Which Powered Polisher?

[Rich_C]

Gents,

As Christmas is approaching rapidly the wife has been dropping hints with regard to what I want as a present from the in-laws ... the situation goes like this I buy what I want, the wife passes it over to her parents who in turn give her the money which in turn ends back in my pocket - come Christmas I open my present up and look shocked & amazed that it was just what I really wanted and everybody is happy.

Now as I've now got a garage full of every novelty golf accessory known to man (I wish such companies would stop manufacture) I was thinking about getting some car related stuff. Up to know I've always polished my car by hand but I was thinking about getting a powered polisher. Problem is I'm not really sure what I should be looking for in a polisher ... or to be precise what differentiates a crap but expensive polisher from a good but cheap one. I use Meguiars products and would have bought their polisher just from the branding perspective but it appears they don't do one.

To help I thought I would provide details of my car care routine:
- Wash weekly followed by quick detailer
- Polish Monthly
- Every 6 months clay bar followed by 3 step system

So as far what I want a polisher to do is quite simply apply wax/polish and then buff off again. I doubt I'd ever want to cut the paintwork as I wouldn't trust myself so would always take it to a body shop if it needed doing. So can anybody recommend a particular polisher or define what I should be looking out for in my search. I'm probably looking for something in the range of £50 to £100 but would consider spending more if it was really considered to be the mutts nuts.

Many thanks,

Rich.

[PhilT]

I have just had to replace my £13 B&Q polisher.... I bought the £20 RAC one from Argos!! You may think it's not enough money on a polisher, but I have had more than my money's worth out of the B&Q one. The RAC one's only draw-back is the number of cloths that come with it, only 2. Great bit of kit though IMHO.

This might help - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews ... ffers.html

[GrahamS4]

I believe a Portercable is the ultimate. I don't have one myelf, but have know a few people who swear by them.

[jac-in-a-box]

I'll throw my 2p's worth into the ring...

Rotary polisher in inexperienced hands is a real NO - you can do an incredible amount of damage in no time at all. I've seen the results and they will be hugely expensive to correct.

Halfords and B&Q - really a waste of money. Low torque motors that get bogged down all to easily. They also have a rotary action and will readily add more swirls / paint blemishes than you're trying to remove.

The PC (Porter Cable) - a little gem.
This is nothing more than a random orbit sander that was picked up by the Americans and pressed into use as a safe and effective polisher.
It is so safe, that anyone can pick it uop and use it - providing you're not stupid and use aggresive compounds with the wrong type of polishing head you'll really not go wrong.

I've deliberately tried to go through the paint on an old panel - believe me, I had to try with compounds that ordinarily have no place being near your car.

Why is the PC any better than a random orbit sander from your DIY store? The size of the orbit...it's far larger than anything else on machines over here. It has, IIRC, around a 6-8mm orbit, it goes round but with an eccentric throw, which means that with the right polish and foam head you can remove swirls / scratches - NOT add them.

It can be used to apply waxes - I don't bother, just apply them by hand. It comes into its own when preparing paint. It takes all the effort out of polishing, you'll not lose enthusiasm part way through. It can achieve more in an hour than you could in 10 hours - it really is astonishingly good.

I bought mine from Better Car Care in the West Coast of the States. It arrived in 3 days and no customs / VAT to pay (I haven't heard of anyone having to yet)
You'll need a 110v transformer and extension lead to get up and running which are easily sourced for minimal outlay.
With the £/$ exchange rate being so favourable there couldn't be a better time to buy.

I've had mine for 2 years now - it's been used almost daily for 6 months of each year - not the slightest hint of complaint from it. Superbly constructed, easy to handle I'm confident it last for years yet.

Read more about what it can do, how to get it etc in here:

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6997

I know the guy who runs Better Car Care, David Byron, he has come up with good deals for several forums who have arranged group buys...and before the cynics ask - no, I get nothing from it!!

What it can do, what it's like - a little in here:

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=53460

Dave

[SLC Detailing]

Dave i have a porter cable, how do u rate it compare to a rotery? What do u use mainly a PC or a rotary?

[Rich_C]

Appreciate you guys taking the time to respond with some really good advice.

Phil - thanks for the link - it was exactly the kind of information I was looking for ... amazed the battery powered Cosmo came top.

Graham - many thanks to you for dangling temptation in front of me like a carrot. I've been doing some research on Portercable and your spot on it seems to be the 'must have' polisher. Here's some of the useful links I've come across on my trawl of the internet ...

Detailing World

The above link is outstanding for information and provides everything you need to know including the following links.

How to Use PC Video

Autopia

The Polishing Company

Needless to say I'm given the porter cable some serious consideration which can roughly be translated into (a) how can I get this past the wife into the garage without her noticing (she seems to be able to readily do this with tops that to quote "she's had for ages") or (b) if (a) fails how can I convince her that this isn't another 'of the moment' product that will gather dust in my garage like the rest of my half used bottles or wax/polish.

And finally - Dave I appreciate your professional advice and your approval of the product.

Thanks all.

Rich.

[jac-in-a-box]

Dave i have a porter cable, how do u rate it compare to a rotery? What do u use mainly a PC or a rotary?

I use a Porter Cable 99% of the time. I do have a rotary but I'll only use it for "spot" repairs.

