Ultimate Detailing Machine Project

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by lecchilo

David, you say the new machine will improve over the PC in the vibration area... how much exactly, in your opinion? I usually use rotary and follow with Griot's garage Orbital sometimes... the other day I tried by buddy's PC with white 6.5" LC pad and OP... shook really badly and I gave up after going over a 2x2 area just 1 time...

There are a lot of factors that add up to the PC vibrating badly. The DA head design is one. Bearings also play into the problem, as does the weight and case material.

The UDM has a much better DA head and the highest quality bearings we could find. We made the bell housing (DA head housing) heavier so it would dampen more vibes. Then we coated the entire housing with a rubber film to dampen vibes even more.

Is the machine vibration free? No way. However, it is vastly better than the PC.

[Picus]

Yes, I want to test.

[lecchilo]

Originally Posted by DavidB

There are a lot of factors that add up to the PC vibrating badly. The DA head design is one. Bearings also play into the problem, as does the weight and case material.

The UDM has a much better DA head and the highest quality bearings we could find. We made the bell housing (DA head housing) heavier so it would dampen more vibes. Then we coated the entire housing with a rubber film to dampen vibes even more.

Is the machine vibration free? No way. However, it is vastly better than the PC.

Gotcha... how about compared to the Griot's RO? I just want to get an idea of how much this machine will vibrate and whether or not I'll be getting one... Griot's IMO is very nice and doesn't vibrate "too much", so a little more vibration than Griot's is fine.... but the PC is just horrible

[lecchilo]

Originally Posted by Picus

Yes, I want to test.

+1 me too haha

[Jmiller07]

If you do need testers I would love to be one because I was about to buy a PC , and if I did I would end up buying this in the long run anyway. It would just save me the cost of the PC and Pads....

[blackcaraddict]

Originally Posted by lecchilo

but the PC is just horrible

If you have strong hands vibration is not a big deal at all. Alot of people complain about this but I have found it to be quite managable.

The key to the UDM's success will be swirl removal ability. Quite simply, if it removes swirls better than the PC, then it will sell. This will only be determined by initial user use and feedback.

I love my PC, but it takes too long to do serious paint correction. If this UDM cuts it by 20%, 25% or more, I would certainly look into it. If not, and its just more user friendly, then I will buy a rotary.

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by blackcaraddict

The key to the UDM's success will be swirl removal ability. Quite simply, if it removes swirls better than the PC, then it will sell...

I love my PC, but it takes too long to do serious paint correction.

No DA will match a rotary for serious paint correction. It can't. By the same token, no rotary can match a good DA on final finish. Both machines have their limitations.

The secret to making our new DA meet expectations will be proper pads, polish and training. I'm working like a son-of-a-gun to find the right pad material and pad design for every type of paint and situation. I'm working with some new Swisstex foams that I think do a great job removing swirl marks and fine scratches using a DA.

I'm not sure how I will do it just yet, but I will probably set up a lab to test pad/polish combinations so I can (from the polisher manufacturer point of view) recommend pad and polish combinations for various paints and correction situations.

[sspeer]

Any info on the UDM and pad durability? The extra amps and the much greater pressure-handling can't be good for pads

I tore up an orange pad last week (foam being destroyed around the velcro) from using the PC at 5.5 - 6 on a Jeep.

[DavidB]

Originally Posted by sspeer

Any info on the UDM and pad durability? The extra amps and the much greater pressure-handling can't be good for pads

I tore up an orange pad last week (foam being destroyed around the velcro) from using the PC at 5.5 - 6 on a Jeep.

Working directly with foam manufacturers to find the best foam/glue/Velcro combinations. I will produce a white paper on the subject when we're finished.

[n2_space]

Can't wait! It's on my list of things to buy this summer

[Picus]

Hrmmmm, no DA can match a rotary on final finish? I think that depends a lot of the paint. I use the PC to finish occasionally, but 106ff via rotary on average to hard paint tends to finish down cleaner than via PC, imo.

[99blackSE]

Doh I just bought a PC a month ago

Sounds interesting! Might have to upgrade come mid summer, pending the bank account of course.