Need help deciding which kit to buy for my husband

A

autowife

New member
My husband bought a Honda S2000 last month and has been borrowing the company's orbital polisher on the weekends to keep it looking good. I'd really like to buy him his own for Christmas, but am not sure what to get, since I know NOTHING about this sort of thing and I want it to be a surprise, so I can't go and ask him what I should buy! So, I'm hoping to find some help here!



This page has 3 different "kits" available: Ultimate Detailing Machine, Porter Cable 7424 Car Polisher, Car Polish



I was leaning towards the Sonus SFX Detailing Machine one that's $219.99 on sale. Would that have everything he'd need (at least to get started)? Or is it better to buy things separately rather than a kit, or buy the kit and buy a few more things to make it more complete?



I'm really hoping someone is willing to help me out as I really want to surprise my husband!



Thanks!!
 
autowife said:
My husband bought a Honda S2000 last month and has been borrowing the company's orbital polisher on the weekends to keep it looking good. I'd really like to buy him his own for Christmas, but am not sure what to get, since I know NOTHING about this sort of thing and I want it to be a surprise, so I can't go and ask him what I should buy! So, I'm hoping to find some help here!



This page has 3 different "kits" available: Ultimate Detailing Machine, Porter Cable 7424 Car Polisher, Car Polish



I was leaning towards the Sonus SFX Detailing Machine one that's $219.99 on sale. Would that have everything he'd need (at least to get started)? Or is it better to buy things separately rather than a kit, or buy the kit and buy a few more things to make it more complete?



I'm really hoping someone is willing to help me out as I really want to surprise my husband!



Thanks!!
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Since no one else seems willing to help, I would say that your husband should be very happy with the kit that you are leaning towards. That should provide what he needs to get a good start on this detailing obsession/compulsion that most people on this site seem to have. Good luck!
 
Is there any chance you might be able to peak at what machine he is is borrowing from work? The reason I ask is there are two different types of machines (DA Polishers and Rotaries) and you will probably want to get him one of the same type. All you need to do is spy the manufacture and that should provide enough info to clue people here in on what kind of machine he is using.



For DA machines the Flex seem to be a very popular choice. The UMD is also used by a lot of people and would probably be the better choice over a PC 7424 as they are simular machines, but the UMD is more powerful.



chris
 
cshorey said:
Is there any chance you might be able to peak at what machine he is is borrowing from work? The reason I ask is there are two different types of machines (DA Polishers and Rotaries) and you will probably want to get him one of the same type. All you need to do is spy the manufacture and that should provide enough info to clue people here in on what kind of machine he is using.
Click to expand...



Best advice yet
 
cshorey said:
Is there any chance you might be able to peak at what machine he is is borrowing from work? The reason I ask is there are two different types of machines (DA Polishers and Rotaries) and you will probably want to get him one of the same type. All you need to do is spy the manufacture and that should provide enough info to clue people here in on what kind of machine he is using.



For DA machines the Flex seem to be a very popular choice. The UMD is also used by a lot of people and would probably be the better choice over a PC 7424 as they are simular machines, but the UMD is more powerful.



chris
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It is a Porter Cable, has a big round head, which maybe they all do, I just don't know. If it was a sewing machine I could tell you more!



Thanks to everyone for their advice thus far, I really appreciate it! Just a personal thing, but I'd really like to get him something, rather than just a gift card, so he has something to open and start playing with right away!



Again, thanks for your help it really is very much appreciated!
 
A wife that wants to support her husband's detailing habit... :2thumbs: :thx



Can you clone yourself, or teach other wives, lovers and significant others? :lol



I would go with the gift certificate and let him choose what he wants.. that way, it's the right size and color!
 
Unfortunately the different kinds of machines all look kinda similar.

Here are some reference images showing some of the differences.



DA polisher:

autopia_1977_7367292




Rotary:

autogeek_1976_2208903




If you were sure he was using a PC, then he should be happy with any of the current DA machines on the market. (I preface this as I haven't seen a PC rotory, but there probably is one and someone can correct my bad assumption)



I am fairly new to detailing and am still learning. I a bought a PC 7424, but from hang on this board for some time and have been following the machines. If I was to buy today, it would be a hard choice between a Flex and a UMD. With my inexperience I would probably lean to the UMD, but if I was more experienced I would defiantly get a Flex.



chris
 
The kit you're looking at is a great start for any fellow with a new S2000. Everything in the kit is a real quality product so you'll have bought him the best. The one year replacement warranty is a wonderful feature also.

As time goes on and his knowledge base increases, he'll be able to pick up extra pads and products to continue on with the buffer so the gift will continue to be well appreciated forever.

