Machine Polish

[Rowlers]

Today I finally got my DA machine polisher out and gave my Citigo a going over.
Snowfoam, but the included "snow gun" with my pressure washer was crap, so new one ordered (Essential??)
Wash
Clay
Wash
Meguiars Ultimate Polish
Meguiars Ultimate Compound - where needed on the bird poo stains.
Wash.







Its not perfect, I didn't want to go too aggressive on the pads/compound on my first go, but its a heck of a lot better than it was... My arms are aching and I've still got the Autoglym EGP and a coat of wax to go on tomorrow.

 

[wimmie]

Looks good. Have been looking for a Rules Da polisher which one did you get?

 

[Rowlers]

Looks good. Have been looking for a Rules Da polisher which one did you get?

I just bought a cheapie from Amazon. Knowing it would only get used a couple of times a year, I couldn't see the point of dropping big buck on a professional machine.

KATSU Tools 850W Dual Action Car Polisher - 150 mm: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

KATSU Tools 850W Dual Action Car Polisher - 150 mm: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

The pads from eBay but some are on Amazon too:
"hexlogic"

SPTA 3Pcs 3/4/5/6/7'' Sponge Polishing Pads Buffing Pads Buffer Pad For Polisher | eBay

3Pcs 3/4/5/6/7Inch Buffing Sponge Polishing Pads Kit Set For Car Polisher Buffer Material:Sponge Size:4inch(100mm); 5inch(125mm);6inch(150mm);7 inch(175mm) Quantity:3pcs Color: Orange,Black,Blue For 5inch polishing pad: The foam pad size is 135mm, the hook&loop size is 125mm. For 6inch polishing...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Dipesh]

Looking good mate!

On my daily cars, I don't go for perfection purely because of the use. You're forever chasing your tail.

Rupes machines are nice but if you're using it a few times a year it's not needed. I use my polishers regular with my sales cars and I don't feel I need one. If you were polishing every day then I would say get one.

Check cleanyourcar.co.uk and you'll see some great alternatives.

 

[MPH]

I used clay when I had a car I cared about, but never used anything but elbow grease. If your going to give your car a good clean regularly I bet a machine polisher is a good investment.

Your care looks great! I cleaned my van and our car a couple of weeks ago and they are still clean.... The one advantage to being in lockdown.

 

[wimmie]

Despite the two buckets washes, and fully rinsing and great car wax from Collinite the 845 there are little swirls in the paint. I was looking for a DAP 900 only the shop told me that it would have hard time going through the extremely hard paint of the Audi. So Flex or Rupes would be the alternative. They are definitely worth the money. Only I don't know if I find it worth the money when used once or twice a year?

 

[ShaunWistow]

Nice one, if you use a de-tar & de-iron product you’ll make life easier for you prior to cloying.

 

[Rowlers]

I've just added a coat of Autoglym EGP too. Man, what a bast@rd that is to buff off. I'm knackered
I'll av to find another sealer instead, CBA with that in the Passat, which is next week's challenge!

 

[ShaunWistow]

I've just added a coat of Autoglym EGP too. Man, what a bast@rd that is to buff off. I'm knackered
I'll av to find another sealer instead, CBA with that in the Passat, which is next week's challenge!

EGP is a pain, look at FK1000p, great value, as it’s heat resistant it can also be used to seal your alloys

 

[Rowlers]

EGP is a pain, look at FK1000p, great value, as it’s heat resistant it can also be used to seal your alloys

Thanks mate, will check that out. Dug my pot of Carnauba wax out too, but that was full of mould! It's at least 15 years old so binned it!
So looking to get another pot of wax and thought about the Maguiars Ultimate liquid wax or the Bilt Hamber Double Speed. Thoughts?

 

[ShaunWistow]

Thanks mate, will check that out. Dug my pot of Carnauba wax out too, but that was full of mould! It's at least 15 years old so binned it!
So looking to get another pot of wax and thought about the Maguiars Ultimate liquid wax or the Bilt Hamber Double Speed. Thoughts?

Firstly, would t touch the megs. Now next question is, why would you want a wax? The FK sealant is good enough on its own. Between washes you can use their quick detailer which is superb, spray on, buff off for gloss, no effort needed at all.

 

[Rowlers]

Firstly, would t touch the megs. Now next question is, why would you want a wax? The FK sealant is good enough on its own. Between washes you can use their quick detailer which is superb, spray on, buff off for gloss, no effort needed at all.

Lots to learn I guess! I always assumed that the wax added extra depth, but I guess if the sealant is as good as you say, I'll not need it. I'll check out there detailer too as I just use the the Optimum No Rinse at the mo...

 

[Rowlers]

If your going to give your car a good clean regularly I bet a machine polisher is a good investment.

To be honest I was rather nervous putting the machine to paint. But once you get over the initial nervousness, it was quite an enjoyable experience. and the results speak for themselves. There is still the faintest of bird poo stains which prob needs a more aggressive pad to shift, but you can only see them if you know where to look and at the right angle!

 

[Vacumatic]

To be honest I was rather nervous putting the machine to paint. But once you get over the initial nervousness, it was quite an enjoyable experience. and the results speak for themselves. There is still the faintest of bird poo stains which prob needs a more aggressive pad to shift, but you can only see them if you know where to look and at the right angle!

I have been thinking about a machine polishers for some time, I need to learn more about what type to buy, I think that there is something called a DA and also a single pad machine. I have been put off by a friend who used one on a Mercedes and went through the lacquer on the wing at the first pass, it looks like the peeling skin on someone's back who has had too much sun. I am assuming that the speed on the dial was too high, or he was heavy handed or he had not put enough polish on the pad, or a combination of all three.

My routine when the car is filthy, I wash the wheels thoroughly just using a wax wash, dry the weels, next step is to snow foam a dry car, allow to soak, rinse, wash with two buckets and never a sponge, rinse, allow to dry ideally but if you are pushed for time use a top quality drying towel, clay bar, then polish with Autoglym SRP, this is a great product by the way, finally I wax the car. The water where I live is soft and I don't get water marks on the paint, I have heard of people in hard water areas waiting for heavy rain before they wash their cars.

 

[Rowlers]

I have been thinking about a machine polishers for some time, I need to learn more about what type to buy, I think that there is something called a DA and also a single pad machine.

Yes definitely go for the DA machine, much more user/beginner friendly as far as I have read. But they are not suitable for severe paint correction as far as I know.