Why does it take me so long with P/C?????

W.S.

New member
After reading alot of click and brags it seems it takes me way too long to polish, usually 7-8 hours on medium-hard paint and it still isn't swirl free. I use either wolfgang or edge 2K pads with optimum polishes and compounds. What am I doing so wrong?



Wade
 
Its not that you are doing anything wrong Wade, the PC is not a very powerful machine. You can do some nice defect removal with it but you are right, it takes time. The advice I offer is:



- Make sure you are running the PC on speed 6

- Increase the level of pad and compound you are using

- Make sure you are putting about 15 to 20 pounds of pressure on the PC



If you are serious about detailing you should invest in a rotary. They are not that hard to learn and once you do learn you can do amazing work and do it in a much more timely manner.
 
I have the same issue. 7-8 hours was fine when I just did my own car. now it is no longer practical for me beings that i do a car or 2 a week. I am ordering my rotary today :D
 
Wow now I really don't feel so bad. It took me at the very least 8 hours to do my car (first time ever using a machine). That does not include doing the interior.
 
For those ordering a rotary from what I hear the hitachi is the only way to go due to it being so light and due to the 5 year warranty.



You can buy my porter cable rotary for $100 if you want.
 
Well its nice to know that I'm not crazy, and it really does take "that" long to do it with the P/C.



I will get a rotary for next detail season hopefully.



Wade
 
There's no way I'm ready for a rotary. I've gotta get some more passes under my belt with the UDM. Sadly that might be a long time (on my car). Discovered some potential paint issues so it's back to the dealer for me.
 
W.S. said:
After reading alot of click and brags it seems it takes me way too long to polish, usually 7-8 hours on medium-hard paint and it still isn't swirl free. I use either wolfgang or edge 2K pads with optimum polishes and compounds. What am I doing so wrong?



Wade







Dont let the C&B threads fool you, it takes all those people 7-20 hours also. The threads make it appear they did it in an afternoon when really it took them 7-20 hours.
 
littlemissGTO said:
There's no way I'm ready for a rotary. I've gotta get some more passes under my belt with the UDM. Sadly that might be a long time (on my car). Discovered some potential paint issues so it's back to the dealer for me.
Its really not that hard to learn. Just go for it and go to a body shop and get junk panel and practice on it.
 
Coupe said:
Dont let the C&B threads fool you, it takes all those people 7-20 hours also. The threads make it appear they did it in an afternoon when really it took them 7-20 hours.



I agree that alot of the click and brags are exaggerated. I don't want to start a war, but on average, vehicles have scratches that are too deep to take out. They are not flawless as they are made to seem.
 
W.S. said:
After reading alot of click and brags it seems it takes me way too long to polish, usually 7-8 hours on medium-hard paint and it still isn't swirl free.



it varies from person to person how long each detail will take, also the skill level, experience, and products as well. i wouldn't say 100% swirl free finish is always going to be achieved, but more like 90-95%...
 
dmk112 said:
What about using a UDM? Would that make it faster?

I have a UDM. Then again my car was the first time I ever used a machine. I'll probably get to use it a couple more times this week. I hope to get my time cut down a little bit. It took me every bit of 8 hours to do my car.
 
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