I have really bad back/shoulders... would a PC work better than hand? never used one!

R

Rave'nGTi

New member
Is it easier on the joints and stuff than polishing and waxing by hand?



How about results? Do things look better when you use a PC (or similar)?



I was looking into getting some blackfire and it says it looks/works better when used with a PC.. plus you can get the kit with the PC included.



I've never ever ever used an orbital of any kind though!! Mostly because I'm afraid that I'm going to screw up my paint :( I don't have a garage to work in... so what if a bug or chunk of sand blows under the pad while I'm waxing and mars the paint!! Or I'm scared I'll leave swirl marks or something. I know they say you'd have to be a real moron to screw something up with a PC but call me paranoid.... especially with a brand new 40k car!
 
Rave'nGTi,



I have had much more consistent results, especially when polishing, since I purchased a PC. I could never get the same consitent results by hand.



To me, a PC is much easier than polishing by hand. I would say to get one.



About having no garage or covered area to work in, I would try to find a self serve car wash bay or other covered area that you could 'borrow' for the day. Most of the products that one would use on their paint should be applied in the shade and not in direct sunlight.



Anyone else can chime in on this one-



Cheers,

My Black 7 Series
 
I was in your situation with being afraid to use a pc. I've always done detailing by hand, and have never used a buffer. After finding this site I found myself wanting to do (and spend, but that's another story) more. I recently purchased red Honda Civic for my daughter. I was amazed how well the paint came out after using a deep cleaner with a pc on the paint. I never could have gotten the results by hand I got with the pc. The pc is very easy to use, no swirls, no burns, no nothing. There were stains from birdsh*t that I went over and over trying to get out, I never did, I put pressure on the pc and was using very abrasive treatments. The pc did not in anyway damage the paint. The car almost glows it looks so good.



Hope this helps.



:xyxthumbs :xyxthumbs
 
Rave'nGTi - I had rather severe shoulder problems and bicep tendonitis (sp?). Couldn't even lift a cup of coffee. If not for using the PC, I couldn't have detailed at all. It's a very different motion than using products by hand and the difference was just what I needed. Now I still use machines whenever possible just to help prevent such problems.



As others have said, there's NOTHING to be worried about. The PC won't mess up your car unless you somehow drop it on it.
 
Accumulator said:
Rave'nGTi - I had rather severe shoulder problems and bicep tendonitis (sp?). Couldn't even lift a cup of coffee. If not for using the PC, I couldn't have detailed at all. It's a very different motion than using products by hand and the difference was just what I needed. Now I still use machines whenever possible just to help prevent such problems.



As others have said, there's NOTHING to be worried about. The PC won't mess up your car unless you somehow drop it on it.
Click to expand...



Thats great! I always dreaded any detail work on the car, even washing, because I have severe tendonitis/impingement in both shoulders as well as arthritis in my wrist/hand and finger joints and a weak back... All this and I'm only 27 :( Bad genes I guess.



Thanks all for your help and insight! I'll be ordering the 7424 plus kit (with the backing plate and 6" counterweight) from coastal and the pad kit from CMA here soon. I can always practice on my boyfriends truck... its dented and scratched and faded so he doesnt much care lol.



thanks again!
 
Rave'nGTi- Glad to be of assistance. I even use the PC to apply paste wax. I do, however, find machine REMOVAL to be imperfect at best. Still gotta follow up by hand.



Now I guess I oughta encourage you to find some exercise regimen to help compensate for/improve your condition. I assume you've been checked out by a knowledgeable MD who specializes in your issues...Don't mean to lecture/rant, but those who know me from the Detailing the Man board know I'm a bit of a fitness nut. That started when I decided I was going downhill fast and was gonna have to do something or else. You're too young to throw in the towel. Sorry to dump the unsolicited advice on you; end of rant :o
 
One bit of advice... When you start out, don't go any further than the cutting pad with your PC. It depends on the paint, but on most car's I've done, the cutting pad and #1 will usually get out pretty nasty swirls.



The only reason I say this is because I recently tried out the wool pad and boy, that thing can haze lol. Just get comfortable with the regular pads before you move up to wool and #1 for instance. I saw that haze and it scared me. (I got it out though :))
 
=D I'm actually on at home phys therapy for my shoulders... but repetative movements like washing/waxing still hit me hard :(



Magellan, I'm not expecting the new car to have any swirls in it so I plan on using the white and grey/black pads only unless I absolutely have to use the yellow one... but I doubt it.



thanks again guys!
 
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