Polisher for disabled person

Ocean Winds

Ocean Winds

New member
Hello everyone,
i recently purchased an 09 Miata. It has a single stage red paint that has etched water spots. I highly doubt I`ll be able to get those out, so my goal is to make it as pretty as possible. I clay barred it and it`s better. I really need a polisher/DA/buffer. Here are my obstacles...
1) budget. I only have less than $100
2) I have cancer so I`m weak and need a lightweight one that doesn`t have a lot of vibration.

In my past life, I had a Show truck, and had a variable speed buffer and used a wool pad with excellent results. I forget the brand name but it was large and quite heavy.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Christine
 
First, sorry about your illness! Cancer sucks, butt kick its ass!

For under $100 with little vibration may be tough.....theres the Harbor Freight, but it`s beastly and vibrates....

You can try the Meguiars DA drill attachment, that may work?
 
Christine, are you set on tackling this project by yourself? If not, there may be a forum member in your neck of the woods who could help you out with equipment and expertise. If this is a one-time effort to get rid of the water spots and some swirls and scratches, why invest in a piece of equipment you won`t be using again for a long time? You don`t need one for washing and waxing.
 
Thanks. I`m on the Oregon Coast and I think the nearest person is Portland (3 hours one way). I am stubborn so I would like to try this myself. My husband is a volunteer fireman so if I can find a combo that works on my car, I may tackle the one fire truck they have that`s been neglected. It may take a looonnnggg time, but I`m that tenacious!
 
cleanmycorolla said:
You can try the Meguiars DA drill attachment, that may work?
Click to expand...

the megs DA attachment requires two handed operation at all times, one to hold the drill and one to hold the handle on the DA attachment

I have one, and I wouldn`t say its smooth (but yet not horribly rough either) and I can tell you that those 4 inch pads will take quite some time to cover an area so fatigue will set in pretty quickly I`d imagine
 
Hello to you, Ocean Winds

Sorry to hear about the big C ! !
I`m glad you will be detailing. After a detail session I always feel I could take on the world !
This is the machine set I`m suggesting, has everything to get you started. Takes 6" pads if you want more than the 3 it comes with.

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Mother`s Wax Attack 2 Power Pro Polisher.
Found it under the" All Mother`s Car Care Products.
Good Luck and keep us posted on what you decide.
Take care
Mary B.
 
Thanks everyone!! I like the Mothers but I have all the compounds and waxes already, so I don`t need double. I will look into the Harbor Freight one. I have a Harbor Freight about 1 1/2 hours from me and I have to go to the valley for a doc appointment so I`ll swing by HF to touch and feel. I really appreciate all your feedback. I had no idea where to start looking. I also have Fibromyalgia....so my butt is getting kicked. Even if I can only polish one panel per day....it will get done!!
Polish on!!!!
 
Sorry to hear about the illness

for under 100, you really only have the Harbor freight option, but go for Lake country thinpro pads

if budget wasnt an issue a makita po5000c is the smoothest and most ergonomic machine i`ve used so far...followed by Rupes and Griot Longthrows
 
Sounds like machine weight is your biggest concern. I agree. The Harbour Freight one does NOT list the weight. A cheap machine will be useless if you can`t hold it because of weight .They all get heavy after a few panels. There are not many that offer both price and lightweight comfort. The lightest I have found is the Flex PE-8 which is 4 lbs. That is rotary. For me, the power switch is awkward to use.
 
yeah...typical full size machines are in the 5.75 trp 6.5 lb....
Rupes duetto,75e , Adams swirl killer mini, and flex pe8 may be more ideal if weight it of more concern.
out of that small list the adams swirl killer mini is most ergonomic/comfy and feels as smooth as my Rupes 75E
its also the best fit for your budget
 
nothingface5384 said:
yeah...typical full size machines are in the 5.75 trp 6.5 lb....
Rupes duetto,75e , Adams swirl killer mini, and flex pe8 may be more ideal if weight it of more concern.
out of that small list the adams swirl killer mini is most ergonomic/comfy and feels as smooth as my Rupes 75E
its also the best fit for your budget
Click to expand...

The HF, Adams SK mini, and Flex pe8 are machines that you could change out the Plate for different sizes.
With the HF able to run 5-6" BPs.
;)
 
Very sorry to hear of your illness! For $100 or under your best bet is the Harbor Freight DA. You can easily find 20% off coupons online to print off for Harbor Freight. Do not buy the HF pads, they are junk! Buy a good 5" backing plate from this site and some 5.5" Lake Country thin pro pads and your set. Good luck...
 
Thanks everyone! You are all so kind to give me your advice. I will go with the HF one and the Lake Country pads.
Also, thank you for your supportive words on the big C. This is my second time with it, but this time it`s a rare form that less than 2000 people a year get, so under researched, and non treatable. I always knew I was special but GEE whiz....never wanted to be THAT special!! That`s why I just bought my little red Miata. I`d really like to get her paint in shape while I can. No worries....all is good!!! I still have WAY too much to do!!
 
Sorry to hear about your illness, but with the determination you have already written about, I`m sure you can beat it.

The HF polisher is probably your best bet if you want a new DA, and can be modified to bring down the vibration some (see Youtube videos regarding grease repacking)/ If you can find one in your area, the PC 7424CP. used, usually goes for less than $100, and is a revision of the polisher that got machine detailing off the ground. You should replace the backing plate on either machine with a backing plate for 5.5" pads, as that is the easiest pad size to use, one of the most common, and will make the most of the available power (especially with the PC 7424XP). The Griot`s Garage GG6 sometimes may be had at just about $100 if you catch a sale or get lucky and find one on clearance. Then again, from what I understand, HF has 20$ off coupons in most major papers in the US that are near HF stors, so the HF will still be the cheapest possible DA.
 
I am upgrading my Porter Cable this week. If you PM me your address, it`s yours. Still works perfectly.

Best wishes for combating your illness; you seem to have a very resilient spirit.
 
I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity of a fellow forum member, ManiZ. He is shipping me his polisher as a gift. I never expected such kindness. One thing I`ve learned thru all my cancer is, I`ve had so many people come to my aid. When I was first diagnosed, all my friends were there, and I needed them. My husband was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis right before my cancer so it`s been extra difficult. All the kindness we receive, we pay it forward. I`m so touched by the support, kindness and again, generosity of this forum. Thank you everyone!
 
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