New to Detailing/Need Adivce on DA's

Z

ZackP

New member
Hi everyone!



I've always loved keeping my car clean, but recently after I bought an 07 Corvette I've become very serious about detailing in every aspect. After reading a ton on here I've realized that everything I've learned about washing cars is wrong and all I've been doing is creating swirls and scratches with dawn dish soap and an old rag. :mad1:



That being said, I've read as much as I can about properly washing a car, and now I'm ready to being learning the polishing and waxing part of it as well.



I'm pretty certain I will be using HD products, since everything I've read about their products has been nothing but positive.



My question is, What would be the best DA polisher be for a weekend warrior like myself? Also, what pads and backing plates would be most beneficial. Can a 6" DA also be used as a 3" DA? I've read a lot about quite a few different DA's, but I'm just not sure what is best. I really like what I've read about the RUPES but that may be overkill since I am not a professional.

If it matters I also have an 05 Jeep Wrangler and an 06 Honda Civic that I will be working on as well.



Thanks for this great forum and I look forward to learning as much as possible from all you professionals! :xyxthumbs
 
ZackP said:
Hi everyone!



I've always loved keeping my car clean, but recently after I bought an 07 Corvette I've become very serious about detailing in every aspect. After reading a ton on here I've realized that everything I've learned about washing cars is wrong and all I've been doing is creating swirls and scratches with dawn dish soap and an old rag. :mad1:



That being said, I've read as much as I can about properly washing a car, and now I'm ready to being learning the polishing and waxing part of it as well.



I'm pretty certain I will be using HD products, since everything I've read about their products has been nothing but positive.



My question is, What would be the best DA polisher be for a weekend warrior like myself? Also, what pads and backing plates would be most beneficial. Can a 6" DA also be used as a 3" DA? I've read a lot about quite a few different DA's, but I'm just not sure what is best. I really like what I've read about the RUPES but that may be overkill since I am not a professional.

If it matters I also have an 05 Jeep Wrangler and an 06 Honda Civic that I will be working on as well.



Thanks for this great forum and I look forward to learning as much as possible from all you professionals! :xyxthumbs
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Rupes is a nice unit, but overkill for you. Best unit and deal going right now is Harbor Frieght's DA, they have some pads, but ,may need to source some from other suppliers. It is a 6 inch and with mine, haven't found a way to move it down to a 3", not that I need to as I have a 2" air DA.

3D's new Cut, their HD Polish, the Uno, the Speed, all work great with a dual action.



:har:
 
I'd agree with Ron. Cut your teeth on the $50 HF unit and upgrade when you find a need to do so.



Also, refine your weekly washing technique and select appropriate products. IME, that's 90% of the final result once you get the finish up to snuff ...



Welcome aboard, Zack !
 
ZackP- Welcome to Autopia!



I'd split the diff between the Rupes and HB and recommend that you get the Griot's Garage 6". FWIW, I have [can't remember how many] polishers, and I really like the GG unit.



Most people prefer to use 5.5" backing plates and pads with it, but it has enough oomph to work OK with 6-6.5" ones too.



That Vette has pretty hard clear, right? (Mine was a '00 and it was pretty hard.) Maybe the smaller plate/pads would be a good idea :think:



And yeah, you can easily convert it to use 3" or 4" pads by simply unscrewing the big backing plate and screwing on the smaller one (all use 5/16" threaded male stud, it's an industry standard so no worries there).



BUT...



pwaug said:
The black shroud just above the backing plate on the Groits is 3 3/8" so a 3" pad would be smaller than the shroud--it seems like the backing plate would have to be on an extension making the whole set up tippy, but I never tried it.
Click to expand...





EDIT: Hey, come to think of it, I haven't tried the 3" setup on that particular polisher either! So I better not just say "it'll work fine", huh?!? Oops... :o





Heh heh, as I think you're learning, this stuff *really* all boils down to learning how to wash without inducing marring. NOT. EASY. :grinno:
 
Welcome!!



+1 on Accumulators suggestion. IMO can't beat the Griots for the weekend detailer--more powerful than the other standard DAs and it has a lifetime warranty--wouldn't want to replace a DA after a few years if it had only been used 10-12 times per year. If you're not in a hurry Amazon and BJs at times have the Griots on sale for under $100. Detailers Domain (one of our sponsors) has nice packages with 5 or 10 5.5" pads and a 5" backing plate with not allot of other stuff you don't need.



You may as well make the switch to 5.5" pads now--you'll save enough on your first 6 pack of pads to buy a 5" backing plate and from there on you'll be saving $15 every six pack.



The black shroud just above the backing plate on the Groits is 3 3/8" so a 3" pad would be smaller than the shroud--it seems like the backing plate would have to be on an extension making the whole set up tippy, but I never tried it. So I just went with a 3.5" BP and 4" pads for tight areas and it has worked out fine--I figured this was safer for someone just starting out. Perhaps others with experience with the GG6 polisher and 3" pads will chime in as to how it works.



3D/HD, Buff & Shine and Uber pads all have recessed Velcro which gave me an added sense of security polishing around protruding objects as a beginner.



As someone new to machine polishing I've had nothing but great success with HD UNO, Polish, Speed and POXY--avoiding the problems I see posted on many forums from beginners using 105/205.
 
Thanks for the info guys! The GG looks pretty good from what I've read, and I do like the warranty.

Is it better to used the HD pads with the HD products? I just want to be sure I have the right stuff for the job!
 
[quote name='ZackP']Is it better to used the HD pads with the HD products?QUOTE]



Not necessarily--many different pads used by many different folks, however if I'm not mistaken HD products don't work as well with dimpled pads--best with flat pads.

I believe 3D/HD, Buff & Shine and Uber(from Detailers Domain) pads are all the same. You'll see allot of posts from those very happy with LC Hydrotec pads and it simplifies things in that there are only 3 different levels of aggresiveness--but apparently they don't last as long as other pads.
 
pwaug said:
..many different pads used by many different folks, however if I'm not mistaken HD products don't work as well with dimpled pads--best with flat pads..
Click to expand...



Yeah, you can use other brands of pads with 3D/HD stuff. Not that I'm trying to steer you away from spending money with them :grinno:



FWIW, the Orange Griot's Polishing Pad is *very* different from other Orange pads (others are "light cutting", not "polishing"). Decent "medium" pad, I like it a lot, and it wears like iron IME.



And IMO dimpled pads are simply *NOT* the way to go, period. Ever.
 
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