National Detroit XLB, anyone? anything?
- Thread starter highlife
- Start date
GearHead_1
Long Time Member
I have no personal experience with the product mentioned though I have spent quite a bit of time behind a pneumatic polisher while doing body work. My opinion is they are a bit over kill for the average detailer, the wrong tool for the job at hand. They are real air hogs and are pretty taxing on all but the best compressors. The compressors in the average guys home garage aren't up to the task of continually powering one for extended periods of time. The sustained rate on many of these are 13 cfm perhaps higher at 90 psi. So to be able to run one you need a compressor that's probably in the $1500 range or higher. The other side of this is that when compounding or polishing you can't really use the high rpm's these are capable of delivering. They work great when leveling bondo or removing material and other pre-paint activities, they're sanders. Sorry I couldn't tell you more on this model.
If you are just getting started into the detailing hobby I would suggest you look at an electric dual action, random orbital polisher. Actually there is a difference between random orbital and dual action machines but the terms are often used synonymously and is fine for this discussion. Some models to look at are of course the PorterCable (PC), Ultimated Detailing Machine (UDM) and Cyclo. You'll find a lot of information on those machines within the pages of DC. You will quickly see that the Porter Cable is the machine every other compares itself to. They're good machines and won't break most people's piggy banks. I would suggest you not spend much time looking at the 10 inch dual action polishers at most chain stores (usually run $50 or less). These are to be found everywhere, Sears, Home Depot, Target, WalMart, don't waste your time. They have the ability to spread wax but offer little when it comes to paint correction. Starting with a good dual action machine will give you a lot of experience if you decide to step up to a rotary polisher. A rotary will correct paint flaws much faster than a Dual Action Polisher but can also get the unfamiliar in trouble much more quickly too. I don't mean to scare you away from a rotary. I actually learned how to use a buffer with one of these machines but for spider webbing, swirls and light scratches a dual action will be all most will ever need.
It the bird residue has sat on the finish for an extended period of time it has no doubt etched the paint. If this is the case it's all a matter of picking the least aggressive compound that is capable of leveling the affected area. In my experience bird waste etching can be a little dicey. This stuff can really do a number on clear coat and by the time you get it smoothed out it can leave the clear coat pretty thin and that can be on the positive side. Approach it with caution. To match the tool you mention with a heavy compound will have you through the paint in short order.