Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

just wondering if electric hand polishers are worth buying or is it better to use elbow grease?
Is there a better finish with a polisher?
Do they cause damage?
Are they worth the money?
thank you in advance
Alan

Hi Alan,

I recently attended a Swissvax detailing day at Gmund with Yorkshire region. To answer your questions:

Make sure you buy a proper machine polisher with variable speed. You don't want to use anything more than 600 rpm. Work in small sections always feeling the paintwork with the back of your hand. The reason you do this is to make sure you are not overheating the paint. You need a variable polisher as you will need to reduce the rpm when polishing up polyurethane bumpers and the like so they don't warp. You can pick polishers up for around £30 from Machine Mart.

The key to the finish is in the prep. You need to clay bar the paintwork first. There are plenty of kits out there. If the paint has swirls marks, you need to use a cutting compound. This can be used in conjunction with your polisher using a medium foam pad. Step 2 is using a deep shine polish again appiled with the polisher. Step 2 is important as this is where you're polishing work makes the difference to the overall finish. Step 3 is a carnuba wax which is purely for protection.

There are various products on the market. I have used the Meguiars 3 step polish system but after attending the detailing day, I've learnt that no amount of elbow grease will give you the finish you want. I need to invest in a polisher.

The alternative is to have it done professionally. Dave Doherty, one of Yorkshire region members, had his 3.2 Carrera polished professionally. The results were amazing. It looks like looking into a mirror when its done but costs around £400.

Sorry to have waffled on so much but detailing is a topic in its own right. It takes a lot of patience.

All the best,

Ben

Great info thanks Ben I tend to use the Meguiars 3 step after clay polishing and Iam generally pleased with the results......trouble is Iam always looking for better

I'm just lazy, I think I'll buy one to make it easier. Less time cleaning and more time driving. Thanks for the info' Ben, at least I know what I'm looking for now.

Lee.

Same as me Alan. I've used the Meguiars 3 Step polish to good effect but after going on the detailing day I realised I was wasting my time. You're never going to get the finish you want by hand polishing. I would like to get a machine polisher before the years out so I can give the car a good polish before the winter. I can practise on the wife's car first. It bearly ever sees a bucket of water and when it is washed the paint is all swirled. I can polish her car to get my eye in. And if I f*#k it up she won't bat an eye lid anyway.

Ben

Meguiars are doing a polishing demo at the show.

I wash the wifes car about once a month if shes lucky.She always moans that the 944 is always being cleaned.
I like the idea of practicing on her car

cheers Shaun I will look out for this

And I have the perfect demo car!

I don't know what's gone on with mine recently - the swirls are absolutely dreadful in sunslight and a long session with a machine is in order.

I could be bribed to recommend a vehicle to the guys from Meguiars.

Forget all that elbow grease and fancy electric gizmo's, just wait until the Cub Scouts are doing 'bob a job' week

Excellent! What'll it take? An extra stint on the stand at Gaydon? Donation to charity? Name your price, Sir!

Sorry chaps this is in hand..i am sorting them out a black or blue one for the session. And no it wont be mine.

thats their request not mine....

You're kidding aren't you Clive? There's no way your car needs any additional detailing. Yours is the car to beat on the Pride Of Ownership stand.

Ben

Well, it is blue if that helps, but if you've already made arrangements, so be it.

It's not the one in the profile pic by the way - that's gone. It's my crusty 944 S2 that needs the treatment