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The Edge 2000 Dual Action Polisher How To

<font color=red>The Edge 2000</font> Dual Action Polisher How To

This guide explains how to detail by machine with the Porter Cable 7424 or the FLEX XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher and the Edge 2000 Foam Pads. You'll read what pads to use for specific paint problems and get some suggestions on swirl removers and polishes. You can also download a printer-friendly version of this information as a quick reference guide. There's no more guessing what pads to use - its all outlined right here.


What accessories do I need?
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Learn how to remove swirls, scratches, and oxidation using your circular polisher, also known as a rotary polisher. This guide will explain what Edge pads should be used for each step of the detailing process and we'll give you our top recommendations of swirl removers, polishes, and last step products.

The Edge 2000 System offers a lot of options. Here's a rundown of the features and the pads.


The Edge 2000 Pads Key Features:
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No backing plate! The Edge 2000 DA Adapter is precision machined to fit da polishers.

  1. The Edge pads attach to your polisher using a Quick Connect Adapter that pops into the center of the pad. The connection is very secure and, because the adapter is in the center of the pad, the pad is always balanced.

Double-sided.

  1. Since the pads do not require a backing plate, both sides are usable. Instead of buying two single-sided white pads, you buy one Edge white pad.

Versatile.

  1. All The Edge pads work with any polisher. You can use 6 inch pads on your rotary polisher; just be sure you have the Edge Rotary Drive Adapter. You can use the same pads on your dual action polisher with the Edge DA Drive Adapter. One set of pads works with both types of polisher. All you have to change is the adapter.

 


Many varieties to choose from:
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The Edge pads are available in Flat and Wave foam, as well as 6 inch and 8 inch. The popular choice for circular polishers is the 8 inch pads.

The Edge 2000 Green Medium Cutting Pad The Edge Flat Foam: Provides constant contact with the paint. The 6 inch pads have a rounded edge. The 8 inch pads have a beveled edge that polishes easily between and around the vehicle's exterior features.

6 inch Edge White Ultra Finishing Wave Foam Pad The Edge Wave Foam: The convoluted design allows a constant flow of air through the pad's valleys. This reduces heat and minimizes the risk of burning the paint. This safety feature comes in handy when using a rotary because the high speed, centralized motion of rotary polishers is more likely to burn the paint than a dual action.

Beyond just size and wavy or flat, you now have to choose what type of foam will work on the vehicle at hand. Here are your choices:

The Edge 2000 Yellow Cutting Pad

Yellow Cutting - This pad is aggressive, and will cut through deep surface marks and swirls. They work well on heavy oxidation and pitted finishes, and will remove wet sand scratches without causing burning.

The Edge 2000 Green Medium Cutting Pad

Green Medium Cutting - This pad is useful for light oxidation and moderate to severe swirls and imperfections. This pad will yield amazing results on older vehicles, and should be used on vehicles with moderate swirls and imperfections. Add a compound or pre-wax cleaner for a flawless finish on base coats.

The Edge 2000 Blue Polishing Pad

Blue Finishing - This pad is great for everyday use. It will leave surface areas scratch-free and smooth while still removing light swirls and imperfections. Use with wax and polish to apply a fine gloss. Safe on clear coats.

The Edge 2000 White Ultrafine Polishing Pad

White Ultrafine Polishing - This ultra-smooth polishing pad contains 80 pores per inch, allowing for fine polishing which creates a bold, crystalline gloss Use this pad to apply waxes, polishes and sealants. Safe on clear coats.

The Edge 2000 Drive Adapter

Edge 2K Drive Adapter - Precision machined brass quick connect adapter  has a 5/16 inch thread.

The Edge gives you lots of choices!
We'll break it down to the necessities:

For most polishing applications, this is the most popular line-up: The Edge2K Drive DA (E-210), an orange or green pad for swirl removal, a blue pad for a finishing polish, and a white pad for wax application. Now you're ready to get started.


How do I polish out swirls and scratches?
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The following is a general guide to polishing. It will take you from compounding to polishing to finishing. If your paint problems do not require compounding, skip to polishing. If you’re not sure, start with polishing. Always take the least aggressive approach first! If you don’t get the desired results from polishing, then use a swirl remover and light cutting pad.

The pads pictured at the beginning of each section indicate what pads can be used to perform the job described. The flat pads and the wave pads are interchangeable.

  1. Please note:  If your fingernail catches the scratch or swirl, it will require painting and must be repaired by a professional. Attempting to remove deep blemishes like this could result in cutting down to the primer, which would be an expensive repair.


I. Compounding & Swirl Removal
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The Edge 2000 Yellow Cutting PadThe Edge 2000 Green Medium Cutting Pad

Compounding involves using the most aggressive type of swirl remover, called a compound. XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover 4 is a compound.

Swirl removers can range from light to heavy, as in the XMT Series of swirl removers. From lightest to heaviest, these swirl removers are: XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover 1, XMT Fine Swirl Remover 2, and XMT Intermediate Swirl Remover 3. Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover is versatile swirl remover that works on a wide variety of paint imperfections. The application of compounds and polishes is the same.


Compounding & Swirl Removal Procedure:

  1. Choose medium green cutting pad and a swirl remover.
  2. Apply a bead of swirl remover around the edge of  the pad. Some will say apply a quarter size amount. You can even apply it directly to the paint. Ultimately you're going to spread it around so how the swirl remover gets on the paint is up to you. Spread the swirl remover over a small section  (about 2 x 2 sq. ft.) with the polisher turned off to prevent sling.
  3. Set the maximum speed on the polisher at 5. Turn the polisher on and work the swirl remover in a side to side, overlapping motion. Move slowly to give the abrasives time to work.
  4. NOTE: The Porter Cable tells you if you're applying too much pressure. The pad will stop rotating. Lighten up on the machine and let it do the work for you.