Why? While I feel reasonably confident with a rotary the potential for making a mistake is more than I'm prepared to chance (and even the most experienced valeters will admit to making one or two)
A momentary lapse of concentration could result in a large insurance claim against me, and worse still, someone's pride and joy being devalued by being repainted.

With the PC, a common sense selection of products and pads will ensure that it's virtually impossible to make a costly mistake. Its action is far less dynamic and aggressive than the rotary.
I've introduced many customers to the joys of using a PC - without exception, all have got to grips with it almost immediately.

A rotary polisher in experienced hands is a very effective tool...it's quick and that's probably its only real advantage. It can be argued that a rotary will produce a better finish...not so in my considered opinion. Certainly the PC is slower but it will produce a shine comparable with that produced by a rotary.

A rotary will speedily remove swirl marks if used with correct products but at the expense of some of your clearcoat. Or it can rapidly disguise scratches and swirls using products that contain "fillers".
It's the expediency the rotary polisher offers that has spawned the plethora of get rich quick detailers....cautionary story!

Guy in Glasgow with a new Jag XK couldn't wait for me to come over. Found a detaling company through a free ads paper. Left them access to his garage and car while he went work.
Returned to find the guys had gone and left every panel on the car damaged...burnt through paint on high points and panel edges - and looks as though they had an "accident" with polisher and let it skitter over the bonnet.
I went across to take a look...needs a total repaint. Estimate for repairs IIRC £3,700 + VAT. He can't contact the "company" Didn't ask if they were insured...he's one unhappy fellow.

Stay with the PC spend some time to explore it's a capabilities - it really is an excellent, versatile - and safe tool!

Dave

[jac-in-a-box]

Rich - I'm confident that it won't turn out to be another dust gathering gadget!

If you've got more than a passing interest in maintaining your paint finish you'll wonder why you spent all those hours doing it by hand - spend as much time with the PC on your paint as you did with good old fashioned elbow grease you will be impressed with result.
Find yourself some products that work well with the PC and you could even rationalise your stock of half used bottle of "potions and lotions"

Dave

[SLC Detailing]

Thanks for the response David. I have been working on many, with the PC. I find it a great tool but patience is the key. I would be interested to know your technique in using polishes and what polishes u use with the PC, especially on the hardest paints, Audi etc Thanks

[Rich_C]

Right … I've notified the wife it's a PC or nothing ... and nothing is not an option.

I've been reading through all the various posts on detailing world and think I will use Autopia - seem reliable with good customer support and decent prices. The norm order seems to be the SFX kit plus some spare pads, some microfibre cloths. By the looks of it I need to source some Megs #80 and Megs #83 from else where though. Anybody think of anything else I should add to my wish list? Any tips (Dave in particular) regarding using it and what procedure to follow.

I'll report back with how the transaction went and some time after Christmas once we get some decent weather how well it works.

Dave ... are you a member of detailing world? Seen some interesting threads on the use of the PC which have the same informative style as your threads on here ... the fact the member was also called Dave got me wondering.

Rich.
(PS ... see how easily I can be persuaded away from what seemed like a sensible budget )

[jac-in-a-box]

Rich, I'm doing a little write up for a couple of other forums on the PC...how to, products etc. Give me a little while and I'll pass it to PhilT for approval before posting (don't want to breach advertising protocols etc)

Autopia is the best place for the PC without doubt - all those who I've recommended the product to have all have received it within 4 working days of placing the order.
Definately worthwhile picking up some "lightweight" goods... microfibre cloths, pads etc. It's all superb quality and very inexpensive compared to the prices in UK

Also just had an email from Autopia offering 15% of orders up to, IIRC, the 12th Nov. Send an email to jacbox@blueyonder.co.uk and I'll forward a copy...it's an extra useful saving!

I'm a member of detailing world...only go there infrequently.

[Rich_C]

Dave,

I won't be using the PC until after Christmas so happy to wait for any knowledge you can impart. Unfortunately by the time I read your post I had already ordered via the Detailing World link which also got me 15% discount. I ordered plenty of clothes, wash mitts & spare pads due to the sheer cheapness of it. You just have to look at the price of the Megs stuff compared to what we pay in the UK to see how much margin we UK citizens generate for such American firms. Pleased with the customer service at Autopia so far ... had the email that it's been shipped so will hopefully be here Friday/Monday time.

I've been advised to get some Monzerna products for use with the PC on hard VAG paintwork. Would you agree or recommend some different considering the amount of Audi's/RS6's you've done?

Many thanks,

Rich.

[jac-in-a-box]

Good to hear you managed to get 15% off Rich...every little helps.

Yes Menzerna is good; from most to least abrasive, Power Gloss, Intensive Polish and Final PolishII. Good service from these guys:

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/polish.html.

There is a huge array of products to choose from - you really should try a few and see what suits you and your car.

One other product that I really do rate is (not a lot of use for scratch removal etc) is Klasse-all-in-One - a synthetic cleaner/polish/sealant.
You just can't go wrong with the stuff and works so well with the PC. From here:

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/information.php?info_id=8

Glaze's ...a little ambivalent on the use of these. It's "cheating"- they're really "filler" products that leave the surface glossy and apparently scratch free until the fillers fail and wash out. Many use them; it's a case of each to their own.

Think Santa is delivering quite a few PC's this year!

Dave