Newbie looking for first polisher

S

SilverVRoom

New member
As the title says, I`m looking for my first polisher. I have always polished and waxed by hand (only 2-3 times a year). One main reason I am looking for a machine polisher is to correct my fiancee`s hood that was done by a shop but it came out dull and has seemes to become more dull as time passes on. Besides this one task, I will just be touching up other paint with polish and a twice a year or so waxing. I am looking to spend $20-$50. The two options that I have came up with are McGuire`s DA polisher system(~$40) (for use with the drill), and the HF Rotary Polisher (~$30). Which of these options do you guys recommend or is there another recommendation? Thanks
 
I would necessarily recommend either... But If I had to choose between the two I would go Meguiar`s DA Polisher System. A Rotary should not be used by a newbie on their own car and can take a while to getting used to. You can easily burn through your paint with a rotary in no time.

The Meguiar`s DA System can get ok results but takes a long time as you are using a drill for your power source. You can spend a little more and get a HFDual Action Polisher, but you`ll want to order quality pads as the ones they sell are junk. If you go that route you`ll end up spending around $100 for everything that you need but your results will be way above what you can achieve with the the Megs DA System.
 
I`ve achieved EXCELLENT results from using the DA Power System (DAPS). But it takes a long time. If money is an issue, save a bit more to get a "regular" size machine.

Another option, buy used. Autopia has Open Box Deals in which you can snag some really good deals.

Also, keep in mind pads and polishes. That will add to the overall cost.

Here`s what I did with the DAPS...

This is after Ultimate Compound on burgundy pad



After both Compound and Ultimate Polish

 
SilverVRoom, I see you are new to polishing, and you are thinking about the HF Rotary.
I started with this one

05caa2dfb954f51fdb5714f2655e127c.jpg

2361319fde3ca70760f4d2cd240242a8.jpg


I thought 30 bucks, great deal !
Let me say this about starting with a Rotary... Was the Hardest polishing session I have done yet.
Trying to Learn how to run a Rotary is much different than learning a DA. There where times I did`t know if I was
Running the Rotary or it was running me. Might I add,
I`m tall, quite strong from working hard all my life and that machine was Boss. Plus I had marks of every kind
On my paint, when I was done.
Took me a year, with a DA to repair what I thought at the time was a good job.

Do yourself a favor, get the DA even if you have to save,
Later, after trying and learning as much as possible from, forums, youtube, product reviews.
You`ll be glad you Got a DA, even a HF one.
Good Luck, and keep a postin`

:bigups



Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk
 
Paul & Old Pirate- Are you guys misspeaking or am I being dense (wouldn`t be the first time :o )? Don`t you mean "would NOT recommend either"?

Between the two I`d go Harbor Freight, but I`d rather save up for something better or buy used. Spend a few hours running a drill at awkward angles and you`ll probably understand why I`m not a fan of that system for anything more than infrequent spot-correction.

SilverVroom- Welcome to Autopia! Somebody might sell you a used Porter Cable really cheap, and while I consider them marginal, they`ll do the job with little 4" pads.
 
Accumulator, your right on the spelling on what I wrote, ( I think I`m more dense then ever :blink: ). The HF Rotary Polisher is a machine that I only recommend for someone who has handle rotary polishers before and are in a need of one to finish up on a job because their machine broke down. The yrs I was at CMA I seen alot of folks ( even detailers ) stop by and show the damaged they have done to their or customers paint from these machines. I would just up one`s dinero and get one from the Autopia Car Care site or thru Autogeek site. You will thank us and your cars paint will thank you also and you get to have a system that will last for many yrs.
 
I would not recommend either. Invest in a Porter Cable 7424XP. You can get one here by call Paul and asking if they have any open box specials or if you want to try used go on eBay or Craigslist. The Porter Cable is time tested and with microfiber pads able to remove most any defect.
 
I started with the same HF rotary very similar to the one above, except mine has a U shaped handle, 4 years ago and never had a problem using it. I started off using it at only around 600rpms because I was afraid of damaging the paint but now I`ve done plenty of paint correction including compounding out freshly painted panels wih rubbing compound at full speed (3k rpm) with a cutting pad and am very comfortable with it.

I tried the HF Dual Action polisher ($60) once and the pad would stop spinning at the slightest pressure and it left a haze on my black car which was difficult to remove without the aid of my rotary (I was using Meguiar`s 105). Also, it was so loud that I felt I needed ear protection and I`m a drummer!

I`ve also been using HF pads for years and haven`t had a problem with them either. When I`m done polishing, there are no swirl marks or micro-marring and the pads haven`t fallen apart or anything. You have to make sure you prime the pad properly before using it to avoid micro-marring and don`t use excessive pressure. Use the right compound or polish and the right pad and speed instead of trying to use pressure.
 
