lot of compound and had stop polishing. I have never used the course compound you mention, and the fine compound followed by the finish level seems to have worked the best for myself.   

[NOBLNG]

Thanks David. The coarse definitely exhibits this behaviour the most markedly, but the two finer grades also go clear after a brief rubbing. Fwiw, I am using some eyeglass cleaning cloths for polishing since I got a bunch of them cheap on Amazon.

[Bainford]

6 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Thanks David. The coarse definitely exhibits this behaviour the most markedly, but the two finer grades also go clear after a brief rubbing. Fwiw, I am using some eyeglass cleaning cloths for polishing since I got a bunch of them cheap on Amazon.

Yes, I know exactly the thing you are experiencing. Curiously I find it more prevalent with the Finish grit, but I think it is quite normal. I've been using Tamiya polishes for years and find this to be quite common with aggressive rubbing. When it does, I keep right on going, bringing out that great finish, trying to keep the pasty stuff on new areas and working it around. When polishing, I give at least two polishes of the Finish stuff. If I'm not happy, I go back and do a rub with Fine, then the Finish again. Be careful with that Course stuff; it can really remove some paint, especially at edges and panel gaps. If you sand to 10, 000, don't use the Course, and you probably don't have to go too hard with the Fine, either.

Edited 17 hours ago by Bainford

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Bainford said:

Yes, I know exactly the thing you are experiencing. Curiously I find it more prevalent with the Finish grit, but I think it is quite normal. I've been using Tamiya polishes for years and find this to be quite common with aggressive rubbing. When it does, I keep right on going, bringing out that great finish, trying to keep the pasty stuff on new areas and working it around. When polishing, I give at least two polishes of the Finish stuff. If I'm not happy, I go back and do a rub with Fine, then the Finish again. Be careful with that Course stuff; it can really remove some paint, especially at edges and panel gaps. If you sand to 10, 000, don't use the Course, and you probably don't have to go too hard with the Fine, either.

Thanks Trevor. Good to know that this is how the compounds are supposed to behave. I polished this Dart and thought it looked good after wet sanding with 4,6,8 and 10,000 then the three grades of polish. But when I took a second look there were a lot of swirly scratches that I hadn’t noticed. So I went over the drivers door again with 8 & 10 then the polishes. I think I may just be rushing the process.🥴 I’m happy with the drivers door now and I put quite a few coats of clear so hopefully I can get the rest of it smoothed out.

Edited 14 hours ago by NOBLNG

[Bainford]

That looks great, Greg. I'm really digging your Dart; love the colours.

I always finish off with a rub of Tamiya wax to add that little bit of luster, and to make finger prints easy to remove. Be aware, though, that the wax makes the body quite slippery to handle.