  5. When the swirl remover turns to a transparent film, the abrasives have broken down. Turn off the machine and lift it off the paint. Buff away the residue with a soft Cobra Microfiber Towel and inspect your results. If you are not satisfied, upgrade to the yellow cutting pad. 


II. Polishing
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The Edge 2000 Blue Polishing Pad

Polishing improves the smoothness and gloss of the paint. Use Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish or XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover 1 if you’ve just compounded or if the paint has very light swirls or haze.

If your vehicle did not require swirl removal and has no significant imperfections, you may opt to use Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion or XMT Finishing Glaze instead of a true polish. This prewax cleaner will clean the paint and improve its luster.


Polishing Procedure:

  1. Use the blue polishing pad on your polisher. Apply the polish of your choice to the pad or to the paint and spread it around with the machine turned off.
  2. Set the maximum speed to about 4.5. You're not trying to cut. You're just trying to burnish the paint to a high gloss. Work in a side to side, overlapping motion until the polish turns clear.
  3. Buff with a Cobra Microfiber Towel and check your results. If you can still see some haze, repeat the process. This time, be sure that the abrasives are fully broken down before you buff.

II. Finishing
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The Edge 2000 White Ultrafine Polishing Pad

Once you've achieved the optimum shine, follow up with a wax or sealant to lock it in. A wax or sealant is only as good as the finish underneath it. Pinnacle Liquid Souverän or XMT 360 are great choices for machine application, but the paste waxes can also be used.

Note: Because of the speed and potential heat generated by a rotary polisher, you may elect to do the finishing work by hand or with a dual action polisher. If you are comfortable using a rotary, use it at a slow speed with zero pressure. Keep the machine moving at all times. 

  1. Use a white pad on your polisher. Apply the wax of your choice to the pad or to the paint and spread it around with the machine turned off.
  2. Set the maximum speed to 3 or 4. You do not need speed to apply nonabrasive products. Spread the product over the paint until its sufficiently covered. There are no abrasives to break down. You are just trying to get even coverage.
  3. Buff off the product with a Cobra Microfiber Towel or slip a Microfiber Bonnet over an unused pad. The bonnet is like having a microfiber towel on your polisher. Just be sure to put the bonnet over a clean pad so no products will seep through the bonnet.

 


Detailing Tips:

  1. The polisher will do the work for you. There's no need to apply pressure.
  2. Pad and product selection is not an exact science. The severity of the imperfections, the cut of the pad, and the aggressiveness of the product all factor into the final results. Don't be afraid to experiment.
  3. Start with the least aggressive method first. Go to a more aggressive pad or polish only if necessary.

Foam & Wool Pad Cleaning

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The easiest way to clean your foam and wool pads is to drop them in pad cleaner while they are still wet with polish or wax. Dried products are more difficult to remove from the pads. To do this, mix up a bucket of water and Cobra Quik Clenz Pad Cleaner or Snappy Clean at the start of your detailing session. As you finish using each pad, drop it in the cleaning solution to soak. When you are finished with your detail, use the Foam Pad Conditioning Brush to agitate the pads. Then rinse the pads and lay out to dry.

When your clean pads are dry, put them in a sealable plastic bag or container to keep them free of dust until their next use.



Qty Edge 2000 6 Inch Yellow Cutting DuraFoam PadEdge 2000 6 Inch Yellow Cutting DuraFoam Pad - E-621Z
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Qty Edge 2000 6 Inch Green Medium Cut Foam Pad - <font color=red>Now with softer foam!</font>Edge 2000 6 Inch Green Medium Cut Foam Pad - Now with softer foam! - E-2036
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Qty Edge 2000 6 Inch Blue Finishing DuraFoam PadEdge 2000 6 Inch Blue Finishing DuraFoam Pad - E-623Z
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Qty Edge 2000 6 Inch White DuraFoam PadEdge 2000 6 Inch White DuraFoam Pad - E-624Z
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Qty Edge2K Drive DA Adapter  (compatible with Porter Cable 7424)Edge2K Drive DA Adapter (compatible with Porter Cable 7424) - E-9535
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Qty The Edge Dual Action 6 Inch KitThe Edge Dual Action 6 Inch Kit - E-DAKIT
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Qty 6 inch Edge White Ultra Finishing Wave Foam Pad 6 inch Edge White Ultra Finishing Wave Foam Pad - E-7206
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Qty XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover #1 <i>by Pinnacle</i><br>
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Qty XMT Fine Swirl Remover #2 <i>by Pinnacle</i><br>
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Concentrated Micro Abrasives are the secret to this swirl remover’s success. Pinnacle has good news for anyone
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Qty XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover #4 is a true polishing compound with a high concentration of heavy grade abrasives. Concentrated abrasives increase the compound’s cutting power with minimal increase in compound haze. XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover eliminates your vehicle’s worst flaws to begin to restore the depth of color and gloss to even the most neglected paint finishes. XMT Heavy Duty Swirl Remover #4 Polishing Compound - XMT-7000
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Qty XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze <i>by Pinnacle</i><br>
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Qty Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover: Remove swirls and scratches, restore gloss, polish out oxidation, car polish, diminishing abrasives, pinnacle polish, restore auto paintPinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover - PIN-220
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Qty Foam Pad Conditioning BrushFoam Pad Conditioning Brush - PAD-TOOL
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Qty Cobra Quik Clenz Foam & Wool Pad Cleaner (3 Pack)Cobra Quik Clenz Foam & Wool Pad Cleaner (3 Pack) - COBRA-QC
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