Heck, I'll go out on a limb here and predict that within a few days, you'll be the recipient of a lovely candlelight dinner with champagne and roses.

-John C.
 
my gf freaks out when i get more detailing stuff. however, she is happy when she gets her car detailed/cleaned
 
Here's a better question...What is your budget? That will probably get you a better response. I personly bought the UDM machine with the PRO "Lake Country PAD KIT". The kit comes with pretty much every kind of pad he will need.

Ultimate Detailing Machine Pro Kit with FREE BONUS!

Then I bought a good Polishing Compound (Menzerna Power Gloss Compound) which has a heavy cut and will remove the really bad swirls, and a light finishing polish (Menzerna 106ff Nano Polish). I then got a sealant and a paste wax or you could buy him the Ultima Paint Guard Plus. You see it all depends on the budget:nervous2:



If you just want to get him the machine and some pads to go with it, I highly recommend the kit above. At least he will have everything he needs to do a variety of details, and he can buy his own Polishes later or use what he already has. Good Luck!
 
Conan777 said:
Here's a better question...What is your budget? That will probably get you a better response. I personly bought the UDM machine with the PRO "Lake Country PAD KIT". The kit comes with pretty much every kind of pad he will need.

Ultimate Detailing Machine Pro Kit with FREE BONUS!

Then I bought a good Polishing Compound (Menzerna Power Gloss Compound) which has a heavy cut and will remove the really bad swirls, and a light finishing polish (Menzerna 106ff Nano Polish). I then got a sealant and a paste wax or you could buy him the Ultima Paint Guard Plus. You see it all depends on the budget:nervous2:



If you just want to get him the machine and some pads to go with it, I highly recommend the kit above. At least he will have everything he needs to do a variety of details, and he can buy his own Polishes later or use what he already has. Good Luck!
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Very good question. How much you can spend improves the advice posters can give you.



If it is in your budget, I have to believe your husband would absolutely LOOOOVE it if he got a Flex. Don't get me wrong, he will by all means be very, very happy with a Porter Cable or a UDM but if he got the Flex.....I think you can expect jewlry, roses, and an amazing increased willingness to take on the honey-do list in the near future. It is that nice of a machine. I bought my UDM two months ago and it does a fine job. However, I can say without a doubt, had I known then what I know now, I would have bought a Flex.



And what others have said, you are a wonderful wife. You wouldn't by chance have any unmarried sisters in the Louisville, KY area who are like you and understand the illogical and unreasonable need for men to keep their cars in pristine shape would you????:cooleek:
 
You are all so great to help me out with this!



As far as being an understanding wife, he's had a few crappy months at work (which was why I gave in to the car in the first place) so I'm just trying to help him out some more with de-stressing from work. Also, last Christmas he had Santa get me my dream embroidery machine, so I want to do something a little nicer than I normally might for him this year! As far as budget, I'm really okay with whatever, I just want to get him the best I can (well, I mean I don't want to spend a thousand dollars, but up to $500 or so would be fine).



Is a Flex a brand name or a type of polisher? Again, I'm clueless!



Thanks again, also, for all your help!! I can't wait to see his face Christmas morning!!
 
bert31 said:
Very good question. How much you can spend improves the advice posters can give you.



If it is in your budget, I have to believe your husband would absolutely LOOOOVE it if he got a Flex. Don't get me wrong, he will by all means be very, very happy with a Porter Cable or a UDM but if he got the Flex.....I think you can expect jewlry, roses, and an amazing increased willingness to take on the honey-do list in the near future. It is that nice of a machine. I bought my UDM two months ago and it does a fine job. However, I can say without a doubt, had I known then what I know now, I would have bought a Flex.



And what others have said, you are a wonderful wife. You wouldn't by chance have any unmarried sisters in the Louisville, KY area who are like you and understand the illogical and unreasonable need for men to keep their cars in pristine shape would you????:cooleek:
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Forgot to add, but my baby sister is single, though we live way out in Idaho! She did, however, think that this was a great gift idea for my husband!
 
autowife said:
Forgot to add, but my baby sister is single, though we live way out in Idaho! She did, however, think that this was a great gift idea for my husband!
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Dang it!!!!:lol





The link above from WeekendWarrior is the Flex machine everyone is talking about. That link is to Autogeek.com who just started selling the Flex recently however, shipments will not go out till January. Another online retailer is Detailed Image.



Flex XC 3401 VRG - Detailed Image



According to their website, it appears they have it in stock. However, I would call just in case, their number is 518-429-8435.
 
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