I appreciate all the input guys.
I decided to go with the HF DA Polisher. I would like the PC or another nicer model, but can`t justify the cost right now.
I have looked at all the mods for this polisher as well and everyone recommends getting a different backing plate/pads.
Any recommendation on a good backing plate and pads (cut/polish/wax)>
 
Angus, thanks for this post. I have a PC, but still sitting in the box. Researching pads, polishes, etc., and I think you just simplified it perfect for me.

Thanks!

Angus said:
Wellcome to Autopia!

How that you`ve settled on a polisher, I would highly recommend picking up:
BP: 5" (Dual Action Flexible 5 inch Backing Plate)
Pads: 3 Orange and 3 White 5.5" Lake Country flat pads (Lake Country 5.5 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - Mix and Match to create your own 6 pack!)
Compound/Polish/Wax: HD SPEED (3D HD Speed 32 oz.)
​

The results of using the above combo will put a nice big smile on your face :)
Click to expand...
 
nickclark08 said:
Angus, thanks for this post. I have a PC, but still sitting in the box. Researching pads, polishes, etc., and I think you just simplified it perfect for me.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it! From my own experience, picking out a DA was the easy part. But figuring out what pads > compound > polish > LSP was overwhelming.
 
Angus said:
Wellcome to Autopia!

How that you`ve settled on a polisher, I would highly recommend picking up:
BP: 5" (Dual Action Flexible 5 inch Backing Plate)
Pads: 3 Orange and 3 White 5.5" Lake Country flat pads (Lake Country 5.5 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - Mix and Match to create your own 6 pack!)
Compound/Polish/Wax: HD SPEED (3D HD Speed 32 oz.)
​

The results of using the above combo will put a nice big smile on your face :)
Click to expand...

Why would you reccomend this all-in-1 product instead of having separate products? Also, if I do get this one step product, why get all of the pads? Sorry, I have VERY limited knowledge about detailing. Thanks for the recommendation and help.

Also, what about the quality of the mothers polish that I can just pick up from Walmart?
 
SilverVRoom said:
Why would you reccomend this all-in-1 product instead of having separate products? Also, if I do get this one step product, why get all of the pads? Sorry, I have VERY limited knowledge about detailing. Thanks for the recommendation and help.

Also, what about the quality of the mothers polish that I can just pick up from Walmart?
Click to expand...

There are basically 3 types of pads: Cutting (most aggressive, hardest foam, or wool), Polishing (mildly aggressive), and Finishing (non-aggressive, softest foam).

If you will only be removing swirls and light scratches, then you probably won`t need a cutting pad. Cutting pads are for heavy paint correction like taking out sanding marks. That`s why I had to use my rotary at full speed with rubbing compound on my freshly painted car panels - to take out the colorsanding marks. I then followed up with a polishing pad and polish. The paint came out great without the need for a finishing pad. A finishing pad is also good for applying wax. All my pads are the $7 HF 5.5" pads.

I`m not familiar with the Mother`s polish, but if you only buy one polish, I recommend Meguiar`s 105. It corrects 1500 grit sanding marks and also finishes well, but just like all medium-duty polishes, if you want a truly flawless showcar finish you will have to follow up with something like Meguairs Ultimate Compound or Show Glaze #7 (which really isn`t a glaze) to get out every trace of swirls. Those are both light/"final" polishes. But with Meg`s 105 alone you can get to where you might see some fine swirls in the sun`s direct reflection at 4 feet away.

And once you`re done polishing, you`ll need to apply a wax or sealant because the paint will be completely bare. There are some All-In-One polishes available that have wax or sealant in them so you can save yourself that final step. Examples: HD Speed polish from 3D, McKee`s 360.

My freshly painted hood after colorsanding, compounding and polishing:

hood-after.jpg
 
Not to mention, I don`t do this for a living. Having 30 different polishes, etc is too expensive to try out when they will just be used on 1 or 2 vehicles (mine and my wife`s).

I know it`s autopian heresy, but I`m honestly not looking for perfection. Just better than 12 year-old swirled up paint. No garage queens in this house :)

HD speed to clean things up, throw on some FK1000p to protect everything, call it a day. I`m liking where this is going....


Angus said:
Glad to hear it! From my own experience, picking out a DA was the easy part. But figuring out what pads > compound > polish > LSP was overwhelming.
Click to expand...
 
Megs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish would be better bets for something you can find from Walmart, etc. In addition to HD speed mentioned by Angus, I might pick these up too.

While polishing, your pads will get filled up with polish residue and gunk. Having more than one pad of each type (cutting, polishing, etc.) can help speed things up, as you wont be cleaning and reusing that one pad over and over as you go around the car (waiting for it to dry, etc.) Just chuck the used pad in your cleaning bucket, grab a new one, and keep rolling around the car. more time efficient.

SilverVRoom said:
Why would you reccomend this all-in-1 product instead of having separate products? Also, if I do get this one step product, why get all of the pads? Sorry, I have VERY limited knowledge about detailing. Thanks for the recommendation and help.

Also, what about the quality of the mothers polish that I can just pick up from Walmart?
Click to expand...
 
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