One for the detailers.

[Brian H]

Hi Guys and Girls,

Recommendations please - apologies if this has been done to death!

Looking to buy a machine polisher and associated clobber, now I'm first to admit that i'm not in to detailing so I won't be going over the top but I would like a kit or kit of parts that will keep me on the straight and narrow.

Looking at all the detailing websites just confuses me!

Any help for this novice will be appreciated

Cheers

Brian

 

[abh29]

Yes --- looking at the Detailing sites it does seem you need to have more than the basic knowledge to start with.

I am looking to clean up our cars two of which have had no more than washing in the last 4 years, so need something even before starting with the a polisher. My wifes white QQ is looking decidedly off white now.

I am finding the current "Engine Cleaning" very interesting

 

[jamie_z4]

this is an ideal introduction into the world of detailing. one i got many years ago, safe for newbies so you dont burn the paint.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-v2-meguiars-da-microfiber-system/prod_965.html

Ive since moved onto a machine polisher since i got confident with it, but for overall ease of use i still use the DA.

 

[Cooper]

I was in the same place some time ago. I did so much research and it started to get confusing. This is my conclusion but I am no pro, however I got really good results. Feel free to correct me if I mislead - anyone...

01. Get a DA polisher - this is Dual action. safe and easy to use. 5.5 or 6 inch. multi speed
02. should come with a backing plate, some have both the 5.5 and 6 inch included. this is what the pads stick on to.
03. get a range of pads for whatever backing plate you get, only get quality pads, black, white, and yellow [I think...] some people prefer microfibre for really deep scratches
04. use quality abrasives. sometimes they are called 101,102, 103 or whatever. this is where it really gets funky. everyone has their own opinion on what is best and most detailers have multiple brands and cutting compounds. Just choose one type and follow the instructions as you will do OK. Don't get too bogged down on this - it never ends.

The skill comes in choosing the right cutting compound for the paint hardness, the level of scratches and the speed to get the proper finish. the motto is "do the least harm' so start off with the least cutting compound, least cutting pad, and slower speed [fast seems to buff and make it really shine].

Watch every youtube vid you can get - try the junkyard man he is good and down to earth but rambles on. NY AMMO is awesome but he is a OCD perfectionist but well worth watching.

and MOST important. Wash, clay, dry, then start detailing. If your car or equipment is dirty you will wish you never attempted to detail it yourself. I paid $$ to a professional that screwed up the paint on my Suzuki some time ago -hence from now on I do it myself.

Very little compound is actually needed and don't get anything too wet as it casts off and is a mongrel to get out of the hood!

Cheers,

 

[5harp3y]

i went for this kit

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...ion-polisher-menzerna-intro-kit/prod_720.html

it achieved this on its first outing

from this



half way



to this in one day using all the kit above

 

[mrscalex]

You'll probably get a good few recommendations for the DAS-6. And cleanyourcar. That's where I got mine from:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...s-6-pro-meguiars-hex-logic-kit/prod_1212.html

Great piece of kit - I really think you need look no further.

Not sure about the compounds. It did a good job and a spectacular one overall but I was left feeling it could have taken a few more scratches out. But maybe I need a compound that's more agressive and or I need to use wet and dry. Both are next on my list. Certainly many people swear by the meguiars 105/205 so it's probably just me.

I'm trying 3M compound next as that's what the bodyshops use.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252427910207

You will need to get into selecting the right pads for the right compounds. Probably best to go with the suppliers recommendations. cleanyourcar put packages together with the right stuff. the 3M range is colour coded. Blue top bottle, blue 3M pad.

 

[Cooper]

Awesome. I also used Menzurna. It's not really that hard, just be clean and take your time and look all the time as you progress through the job.

 

[jamie_z4]

sorry ive no before pics but this was a while ago using the meguiars 105/205 combo on a DA, it was heavily swirled and carbon black shows up all defects.

nice car too, my mates e39 m5 before he sold it

 

[billz]

I would go for a quality DA Polisher as you can not really go wrong. You will need to get some decent pads but i would not go above 5". You will need to get some cutting compound, fine cut compound and final polish compound i use the 3M as they come in a Green, Yellow and blue top so are easily distinguishable with out have to keep checking the labels to make sure you have the right one for the task you are doing at the time.
Dont bother with any of the normal Halfords compounds as they are s--t and you wont benefit by them
I get all my stuff from Ultimate Finish
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...GTHafPueGB2bPxIhiDEQSVorBlYioM6UwMaApxC8P8HAQ
I now have 2x Rotarys and a DA that i use for just the up keep

 

[Brian H]

Thank so for all the input, much appreciated

 

[Sean d]

OMG DA polishing is so laborious but granted it is a bit safer, I use a direct drive 8" mop and thats bad enough but if you really want to cut back hard its the way to go. Not for the faint hearted though
We bought a 4" DA for the workshop and within the hour I had converted it to a direct drive, love it now as it gets into all the tight spots.

 

[mrscalex]

OMG DA polishing is so laborious but granted it is a bit safer, I use a direct drive 8" mop and thats bad enough but if you really want to cut back hard its the way to go. Not for the faint hearted though
We bought a 4" DA for the workshop and within the hour I had converted it to a direct drive, love it now as it gets into all the tight spots.

I believe it's written in the big book of complete amateur body working that us mere mortals shouldn't be let loose with orbital polishers as we do things like burn the paint