HD Polisher Video Review - Garry Dean - Tampa, FL - Premium Custom Detailing

[C. Charles Hahn]

Brian, you`ve got me scared now... UPS is supposed to be delivering mine tomorrow.



Is this one exhibiting the same symptoms as the first one you had, or is something else/different wrong with it?

Well, I received my HD Polisher today and tested it.... and the unit I got is like a FREIGHT TRAIN all the way up the dial!



Feels significantly less solid in my hands than my PC/G100 or G110v2, and it doesn`t run anywhere near as smooth, but it does have a ridiculous ton of power. The gear drive and bearing sound similar to my Harbor Freight spare rotary (rough casting) and the spindle assembly is of a lower quality casting as well, but it works. I may tear it down and see if greasing the gears/bearing/etc. smooth it out at all.



The first thing I did was take the cheap generic backing plate off and replace it with one of my Meguiar`s plates, and discovered it`s much harder to get the pad wrench into the bell housing. This unit was not designed for quick plate changes on the fly, that`s for sure.



Interestingly though, the counterweight/bearing/spindle assembly internals are a direct clone of the Porter Cable parts -- to the extent that I`m pretty sure the parts would be interchangeable.

[imported_RZJZA80]

Did you experience any of the other users documented problems? How did it perform while using it? How was the sound level?

[Volki]

Did you experience any of the other users documented problems? How did it perform while using it? How was the sound level?

Received my 3D Polisher last week and used it for the first time yesterday. Worked great, considerably more power than the PCXP, and Meguiars G110. It is a little louder and gets a little warm, but other than that it worked great. Great feel in the hands, best of all the DA`s in my opinion.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Did you experience any of the other users documented problems? How did it perform while using it? How was the sound level?

I only used it to polish out a single panel so far, and I didn`t notice any problems other than that the gear drive/housing had a slight rattle that sounded like loose tolerances in the casting/machining. Like I said, I`ll be tearing it down to grease everything as a preventative measure before I even use it again. The sound level was not intolerable, but there was a noticeable whine that is different than any of my other polishers. I would say that aspect was unremarkable on my particular unit.



The most noticeable thing about it was that it seems to generate a lot faster rotation than my other units, even under a bit of pressure. That does come at the cost of a higher level of vibration feedback through the hands, but I can`t really pass judgement on that aspect until I do an extended buffing session with it. I also suspect greasing it may smooth that out a bit, we`ll see. I will shoot a video of the tear-down and lubrication process when I do it to help others out who want to do the same thing.

[imported_RZJZA80]

Keep us posted on your findings and results, thanks for your help!

[derek37]

Thanks Charlie.

[Bunky]

Thanks for the report Charlie.

[SSizzlin']

Sounds like you got a powerful unit, Charlie! Yes, the HD polisher has a ton of power, but the more I`ve used it with meg`s MF pads(and Meg`s BP), I`ve noticed it heats up the pad pretty good, therefore, drying out the polish quickly. Almost too quick. It`s almost like I don`t need to blow out the pad after polishing a section. I wouldn`t think this is a good thing, though.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Sounds like you got a powerful unit, Charlie! Yes, the HD polisher has a ton of power, but the more I`ve used it with meg`s MF pads(and Meg`s BP), I`ve noticed it heats up the pad pretty good, therefore, drying out the polish quickly. Almost too quick. It`s almost like I don`t need to blow out the pad after polishing a section. I wouldn`t think this is a good thing, though.

Yeah, Mark, mine appears to be a good one; luckily I`m not having the power switch issues you reported with yours either.



I do concur about it heating up pretty good, though. I was talking to Garry today about that exact issue, and he said the heat is slowly destroying the middle of his backing plate (the one that came with the machine). I haven`t noticed that being a problem with my W67DA so far, but I won`t be mounting the BPs Kevin Brown customized for me on it until I get the heat issue sorted out.



Monday I`m going to shoot the video of the tear down and lubrication process for the gear case; I am pretty much positive that`s where all the heat is coming from, since the body of the polisher with the armature/motor stays completely cool during use even at full throttle. To me that indicates there are no problems with the wiring or the windings in the motor being inadequate, the issue is a mechanical one.

[David Fermani]

Mark (help me understand this better) -



You`re saying the due to the heat of the polisher, that heat is being trasferred though the plate & pad and causing your polishing compound to prematurely dry? Has this been happening on multiple vehicles and what product is being used?



And also, if this polishing compound is actually drying into the pad, I also don`t understand how it wouldn`t create even more of a need to blow/clean your pads (product/dust overload)?

[SSizzlin']

Mark (help me understand this better) -



You`re saying the due to the heat of the polisher, that heat is being trasferred though the plate & pad and causing your polishing compound to prematurely dry? Has this been happening on multiple vehicles and what product is being used?

David, that`s exactly what I`m saying. It`s happened every time I`ve used it. M105/D300

And also, if this polishing compound is actually drying into the pad, I also don`t understand how it wouldn`t create even more of a need to blow/clean your pads (product/dust overload)?

After finishing a section, I`m used to seeing the fibers matted down much more. Much more polish noticeable on the face of the pad. With the HD polisher, after a section, all I see is pink fibers. I almost feel like I`m kindy dry buffing. Don`t get me wrong, the fibers are not completely dry, there`s just no left over product.

[SSizzlin']

Picked up my replacement 3D da today from ups. Took it from the box and tested it. Placed back into the carrying case. Will be calling 3D in the morning.

LOL!! 2 for 2.



Hell, 1 out of 3 I tried worked well.



Very good odds here. :dizzy:

[Volki]

Used my HD 3D polisher today...worked great! Awesome power! Used it to polish the front bumper, front hood, side mirrors, and front fenders....got her ready for the XPel Ultimate clear bra install today. :heelclick

[CAdetailer]

I`ve been thinking about getting one but with the issues I`m not too hype on dropping the coin if they don`t stand behind their product and just make excuses or play the semantics game if there is an issue.



So out of those who have bought this product who has had issues and has 3D stood behind it, replacing it with ones that work like they should (easy to stop rotating on 1 & lots of pressure required to stop rotation on speed 5/6)?



Thanks

[Garry Dean]

I`ve been thinking about getting one but with the issues I`m not too hype on dropping the coin if they don`t stand behind their product and just make excuses or play the semantics game if there is an issue.



So out of those who have bought this product who has had issues and has 3D stood behind it, replacing it with ones that work like they should (easy to stop rotating on 1 & lots of pressure required to stop rotation on speed 5/6)?



Thanks

I can only speak from my own personal experience with mine... I got mine about 2 months ago and have had no real issues with it and I use it probably 3 times a week. Its a beast for power, but it gets a bit heated with prolonged use.



I do not believe that 3D would not take care of defective units. IME its just not how the company works. Just my .02.