The more I use my UDM...

S

Scottwax

New member
...the more I like it!



With the speed on 6 and really pushing down, I can't believe how fast it still spins! I had ample opportunity to try that part out today because I had a black AMG S55 to detail that had a plethora of swirls and scratches. I'd say it did at least as well as my Cyclo would have. I wouldn't even have pulled my PC out for this car, I would have went straight for my Cyclo if I didn't have the UDM.



I hate the on-off switch though, I bumped it on a few times when I least expected it and even off a couple times...thought it broke on me or something!



I think once the switch is upgraded I'll be even happier with it. And yeah, like others have mentioned, a longer cord would be nice too. No problems with the speed switch though, I am so used to the PC that the placement seems natural to me. Plus, it is very intuative. Roll up for higher speeds, down for lower speeds.



My 6" exceldetail backing plate works very well too. Didn't notice an increase in vibration when I swapped it in place of the original 5" one and using a larger size backing plate allows for more even pressure across the entire pad.
 
scott, thanks for sharing your experience with the UDM :up i may have to order one when funds are more plentiful...
 
WilliamHBonney said:
Always wanted to ask you, why have you never stepped up to a rotary?
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Shoot, he's working his way up to it...you're too new here to know that Scott used to do everything BY HAND...and you thought his arms looked like that from the gym...



Over on MOL there is a legendary thread where Scott did one half of a car by hand while someone else did the other half with a G100 during a Meg's detail clinic...I forget who won, but it was close.
 
WilliamHBonney said:
Always wanted to ask you, why have you never stepped up to a rotary?
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Eventually I will have to. I haven't used one since I took a paint/body class my senior year of high school...in 1979. :nervous2:



I was doing everything by hand until about 3 years ago as it is!
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Over on MOL there is a legendary thread where Scott did one half of a car by hand while someone else did the other half with a G100 during a Meg's detail clinic...I forget who won, but it was close.
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Actually, it wasn't even close. I had 2/3rds of the car waxed by the time Aurora40 had a fender waxed using the G100. I still wax by hand. Takes me maybe 5 minutes to cover a car in a thin layer of wax.
 
Oh...I guess I remember something different...I know Aurora40 confirmed for everybody who didn't believe it that you were the real deal polishing (correcting) by hand.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Oh...I guess I remember something different...I know Aurora40 confirmed for everybody who didn't believe it that you were the real deal polishing (correcting) by hand.
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Oh yeah, we also did a hood, Mike Phillips with the G100 and me by hand. I thought you were talking about the speed race between me and Bob (Aurora40). Lots of people were suprised by the amount of heat I could generate by hand...the terry cloth towel was hot after I used it. :)
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Shoot, he's working his way up to it...you're too new here to know that Scott used to do everything BY HAND...and you thought his arms looked like that from the gym...



Over on MOL there is a legendary thread where Scott did one half of a car by hand while someone else did the other half with a G100 during a Meg's detail clinic...I forget who won, but it was close.
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Actually I have been around 3 years longer than you. Dont let the join date fool you.
 
Scottwax said:
Oh yeah, we also did a hood, Mike Phillips with the G100 and me by hand. I thought you were talking about the speed race between me and Bob (Aurora40). Lots of people were suprised by the amount of heat I could generate by hand...the terry cloth towel was hot after I used it. :)
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That would be fun to see. Wasnt it Brian up in NY that got you into the PC?
 
Scottwax said:
Oh yeah, we also did a hood, Mike Phillips with the G100 and me by hand. I thought you were talking about the speed race between me and Bob (Aurora40). Lots of people were suprised by the amount of heat I could generate by hand...the terry cloth towel was hot after I used it. :)
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Well, obviously my advanced age is clouding my memory, and I was mixing the two together. The part I DO remember is that Bob said for anyone who didn't believe you could correct by hand--he saw it. For all the disrespect you get from certain quarters, anyone who did cars that way every day for 10 years likely has a unique appreciation for paint, polishes, and technique. I think the report of another member (as well as the rest of the class) speak for your results, regardless of your exposure settings. What else impresses me is that unlike some other hand-polishing professional members, you embrace change...with machines, products...and of course you take the time to answer all questions and help the newbs.
 
+1 for the UDM. While I have never used a PC, I have to say that I am extremely pleased with it. My only problem is the switch. I don't mind the length of the chord at all. The bag is nice as well. Great product!!



-Frank
 
Scott, that's not fair! I was just about ready to order a Hitachi before I read this! How is the vibration of the UDM compared to a PC?



I'm thinking I will sell my PC, buy a UDM to play with for a couple months then order the Hitachi. I will use the UDM for finishing work until I get the hang of finishing with a rotary.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Well, obviously my advanced age is clouding my memory, and I was mixing the two together. The part I DO remember is that Bob said for anyone who didn't believe you could correct by hand--he saw it. For all the disrespect you get from certain quarters, anyone who did cars that way every day for 10 years likely has a unique appreciation for paint, polishes, and technique. I think the report of another member (as well as the rest of the class) speak for your results, regardless of your exposure settings. What else impresses me is that unlike some other hand-polishing professional members, you embrace change...with machines, products...and of course you take the time to answer all questions and help the newbs.
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You can say that again, Setec!! Scottwax has answered any question posed to him with with reason and candor. That is why he is a considered source in detailing and why I have so much respect for his many posts.
 
I agree about the UDM. Seems to break down polishes quicker and run more smoothly, so polishing is almost enjoyable.



I have had some issues with the switch, but I can live with it.
 
Frito Bandito said:
Scott, that's not fair! I was just about ready to order a Hitachi before I read this! How is the vibration of the UDM compared to a PC?



I'm thinking I will sell my PC, buy a UDM to play with for a couple months then order the Hitachi. I will use the UDM for finishing work until I get the hang of finishing with a rotary.
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Get the Hitachi, trust me.... It can do things the UDM can only dream about... Completely different machines, for different reasons. If you have an rotary and a PC there is no need for anything else.
 
I'm not overly impressed with a PC with 6.5 inch pads. A PC or UDM with 5 inch pads probably works fairly well. But a rotary can still do more cutting, escpecially with wool.
 
Scottwax said:
I'd say it did at least as well as my Cyclo would have. I wouldn't even have pulled my PC out for this car, I would have went straight for my Cyclo if I didn't have the UDM.
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Scott, would you say that the UDM is on par with the Cyclo in terms of correcting ability, or is it still too early to tell? Are you still planning on doing a comparison test between the UDM and PC ... and perhaps including the Cyclo too?
 
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