Machine polishing.... for a novice

[Podie]

I've always washed, polished and waxed cars by hand - I actually find it quite therapeutic!

However, without getting into the full detailing malarky - it appears that I could get better / faster results with machine polishing.

As a complete novice (and a typical bloke with a need for another power tool) is it worth it? Is it easy? Perhaps more importantly, do I risk damaging the paintwork?

Advice very much appreciated...!

[Adam_W]

If you get a Dual Action polisher rather than a rotary its likely to be slower but safer.

[Loplop]

Getting decent tape to cover your plastics and such will help a load.

[Robb F]

Everything you need to know.

Rotary

Dual Action

Edited by Robb F on Friday 8th March 10:59

[TheFungle]

I've a dual action and found it fairly easy, very good results can be had by either Dodo Juice lime prime, this is a very mild cleanser/polish if you are not aiming for full on correction.

[Blue Oval84]

I'm not much better than a total novice but did this to my friend's Tigra with one-

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

I highly recommend you buy one!

[long time lurker]

I was going to say get signed up on detailingworld... but a few have already posted links

[Podie]

OK, well those links and the list of seemingly random names have spooked me, quite honestly.

Local coachworks wants £80 to MOP the car... hmm...

[Junglehop]

This first post is eaxctly what i was thinking of posting! i couldnt ahve put it better myself!

i too am concerned about damaging paint... especially old paint thats looked pretty good (not very good) for the past 30 odd years!

[BliarOut]

Subscribing in time for the FB "I've fked my car' rant

[B'stard Child]

Podie said:

I've always washed, polished and waxed cars by hand - I actually find it quite therapeutic!

However, without getting into the full detailing malarky - it appears that I could get better / faster results with machine polishing.

As a complete novice (and a typical bloke with a need for another power tool) is it worth it? Is it easy? Perhaps more importantly, do I risk damaging the paintwork?

Advice very much appreciated...!

I did a detailing day (organised by Dodo Juice a couple of years back) I found that really usefull got to have a go so it was a really practical excercise - I'm sure I did a thread on it......

Anyway I would have ben very scared to use a rotary before the course but after it I didn't worry me at all.

[Muzzer79]

If you're nervous, nip down the scrapyard and get one/two old panels - bonnets for example - to practice on.

Better to strike through on those, than your own car.

When you feel ready, then go for it on your proper car.

[V6Alfisti]

I went to polishedbliss and asked them, as they used to give very detailed recommendations for your car (i.e softer paints, softer compounds)

However in general I would say:-

Meguiars G220 polisher

Intensive Polish
Final Polish
Good quality liquid wax
Glaze if your feeling lazy or want to do black plastic
Generally a matching polishing pad for each
High quality unlabelled microtowels
Non silicone based shampoo like Poorboys
Two bucket washing process with lambswool mitt.
2000-2500 grit sandpaper if your brave/know what your doing.

This little lot will put you in a good position for a very shiny car.

[Digger]

V6Alfisti said:

I went to polishedbliss and asked them, as they used to give very detailed recommendations for your car (i.e softer paints, softer compounds)

However in general I would say:-

Meguiars G220 polisher

Intensive Polish
Final Polish
Good quality liquid wax
Glaze if your feeling lazy or want to do black plastic

Generally a matching bugger pad for each

High quality unlabelled microtowels

Non silicone based shampoo like Poorboys

Two bucket washing process with lambswool mitt.

This little lot will put you in a good position for a very shiny car.

You missed out a clay bar and appropriate detailer spray!!!!

[V6Alfisti]

Muzzer79 said:

If you're nervous, nip down the scrapyard and get one/two old panels - bonnets for example - to practice on.

Better to strike through on those, than your own car.

When you feel ready, then go for it on your proper car.

Thats a good move, I had a spare panel in my loft but ended up being impatient and went straight to the Alfa. Luckily a bit of common sense saw me through but would still be tempted to play with a panel for more intensive work.

[Mr2Mike]

Take a bog standard rotary polisher (e.g. Silverline), add a small helping of common sense and a sprinkling of caution and you won't damage the paint.

Attack the paint like a ham-fisted baboon, and even a Dual Action polisher can mar the finish.

I have polished loads of different cars with my Silverline rotary and Farecla cutting compounds and not only have I seen excellent results with no damage, I haven't spent a fortune on stupid "designer" polish brands.

[ImDesigner]

If you want to have a go, get yourself this kit;

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/d...

Each pad and compound is matched and colour coded for ease of use, you get everything you need to enhance your car and the price is reasonable. Be sure to do your reading on dual action polishing and you'll be hard pressed to go wrong, but there are steps you need to follow to correct your paint properly.

Top off your freshly polished paint with this;

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/auto-finess...

It's a paint sealant (basically a wax replacement) that you litterally wipe on, wait for a few minutes to cure, then wipe off. It's that easy.

Apply it with the black side of this;

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/zaino-6-tri-fo...

Top up the gloss with this after each wash;

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-sprays/aut...

Do that and you'll maintain a freshly polished glossy appearence without having to re-polish and seal every time.

Have fun!

[ribenavrs]

Podie said:

OK, well those links and the list of seemingly random names have spooked me, quite honestly.

Local coachworks wants £80 to MOP the car... hmm...

Don't do this

I did that and they made an awful mess, browse DW as suggested, get to one of the demonstration days and take it steady. Just a clay bar and a hand polish with the right product will work wonders......

A DA, a couple of abrasive compound polishes, a bonnet from a scrap yard and some time will give you confidence to tackle your own car?

Have fun

[Podie]

Panel from a scrappy is a good idea.

Useful advice, thanks guys

[Reeso]

Podie.....why didn't you speak to me at silverstone! You berk!

One of the guys I was with is a detailer.