Kidz
Member Since: 05 Oct 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 295
  
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| Hand Polish v Machine Polisher |
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Was wondering what most people have to removal bramble rash etc. Should i invest in a machine polisher
and which panels would you attempt to use this on ? Or should i just stick to the manual application method...
Has anyone done an idiots guide to machine polishing on the D3 ? If so, can someone direct me
or email me a copy to [email protected]
Looking at Kestrel DAS6 polisher, what have people found to be the best pad/applicators to use ?
Would appreciate your views/comments 
Regards
Kidz
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 1st Jul 2010 8:14 am |
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The Transformer
Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1791
 
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I like 3m pads myself and Menzerna polishes
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| 1st Jul 2010 8:18 am |
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mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
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OK, it depends on how confident you are.
Firstly, there are 2 types of machine polisher, Dual action and Rotary. To be frank, you really would have to go at it like a cow with a rifle to do any kind of damage with a DA machine. These are considered safe even for novices.
Rotary machines are a different ball game though and you need to be confident and competent to use them safely. That's not to say you can't learn quickly enough but you need to have a feel for them and know where the limits are.
Both are infinitely better than the handraulic method  The DA will take considerably longer than the rotary as well.
If you fancy a DA machine then the kestrel is OK from what I've read. I have a Meguiars G220 and that's OK too, if a tad expensive.
I fyou wanted a rotary then Silverline do a Makita copy which is good - circa 45 quid. BUT. Until you are confident of how it should feel I would suggest practising on a scrap panel first. This is what I did and it gives you the comfort of knowing you can only  up a scrapper and not your precious car. Once you have the feel for a rotary it is lots quicker than a DA and doesn't give you tingly fingers for 3 days after either 
As for pads & polishes, I like the 3m pads. Meguiars make some nice ones too. For a DA machine I prefer Lake Country pads though. Polishes, again I would use either Menzerna or 3M. Tried and tested - Menz is line used by Merc and 3M seems to be used by a lot of bodyshops.
Take a look on detailingworld.co.uk and watch some of the video guides. They will be time well spent.
HTH.
Dom
EDIT. Take a read of this.
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=66024
Last edited by mzplcg on 1st Jul 2010 9:46 am. Edited 1 time in total
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| 1st Jul 2010 9:23 am |
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Renton
Member Since: 13 Jan 2009
Location: Somewhere in the middle
Posts: 1718
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Look at the Polishedbliss website. They have a "how to" guide and sell good pads.
Also youtube and the meguiars website provide usefull info.
The Kestrel DAS6 is a perfect piece of kit for the job. You will never get the same result with a "handjob".
There is not much then can go wrong with machine polishing as long as you dont keep polishing on the same spot for a longer time.
Spend some money on high quality pads, polisher and sealer and you will get that showroom shine back on you car. CLUB ILLEGAL CAR WASHERS
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| 1st Jul 2010 9:24 am |
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The Transformer
Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1791
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Also if you can find someone local with a paint depth gauge then its not a bad idea to go over the car first just in case someone has already gone over the car very agresively and left you with not much clearcoat to play with
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| 1st Jul 2010 9:28 am |
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mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
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+1 for Polished Bliss.
And I also have a paint gauge if you want to come and use it.
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| 1st Jul 2010 9:47 am |
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