Help on machine polishing!! Complete rookie

[Connoraslett96]

Hey all!

I am a completle rookie and i am looking at getting a dual action polisher for my car.

Im 23 but only been driving for 2 years so as you can imagine i am very very new to this so any advice no matter how basic would be great! Please try not to troll
However i am completley clueless and a google search seems to be confusing me so if you guys could help me out you would be a life saver!

So my questions are:

Which inexpensive dual action polisher would you recommend?

With Polish do you use standard car polish or "compounds" as im not sure if they are the same thing?

I have watched videos but is there a recommended way to get all the swirl marks easily visible? (My car is outside so can be difficult depending on weather)

What wax is best to use with a dual action polisher and do i need a additional sealer for best results?

Any other recommendations or tips you can give no matter how basic?

Thank you again in advance it is appreciated!!

Not sure if needed but i have a mazda 3 2015 in dark gray (swirl magnet)!

[monty999]

Das6 pro machine, selection of pad grades, some scratch and swirl remover, a wax to finish, plenty of microfibre cloths and most importantly.....plenty of time ! At this stage don't get too particular about product brands etc(it really is a mine-field of expensive stuff), just get some and give it a go. With a DA you can't go far wrong but just don't rush this will be a slow process but you will see results. Good luck.

[_Hoppers]

Does anyone recommend a paint depth gauge to check clearcoat thickness before cutting/polishing?

[the cueball]

_Hoppers said:

Does anyone recommend a paint depth gauge to check clearcoat thickness before cutting/polishing?

It's always good to try and get some idea of what you are dealing with, but unless you pay top money for one, you aren't going to see the individual layers.

The cheap ones give an overall reading, so base, colour and clearcoat.

So it'll read 115 microns, but 114 of that could be base and paint.

You can try to measure a spot on the car with colour, but no clear like under thebonnet inside wing etc... but again, it's only going to give you very basic information to work with.

[p4cks]

I was in the same position as you OP a few months ago, and went this route:

As a starter, I'd recommend this for £50: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8647300

And get some a variety of generic pads from eBay that fit

And get some Farecla G3: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FARECLA-G3-Advanced-Liq...

And some microfibre cloths to wipe the old polish off. Costco ones are good

And find a shed to practice on.

I didn;t find a shed but instead did my headlights on my Clio V6 and also a few passes over the front wing - looked amazing.

Once your confidence and technique improves, then you can look at spunking money on all of the other compounds and polishes and pads etc

[LordGrover]

_Hoppers said:

Does anyone recommend a paint depth gauge to check clearcoat thickness before cutting/polishing?

A dual action polisher is unlikely to take much off. If he were using a rotary I'd be more concerned.

[Connoraslett96]

monty999 said:

Das6 pro machine, selection of pad grades, some scratch and swirl remover, a wax to finish, plenty of microfibre cloths and most importantly.....plenty of time ! At this stage don't get too particular about product brands etc(it really is a mine-field of expensive stuff), just get some and give it a go. With a DA you can't go far wrong but just don't rush this will be a slow process but you will see results. Good luck.

Brilliant thank you! I seem to somehow make just washing the car an all day thing so will be sure to take my time, thank you for coming back to me!!

Is there a wax that works well with a dual action polisher? Thank you again

[Connoraslett96]

p4cks said:

I was in the same position as you OP a few months ago, and went this route:

As a starter, I'd recommend this for £50: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8647300

And get some a variety of generic pads from eBay that fit

And get some Farecla G3: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FARECLA-G3-Advanced-Liq...

And some microfibre cloths to wipe the old polish off. Costco ones are good

And find a shed to practice on.

I didn;t find a shed but instead did my headlights on my Clio V6 and also a few passes over the front wing - looked amazing.

Once your confidence and technique improves, then you can look at spunking money on all of the other compounds and polishes and pads etc

Thank you thats great! With pads this is going to sound stupid how will i know which ones will fit or is there a generic size / fit they all use?

Also is there a wax you would recommend?

Thank you all for coming back to me your all right with the minefield of brands, im sure its straight forward but confused the life out of me!

[Connoraslett96]

Connoraslett96 said:

p4cks said:

I was in the same position as you OP a few months ago, and went this route:

As a starter, I'd recommend this for £50: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8647300

And get some a variety of generic pads from eBay that fit

And get some Farecla G3: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FARECLA-G3-Advanced-Liq...

And some microfibre cloths to wipe the old polish off. Costco ones are good

And find a shed to practice on.

I didn;t find a shed but instead did my headlights on my Clio V6 and also a few passes over the front wing - looked amazing.

Once your confidence and technique improves, then you can look at spunking money on all of the other compounds and polishes and pads etc

Thank you thats great! With pads this is going to sound stupid how will i know which ones will fit or is there a generic size / fit they all use?

Also is there a wax you would recommend?

Thank you all for coming back to me your all right with the minefield of brands, im sure its straight forward but confused the life out of me!

Also is there any certain pads i need to get for certain passes to get rid of swirls or scratches?

Also is there certain pads needed for wax?

[RBS Bob]

Let The Junk Man teach you.

https://youtu.be/KP-eAddv2sk

[Fast Bug]

I'd suggest going over the car with a clay bar before breaking out the DA

[p4cks]

Connoraslett96 said:

Also is there any certain pads i need to get for certain passes to get rid of swirls or scratches?

Also is there certain pads needed for wax?

I've found that pads tend to be the same fitment but I might be wrong. You'll need different diameter pads though because whilst a large diameter one is good for bonnets and doors, it's not great for small corners or edges of panels so that's where your smaller ones will work better.

Wax? I've only ever used Autoglym HD wax applied by hand. It's expensive, but the stuff I have at the moment I've had for over ten years and it's only about half way used.

[_Hoppers]

LordGrover said:

A dual action polisher is unlikely to take much off. If he were using a rotary I'd be more concerned.

My worry would be if the car had had some major correction work in the past leaving the clear really thin

[_Hoppers]

the cueball said:

It's always good to try and get some idea of what you are dealing with, but unless you pay top money for one, you aren't going to see the individual layers.

The cheap ones give an overall reading, so base, colour and clearcoat.

So it'll read 115 microns, but 114 of that could be base and paint.

You can try to measure a spot on the car with colour, but no clear like under thebonnet inside wing etc... but again, it's only going to give you very basic information to work with.

[D'oh]

I have a little guide for beginners here - might be of use

https://drivedetailed.com/beginners-car-polishing-...

Best of luck with it , its really enjoyable and becomes addictive