Polishing machine

MarkR

Are the ones shown here worth getting for someone who would not often use one?

http://www.lidl.ie/en/Offers.htm?action=showDetail&id=53659

Or would this be a bit rubbish?

MetzgerMeister

It's ok for applying a glossing polish or wax. When it comes to doing a paint correction you may aswell use a pancake!

MarkR

I won't be doing a paint correction anyway. It's just to try to speed up the polishing / waxing.

I presume those bonnets for them are pretty universal?

Curran

Yeah, definitely not for correction - for perspective, 120w versus 500w of an entry level Dual Action polisher, which is slightly underpowered, with the 880w or higher machines being where you'd want to be at with power!


Yeah, the bonnets are pretty universal - most motor factors would have similar!

Even for trying to speed up polishing and waxing, they aren't massive benefit - you end up having to go back over all the tight spaces anyways.
If you are feeling as though you need to be Popeye to buff off polishes or waxes, then chances are you applied them too heavily, or you are working with a pig of product. Thin layers are better and easier!
If you do purchase one, you'll need a 2nd bonnet - one for polish, the other for wax.

MAYOMICK

Bought one years ago and threw it away after one use.Quicker by hand.

huddlejonny

Curran wrote: »

Yeah, definitely not for correction - for perspective, 120w versus 500w of an entry level Dual Action polisher, which is slightly underpowered, with the 880w or higher machines being where you'd want to be at with power!


What about this one for light polishing in comparison to the Lidl one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PowerStorm-Polisher-Sander-PLATINUM-Pack/dp/B004WNPLNC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491216776&sr=8-3&keywords=car+polishing

I know its a few quid more but I am wondering if this is a good entry level polisher?

Curran

That's a rotary, and in the wrong hands has the potential to do a lot of damage. That said, if the potential risk is understood and you know not to be too heavy handed with it, then it is a machine capable of doing very good correction.
Entry level polishers for people with no experience are usually Dual Action machines.

F00t13f4n

I am looking to get a DAS6 Pro Plus machine polisher and have a few questions I hope the experts here can help with!

To give you an idea, I will be using it on a 151 Civic that I have been very careful with from new, so the paint is in pretty good condition. I will also use it on an 04 Citroen C5 and 09 Passat, both of which look like they've been cleaned with Brillo pads in the past.

I am currently looking at getting Hex Logic pads with it, along with some of their V range polishes. I have some 50Cal Penta Wax, King of Gloss and Fusso to apply after the polish / correction too.

On to my questions:
Are the Hex Logic pads suitable for these paint types, or would there be better available?
I wouldn't expect to do more than 1 car in any session! How many of each of the different pad types will I need to do that car?
Will the waxes & KoG have to be applied by hand anyway?

Thanks in advance for any advice / help!

MetzgerMeister

I now have the DAS6 Pro+ that I got from Detailing Shed. It's easily the best machine I have ever used. It fits into your hands very comfortably and is a lovely machine to use. The older machines were big and wide whereas the Pro+ has a proper handle where the button is so makes it much easier to hold and move.

I was a long-time lover of Hexlogic pads and while they are good, I actually now prefer the Lake Country pads. They are easier to use and clean and I find they stay firmer longer compared to Hexlogic. For hard paints (BMW, Mercedes) I use the LC cutting pad with Menzerna FG300/FG400 for cutting and 3500 with LC finishing pad for jewelling. For softer paints (Mazda, Honda etc.) I use the same pads but swap to Chemical Guys V range. I use V34, V36 and V38 depending on the paint condition.

The CarPro pads are also good but unless you know what you are doing and have quite a bit of experience under your belt, stay away from their Flash pad. It's very hard and isn't for a beginner even with a dual action polisher.

Curran will be able to advise you more on what pads to choose for the cars you're working on but for the main part, the pads stay the same for me, I just switch the polishes.

Also, try to get isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to give the paint a clean-down after washing in order to ensure all polish residue is removed therefore giving your sealants the best possible surface to bond to. CarPro Eraser is a good product for this.

Curran

Yes the Hex Logic pads will be fine.
Correction on the Honda will be easy, less so on the Citroen, and less so again on the VW, so you will need to use pads accordingly. A medium cut pad and polish may be enough on the Honda but wont put a dent in the VW work that needs to be done.

Pads should last a few cars; provided you keep away from sharp edges and wash them out when they get clogged.

You can apply waxes by machine, but its easier by hand - two thin layers is better than one lashed on!

F00t13f4n

Thanks for the advice Curran and MetzgerMeister - fantastic as always!

My cars are nowhere near as bad as the one in this video (from 10m45s on) and I'm not sure they'll come up as well, but I'm looking forward to trying!!

MarkR

I'm looking to get a dual action one now, and current recommendations? Buying online from anywhere is fine.

Curran

The DAS6 and the DAS6PRO are the go to machines for 1st time users. The Pro being 880w versus the slightly underpowered 500w. That's not tonly say the DAS6 isn't capable; it is, but requires and extra set or twould to get same results when doing heavy correction.

rebel.ranter

Curran wrote: »

The DAS6 and the DAS6PRO are the go to machines for 1st time users. The Pro being 880w versus the slightly underpowered 500w. That's not tonly say the DAS6 isn't capable; it is, but requires and extra set or twould to get same results when doing heavy correction.

What about so,done stepping up from a DAS6PRO? I find it very good but just wondering what would be better? Why would another DA polisher be better than DAS6PRO? Weight?

Curran

The DAS6Pro+ is the step up from the Pro - its got a larger throw and forced rotation; wont bog down under pressure, giving more cutting ability. The Pro+ would be closer to rotary in performance (the rate of correction you can do in time) but while still keeping the relatively 'safe to use' aspect.

There are limitations to it though; the larger throw means you cant use smaller backing plates/pads, so cant get into the tighter areas....the Pro+ is a very good machine, but if you wanted to cover all bases, then you'd need a mini polisher also; something along the lines of the Shinemate EP803

Paying for the premium models, versus the DAS6Pro+, the likes of Rupes and Flex, you are paying for weight saving, slightly smoother operation and quieter machines...not that they are vastly more capable. But if you were using one day in day out, they are very nice to haves!