cococola wrote:
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
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
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 
