UDM for first purchase...feedback requested

LaTuFu · 04-03-08, 11:12

I've been lurking and reading many, many threads about the pros and cons of the UDM, PC, Flex, and various other machines.

I'll be purchasing a "starter" kit at some point in the next few weeks. I'm leaning towards the UDM as my machine of choice. Here are the reasons why. I am looking for your thoughts and comments, based on your experiences.

I am a car enthusiast with approx. 20 years of experience as a hobbyist. I would consider myself an intermediate to advanced skill level car care person. The one area of my detailing experience I've never developed has been machine polishing. I have tried the "low end" polishers (AutoZone, Craftsmen type machines) in the past and wasn't impressed, for obvious reasons. Because of this, I've stuck to my hand polishing methods. A friend recently showed me the results he obtains with his PC, and I've been swayed, to say the least.

I narrowed down my choices of machine to the Flex and the UDM. I choose the UDM for three main reasons:
1. For the cost of the Flex alone, I can get a well equipped "starter" kit with the UDM.
2. The UDM seems to be a well accepted entry level machine, that will still be useful to me even if I elect to "upgrade" to the Flex or a rotary later.
3. I have a brand new car. My current needs and goals are to maintain the "new" condition of the paint. I don't have to restore an older paint or repair marks.

topnotch · 04-03-08, 12:16

You should be ok with the UDM. Like you said once you want to get into tru paint correction you will probably lean towards a rotary or upgrade to the Flex. As I responded in a previous post for total paint correction I still would choose my rotary over a Flex. Just to make sure things are perfect I use the UDM to follow-up my work.
Some may not agree with me and think the Flex is the only machine you need but I personally prefer my Hitachi.

Club Flex people please dont hate me

LaTuFu · 04-03-08, 12:20

Thanks! I like your choice in cars, too. MKV GTI or Jetta in your Av?

SuperBee364 · 04-03-08, 01:19

Wow, that's a tough decision. If money is no object, I'd opt for the Flex. Especially considering that the Flex gets you closer to the correcting power of a rotary. The UDM is a good machine, too, though.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but I honestly don't think that learning how to polish with a DA machine really preps you that well for using a rotary, and eventually you *are* going to want to use a rotary. You might well consider watching every rotary training video you can find (there's alot of them on youtube), as well as reading every post/article you can find about starting out with a rotary, and just start out with a rotary. As long as you educate yourself and follow every safety precaution, you'll be fine. There is a ton of good info out there about learning the rotary. Watching/learning from an Autopian would be the best way to learn.

Many people will disagree with what I've said, though. And it is true that rotaries can screw up your car in a *hurry*. It is a dangerous tool that can cause bodily harm, damage to your car, etc. But if you're serious about detailing, there's no substitute for one, either.

No matter when you decide to take up the rotary, just make sure you have read every piece of information you can find on it. Twice.

Denzil · 04-03-08, 01:46

While Supe suggests the rotary for your first machine, I will not beg to differ. But I will say that for me, it's better to go over a car with my final polish on a PC rather than a rotary. Just my 2 cents...

topnotch · 04-03-08, 02:08

I have a 07 GLI

LaTuFu · 04-03-08, 02:16

Very nice. I just sold my '05 GLI and bought a '08 Passat Wagon. Broke my heart to get rid of the GLI, but the wagon has been a lot more fun than I thought it would be.