DA Car Polisher

[ZTec]

Hi All,
Been wondering what to do about my paintwork, new spray job or a good polish. Decided that I've got nothing to loose by investing in a polisher (cheaper option) and if I do cock it up then new paint it is. Can anyone suggest a polisher or have any experience with one of these machines, and how good they really are, what grades of polish I would need. Much appreciated. Tec.

 

[Bozzy]

Recently @Antm72 bought a d.a polisher from eBay about £60 and got excellent results.
I don't know much about them,what compounds and products etc to use but I'm sure someone will advise you.

Steve

 

[Redline]

The more I read on this subject the less I know. I think going to one of the occasional meets that the detailing gurus do is probably time well spent.

 

[Antm72]

There are lots of options and choices of products to use and it is a minefield.
The machine itself is fairly striaght forward, a da polisher is very safe its action means the head doesn't stay still like a rotary polisher so the ability to create heat and burn through is not there making it safe.
I watched lots of You Tube videos explaining this and demonstrating this fact as i like yourself was sceptical and feared damaging the paint.
The what to use is the more daughting choice as they all cut differently and the pads have different jobs.
I watched a vid of a guy using Chemical Guys VSS swirl and scratch remover. The car a flat red paint and he did half the panel in it and the difference was astonishing. What is good about it is it starts off as a cut but in the process breaks down to a finer consistency and then polishes too. Its a one hit compound and the results where great.
A DA is fundermentaly a polisher and although you can use for paint correction a rotary is what you would really use to do this as its harsher being a forced rotation polisher.
Im sure there are many views these are my findings but the product field was the big one for me i spent ages trying to get a grip on what to use but the stuff i tried worked well for me

 

[billz]

Like Antm72 says the Rotory is more for paint correction than polishing. I have ordered a DA which will solely be used to polish the Zed. If you have slight swirls then start off with a cutting compound on say a polishing pad and if it is not doing its job then use a more aggressive pad. The way i found the best combination is to find a small area and try the different pads and compounds on it till you see the right results. Always best to take a paint depth also to make sure you have enough topcoat on before you start. Chris at Summit Detailing would be the best guy to answer any questions on this

 

[Cooper]

Hi, I have a DAS6 and use Menzerna??? compounds . Just get a name brand Dual Action Polisher and you will be fine. Also use a name brand cutting compound set, there are several but really they all do much the same thing. As stated Chemical guys sell an all in 1 product. It can get confusing as there are different pads and different cutting compounds and then again different paints respond differently as well! The key is cleanliness. clean the car, then clay the car properly, then use the recommended pad and compound. Watch a lot of YouTube vids to grasp the concept and then have a go. If in doubt start with the least aggressive pad/compound - the motto is do the least harm. Cheers.

 

[Summit Detailing]

This kit would be a good starting point for someone who has never picked up a machine polisher before...

http://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/acc...-machine-polisher-koch-chemie-polish-kit.html

cheers

Chris

 

[Russell O]

Hi, I have a DAS6 and use Menzerna??? compounds . Just get a name brand Dual Action Polisher and you will be fine. Also use a name brand cutting compound set, there are several but really they all do much the same thing. As stated Chemical guys sell an all in 1 product. It can get confusing as there are different pads and different cutting compounds and then again different paints respond differently as well! The key is cleanliness. clean the car, then clay the car properly, then use the recommended pad and compound. Watch a lot of YouTube vids to grasp the concept and then have a go. If in doubt start with the least aggressive pad/compound - the motto is do the least harm. Cheers.

Agree with this lots,

Cleanliness is a big thing here.
The car has to be squeeky clean.
Take as much as you can off the car, Number plates etc as dirt behind can dislodge and once on your pad can be a disaster for your paint.

 

[ZTec]

Agree with this lots,

Cleanliness is a big thing here.
The car has to be squeeky clean.
Take as much as you can off the car, Number plates etc as dirt behind can dislodge and once on your pad can be a disaster for your paint.

Always there then, been using clay bar for a few years now and taking plates off, am I OCD or what.

 

[ZTec]

This kit would be a good starting point for someone who has never picked up a machine polisher before...

http://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/acc...-machine-polisher-koch-chemie-polish-kit.html

cheers

Chris

Thanks Chris, I'll definitely look into this one. There's so many out there so one that's been recommended is worth a look.