Do most autopia members use their hands exclusively?

Just started using my PC last week and it saved my arm! Takes a little getting used to but it's worth it. Polished and a coat of wax in about half the time it used to take by hand.
 
For surface prep of a decent finish it is hard to beat a PC. Save the hands for specific problem spots ( deeper blemishes) and applying protectants, even though last weekend I applied EX (Poorboy's sealant) with PC with excellent results and time / hand-wrist savings.
 
Surprise! Most Autopians do NOT apply use hands they use a Porter Cable random orbital polisher...PC.
 
I do everything I possibly can with the PC . . .



A) I'm lazy.



and



2) Never pass up the chance to play with power tools.



:D



Tort
 
I just apply the wax and buff by hand. It seems like a lot less trouble than getting out the pc and having to clean up the pad, put up the drop cord, etc. later. Plus there are always small areas you can't get with the PC. It doesn't take that much work to rub wax on...and as far as buffing it off no more trouble than using quick detail or something.



Now for getting out swirls, etc. of course I would use the PC.
 
you can wax with the pc also, it justs wastes more product. I use #20 and aio by machine b4, and they do a great job of cleaning and prepping for the final sealant.
 
I just finished doing a friend's 2001 A6 4.2 (silver). I did it ALL by machine (except for the nooks and crannies). PI-III FCRC/PI-III MG/1Z green/1Z Burgundy/Autoglym SRP/PUPP/Meg's #16. All on by Cyclo, all but the FCRC were also removed by Cyclo (using MF bonnets). Made a BIG job manageable, almost fun.



Paste wax by machine?! Yep, Meg's #16 on/off by machine is about as easy as it gets. *I* find it easier than using P21S/Souveran by hand, for instance. But then *I* find the Cyclo a LOT more user-friendly than the PC.



BTW, this is one of those Audi's with such HARD paint that you wonder how it got swirled/scratched in the first place. Even with all the polishing (I'm talking MULTIPLE passes with the FCRC/cutting pad, REALLY leaning on it), it still has that "see

'em in the right light" marring. The owner won't care, and there's still plenty of clear, so <shrug> . I'll be lucky if the owner notices that I "waxed" the car while I had it :rolleyes: Pix? No way, I'm not spending another SECOND on the thing ;)
 
I've tried using many different "machines" for application/removal of various products over the years. The results were less than satisfying. So for the last 18 or so years I've relied on my hands for every phase of detailing. I must admit, however, I have not used the famous "PC" that so many autopians rant and rave about :bow . And though I swore I would never touch my cars with another "machine" , I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I never used the "RIGHT machine" in the first place :o . So I guess I'll just have to buy a PC and find out!
 
slvrshadow94tt said:
I've tried using many different "machines" for application/removal of various products over the years. The results were less than satisfying. .. So I guess I'll just have to buy a PC and find out!
Click to expand...



Yeah, you really should give it a try. Much as I prefer the Cyclo, yesterday I used the PC to apply wax to Accumulatorette's A8. Applied the 3M Showcar Paste Wax (yes, paste) with a red Griot's pad, gave a quick wipe by hand with a YoSteve MF, then buffed it with the Cyclo using TOL's suede-style MF bonnets. VERY quick, VERY easy (MUCH more so than by hand, at least for me), and better results than I could've got by hand in the same amount of time. If the PC at "3" is moving at about 2,800-3,000 orbits per minute, I sure can't imagine duplicating THAT by hand when I'm applying wax. More orbits = better coverage, IMO, and "working the wax in" until it's almost gone seems to give results similar to "spit shining" leather goods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top