It will soon be time to slap the polish on the old Caravel. I'll be using Southern Shine and (shudder) an off-brand polisher/buffer.
From what I've read, sweatshirt material seems to be the favored cloth for bonnet covers, but can anyone provide tips on making one's own and how to attach same? I know I'm going to need a bunch of them. I've looked at illustrations of Cyclowraps such as on this PERFECTPOLISH site, but I don't understand what keeps the cloth from knotting up when the pad is spinning.
I loop the material over the pads and hold it in place at the handle.
The pad dosn't really spin around and around on a cylco and that's why no swirl marks. You can't use this method on buffers that do spin around.
Cyclowraps are for use with the Cyclo polisher. Each one of the 4" heads work in an orbital motion rather than turn clockwize or counter-clockwize. If you looked closely at details on how the wraps are tied at the handle of the cyclo polisher you will see a ratching plastic device sort of like one side of a pair of handcuffs that tighten around the wrap and handle. I'm sure that this would keep a piece of sweatshirt from getting away from you
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
TYVM for the replies. I was under the mistaken impression that the Cyclos were so popular mainly due to the twin heads. I didn't realize they were "orbital" rather than "rotating". Now I understand their popularity.
The polisher I planned on using is a high speed rotating model. Maybe I should reconsider.
Check out this page on perfect polish. cyclo wraps . You don't have to use the clamps. I tie mine in front of the motor housing between the motor and the grasp handle. It makes the material fit tightly over the heads. The material doesn't wad up or come off. The Cyclo is the quintessential polisher for use on the Airstreams.
Making individual covers is time consuming and they won't last long. That will be a lot of work for little reward. With the Cyclo wraps, you get 16 polishing surfaces on one wrap. I used at least 30 on mine and washed them at least twice so that is equivalent to 90 wraps. Times 16 that is 1440 polishing surfaces to do a 31' trailer.
__________________
Vic Smith
WBCCI #6782
31' 78 Airstream Excella 500
2001 Ford Excursion V-10
Reese hitch and dual cam sway control
Great job on polishing your rig!!! Your pics are very motivational. Question, what is the Liquid Glass your refer to? I've heard of using Glass Wax (which is now discontinued).
Thanks Jason,
Here is a website for Liquid Glass. What drove me to it was the statement that it was also good on chrome aluminum... etc.
I am still in the testing phase. It still seems to water spot but not as bad as without it. It maintains it's lustre though, better than the areas I used Mothers Carnuba wax on.
BTW, I got the 16oz can at Advance Auto Parts for about $17. That's cheaper than on the website.
Just to clarify, it's a near consensus that you must use a polisher as the first polishing step. Many use a cyclo at the end to get rid of the swirl marks. Some don't.
For now get the 3M pads, they are much better than the junk you can get at most stores.
Thanks for the info, seeing the can on the website got the lightbulb burning, I remember my brother using the stuff on his dragboat. I've seen it around after all! Let us know how it works for you in the long run.
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