DA polisher for a newbie
Discussion
You can use a DA to correct the paint.
You'll need...
The machine polisher.
A range of pads - cutting, polishing, finishing.
Selection of polishes - heavy, medium and light.
Measuring the paint prior to polishing will show you how much you have to play with. Not checking and striking through will be a costly mistake.
Before you polish, you need to thoroughly clean the car. Remover all tar and clay the paintwork.
It'll take you a couple of days at least to do a good job on it. It's not easy to learn but a DA is more forgiving.
Then wax or seal the paint after to protect it.
It may sound expensive to have it done professionally, but the results will be far better. You're paying for the time and knowledge
You'll need...
The machine polisher.
A range of pads - cutting, polishing, finishing.
Selection of polishes - heavy, medium and light.
Measuring the paint prior to polishing will show you how much you have to play with. Not checking and striking through will be a costly mistake.
Before you polish, you need to thoroughly clean the car. Remover all tar and clay the paintwork.
It'll take you a couple of days at least to do a good job on it. It's not easy to learn but a DA is more forgiving.
Then wax or seal the paint after to protect it.
It may sound expensive to have it done professionally, but the results will be far better. You're paying for the time and knowledge
I'm sure scratcher means well but it's not as bad as that on lightly swirled but otherwise good condition paint.
I've got a DAS6 Pro which I use with Sonax Profiline EX 04-06 and a yellow, medium, pad. Your paint would already need to be marginal to do any damage with that combination. I've used it on an E60 and Suzuki.
If you can get to j6 m25 area you can borrow my stuff for a beer!
I've got a DAS6 Pro which I use with Sonax Profiline EX 04-06 and a yellow, medium, pad. Your paint would already need to be marginal to do any damage with that combination. I've used it on an E60 and Suzuki.
If you can get to j6 m25 area you can borrow my stuff for a beer!
I have just gone down this road and went for the DAS6 PRO as above from ' CleanyourCar'. Used with Chem guys green, orange and white pads with VSS swirl and scratch remover. Had great results, really safe and very satisfying on my 1999 porsche 996. The paint was already quite good but in some lights had some swirls. The colour is now swirl free and with rich deep shine, just need to take your time. 
Having paid a professional detailer for a days training with a DA, yes you could do damage with one but would have to be a tool of the highest order to manage it. If you're using that much pressure on the polisher to inflict damage you'll stop the pad from rotating thus negating the ability to cause damage. More likely to cause damage by claying i.e. not folding/replacing the clay often enough & subsequently using dirty clay.
Oh & if Trickywoo is too far is Reading any better?
Oh & if Trickywoo is too far is Reading any better?
Alex88 said:
Trickywoo, that's incredibly generous of you, thanks. A bit far for me as I'm at Potters bar, but I guess it would get the 6 out for a change. It's become a bit of a driveway ornament! You may well hear from me
No problem at all and you would be most welcome. I have a 545i so you can see the condition of my paint before making any decisions!I did have a further thought, and its how I started out. You can get a soft (finishing) pad and something like Menzerna Super Finish Plus SF3800. You likely won't do masses of correction with that but if your paint is only lightly swirled you can work that combination for quite a long time without worry of doing any damage at all and it'll give you time to get used to the machine.
I have seen a video on youtube of IIRC a Mequiers professional showing how you can get the same results by hand as you can with a DA by replicating the movements of a DA but for all that effort I'd get a DA (I did).
Not the one I've previously viewed but ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30jcJHdXoqs
Not the one I've previously viewed but ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30jcJHdXoqs
I can take cack-handedness to unknown levels of idiocy when it comes to any sort of DIY, but I have managed to use a DA polisher on my cars a few times without causing any damage. I went down the local scrappy and bought a bonnet to practise on first. I use the Meguiars three stage stuff with appropriate pads, after washing and claying, clay mitts are good too. As said above, with a DA its fairly easy to use but bloody hell it takes a long time, took me around two days the last time, oh and your fingers will ache after as well.
trickywoo said:
I'm sure scratcher means well but it's not as bad as that on lightly swirled but otherwise good condition paint.
You're right. It's not too bad to get to grips with a DA and get a good result at home.I just like to let people know what's involved to get the finish most people get a picture of in their mind. There's more preparation to do and it takes more time than a lot of folks realise
I've helped a few people learn how to use machine polishers comfortably. I'm in Milton Keynes so not a million miles away.
flimper said:
Winky151 said:
Having paid a professional detailer for a days training with a DA
Do you mind me asking how much? I have a DAS6 Pro plus a few bits n pieces but am a bit scared to use it!Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff