DA polisher purchase advice...

JoeA3

Hi guys,
I figured this would be a good place to ask this question...

I'm thinking of getting myself a DA polisher. It's something I thought about buying for ages and I might just take the plunge soon.

Now, to most people's eyes my car is absolutely mint! It's a lapiz blue MK7 Golf R and I've only ever hand washed it myself. It also had a ceramic / glass coating when new. However, there's a few minor localised issues in the paint that I think only a DA would help rectify... On a lighter colour you wouldn't see them but Lapiz is not so forgiving. Most annoyingly there's at least 2-3 bird crap etch marks - one on the bonnet is particularly bad (to my eyes). Some very minor swirl marks here and there too.

Questions:
- I'm reasonably handy but I've never used a machine polisher of any kind. Will I regret it? I believe a DA is fairly idiot proof? Is there a chance I'll make things worse?

- how much effort would be required to do minor touch ups with a DA? Such as the bird crap etching on my bonnet? I'm guessing if it's not fixed in 5 minutes it never will be? I don't envisage needing to go over the entire car. My thinking is that this would be strictly for occasional localised issues that hand polishing can't rectify.

- where's the best place to buy one? I assume I'd need a bunch of polishes and pads too. Ideally a "starter kit" including all that gear with the DA would be the way to go?

Now I know I could bring the car (again) to a pro but where's the fun in that. I figure as well that a DA would be handy to have for years to come, a worthwhile investment perhaps. Fixing minor scratches etc... My wife's car is a total mess so I could practice on that and earn a few brownie points

Any advice welcome.

edburg

JoeA3 wrote: »

Hi guys,
I figured this would be a good place to ask this question...

I'm thinking of getting myself a DA polisher. It's something I thought about buying for ages and I might just take the plunge soon.

Now, to most people's eyes my car is absolutely mint! It's a lapiz blue MK7 Golf R and I've only ever hand washed it myself. It also had a ceramic / glass coating when new. However, there's a few minor localised issues in the paint that I think only a DA would help rectify... On a lighter colour you wouldn't see them but Lapiz is not so forgiving. Most annoyingly there's at least 2-3 bird crap etch marks - one on the bonnet is particularly bad (to my eyes). Some very minor swirl marks here and there too.

Questions:
- I'm reasonably handy but I've never used a machine polisher of any kind. Will I regret it? I believe a DA is fairly idiot proof? Is there a chance I'll make things worse?

- how much effort would be required to do minor touch ups with a DA? Such as the bird crap etching on my bonnet? I'm guessing if it's not fixed in 5 minutes it never will be? I don't envisage needing to go over the entire car. My thinking is that this would be strictly for occasional localised issues that hand polishing can't rectify.

- where's the best place to buy one? I assume I'd need a bunch of polishes and pads too. Ideally a "starter kit" including all that gear with the DA would be the way to go?

Now I know I could bring the car (again) to a pro but where's the fun in that. I figure as well that a DA would be handy to have for years to come, a worthwhile investment perhaps. Fixing minor scratches etc... My wife's car is a total mess so I could practice on that and earn a few brownie points

Any advice welcome.

Take your time and pay attention yes DA is close to idiot proof. Rule of thumb start with least abrasive option until your happy with results your getting, then you should be confident to judge things job from job.

Shouldn't think it take much work to work what your describing, but all depends on damage, polish n pad combo etc etc

Lots of detail sites around have looksy about take in the information provided. Then contact one of them.

Detailshed (Curran username) will give great advise and pretty sure he set you up with good beginners pack/gear.


Now after that there is said your polishing job will only be as good as your preparation so to get the best results look at your wash techniques and products etc etc. So I will presume your an all round starter here and say also look at the pre wash and wash gear, mitts, dry towels, and loads more.

You may well need to make good on that tarting up Mrs car once she See's the bill hahaha

JoeA3

Cheers!
No I'm definitely not a "starter" in this game. I've more detailing products, I could set up a shop. I've always hand washed / polished / waxed my cars myself using all the correct methods (as so far as possible!).

However with all that care, I think most would agree it's virtually impossible to avoid picking up minor marks. The bird crap marks are a real annoyance as there's not much you can do to avoid it! If the sh1t is left on the car in the sun for any length of time it does leave marks.

The one thing missing in my "armoury" is a DA - for those occasions when you think "ahhh that should polish out"... When I know for a fact that it definitely will not polish out by hand at least!

ianobrien

I was kinda in the same boat, always did everything by hand and I finally bit the bullet and got a DA. I got the Argos one that was discussed here and got the supplies from Detailing Shed.

I did find a panel to practice on and my first attempt is here, along with the pads, polishes, etc.To be honest, I don't have the time to actually do a car yet, but first on the list would be Da's Black Octavia.

To be honest, I'm stilla total noob when it comes to a DA and I'd listen to the likes of Curran, Vectra & FN for advice.

Edit - I found the practice most beneficial, and if you've any cop on it's kinda hard to get it wrong......

Foxhole Norman

Be wary that if you go polishing a car with a Coating you will cut off the coating on the area you are polishing if done long enough!

JoeA3

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Be wary that if you go polishing a car with a Coating you will cut off the coating on the area you are polishing if done long enough!

Yeah, not too bothered about that tbh.

Curran

JoeA3 wrote: »

Questions:
- I'm reasonably handy but I've never used a machine polisher of any kind. Will I regret it? I believe a DA is fairly idiot proof? Is there a chance I'll make things worse?

Not unless you drop the machine onto the paintwork! :P
As with anything, there is a certain amount of risk involved, but it is pretty minimal - if you do your research and take on advice, and you are pretty handy; the risk of damage, is less than 1%

JoeA3 wrote: »

- how much effort would be required to do minor touch ups with a DA? Such as the bird crap etching on my bonnet? I'm guessing if it's not fixed in 5 minutes it never will be? I don't envisage needing to go over the entire car. My thinking is that this would be strictly for occasional localised issues that hand polishing can't rectify.

It depends, but as you say, if you arent seeing results, or at least an improvement after spending 5-10 mins on that area; you are doing something wrong, or its not one for the DA to fix.

JoeA3 wrote: »

- where's the best place to buy one? I assume I'd need a bunch of polishes and pads too. Ideally a "starter kit" including all that gear with the DA would be the way to go?

Ummmm :P
Yes, having the option of a few pads and polishes of differing cutting ability is the basic starting point. I generally recommend 3 pads, heavy, medium and fine grade, and then a few polishes to go with that. The Chemical Guys Sample polish pack would be an ideal starting point, given that you only intend to do localised areas. After you've gotten a feel for the machine and how each pad and polish act slightly differently, you may feel the urge to branch out into other pad and polish combo options.

JoeA3 wrote: »

Now I know I could bring the car (again) to a pro but where's the fun in that. I figure as well that a DA would be handy to have for years to come, a worthwhile investment perhaps. Fixing minor scratches etc... My wife's car is a total mess so I could practice on that and earn a few brownie points

Any advice welcome.

Sure you've no excuse if you have a practice car! Be warned....its addictive, and every little blemish will be an irritation in the back of your mind until you get a chance to remove it with your new machine! :P

JoeA3

Brilliant advice as always Curran And thanks everyone else too!

So, Curran, should I take a browse on detailingshed.com to see what you have, or is this something you'd have to package up specifically for me? I like your suggestion of getting the Chemical guys starter pack, as I really do only intend to use this for small localised jobs!

What kind of cost are we talking about, if I was to get the machine, the pads, the starter kit, etc? Be gentle

Curran

Joe, I think it would be best if you email them to see what they can do for you!