Machine Polishing

Author
Discussion

A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Is this a dark art - or can any numpty have a go?

I have a few typical road rash scratches and some rather more annoying car park dings on the Cayenne that Im sure could polish out or at least make look less obvious with the right amount of treatment.

So, advice / experiences / recommendations / suitable products to use with one - all welcome!

Thanks
Dom

A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
So is there a wild difference between using a bottle of t-cut or your standard polish and a 'Clarke' rotary polisher - and buying a Macquiars or 3M kit complete with exotic compounds and different finished pads?

A serious question, Im sure that these things are purpose built for the job, but what are the differences likely to be achieved in the driveway of a typical oaf like me!?

I have a couple of cars I can practice on first before I unleash the fury on the Cayenne or 911! wink


A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Very informative - thanks!

I was looking at this: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/... which obviously needs the additional bonnets.

However, I like the previous post and will have a look at the whys and wherefors of the products listed.

I guess the main reason I'd thought of a machine polisher is because the Cayenne is so vast, and people seem to be magnetically attracted to it in carparks (plus the obvious normal stone chips / stubborn insect impacts etc) that it might bring the car back to its former glory without expending a massive amount of time, effort and money.

The car is also metallic black so it shows up the scratches a treat mad

A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Tuesday 1st May 2012
quotequote all
Wholly moley - I'd better get a Clay Brick! yikeswink

Ive clay bar'd the old 911 before to great effect and she isnt blemish free either.

Okay - thanks for the advice, a little bundle from the people who know is probably the way to go, then I can tend to the collection of cars and see what results we get thumbup

A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
quotequote all
Im getting the impression that I might not actually achieve my goal with a motorised polisher anyway.

I've got a few noticeable scratches on the car which if I were to go at with a machine polisher could well turn in a large area of 'thinned' paint as I try and take the scratch out.

Perhaps as has been suggested I speak to a detailer - or take it for a professional machine polish somewhere as see what happens.

Doing that once a year to combat the light scratches and stubborn bug marks may well be more sensible.

I'll try claying the car when Ive got a spare few hours - gonna be a monster task!!!

Thanks for the input chaps.

(Anyone recommend a good polisher / detailer in the Norwich area for next time Im back?)

A911DOM

Original Poster:

4,084 posts

237 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
quotequote all
Yeah Ive had a go at claying before, and other than the time issue or washing / drying / claying / washing / drying / polishing etc its not too bad.

My main concern with the cayenne was to try and buff out a couple of scratches, being such a big car its picked up a bit of road rash, as well as obviously attracting some car parking retards who are incapable of controlling their doors rolleyes

What I have learnt from all of this is 'Dont buy a great big BLACK car, cos its bloody difficult to keep looking even close to clean' wink