Polishers!

Mark M

Mark M

Mark M

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2006
Posts
3,435
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
After my recent attemp at buffing out a few scratches I decided to look into getting a polishing machine! I can actually get either of the following very cheaply through work (well the price of a few pints to be precise!) and was wondering if they would be suitable for use on a car as I'm not sure if you can change the heads on them? Think I might not be fully understanding the terminilogy as it talks about back plates but if anyone could confirm then that would be great.

Draper 44190

http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/44190-1500w-230v-draper-expert-180mm-angle-polisher-5108-p.asp


Sealey S0758

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Sander-Polisher-180mm-Variable-Speed-1200W-230V-Sealey-S0758

Also if I can use different heads a link to some I could buy would be very helpfull too as there appear to be quite a lot out there. Or are all the "decent" brands much of a muchness?

Thanks
 
From what i have read, a "random orbit" or "dual action" (possibly the same thing, not certain) is a big advantage. Have a search for the Meguiars G220 Dual action unit. Have seen some very impressive results on a forum, although I can't remember exactly which one (could have been detailingworld.com) and can be had for about £140 and pads etc are very available due to it being a Meguiars product, they sell them all.
 
d'oh, just noticed you can get either of your stated items for almost nothing so ignore me.
 
Thats £180, I can get the above for a fiver? Surely it will be better than by hand? But obviosuly not as good as the link you have posted?
 
Mark, a rotary polisher in inexperienced hands can do a lot of damage very quickly. It can burn paint, or cut through the clearcoat, and leave a novice wishing they had stuck to T-cut and a duster.

The advantage of tools like the Meguiars G220 is that it will be much more effective than hand polishing, but much less likely to damage paint.

I use both; a rotary for panel work, and a dual action machine (Porter Cable) for detail work (and plastic bumpers, where heat build up can be a really big problem)
 
Hmmm, didnt realise I could do damage to the paint work (other that getting dirt in the pad and scratching the paint)

Perhaps I will just do it by hand as there is no way I can afford £180 as good as it may be.
 
If you can get one for a fiver then do it. Then get a scrap bit of body work from your local scrappie and attack it with a spoon (well a knife would be better) and then see what you can do with it.

Learning a new skill is always satisfying.
 
kennethsross said:
Mark, a rotary polisher in inexperienced hands can do a lot of damage very quickly. It can burn paint, or cut through the clearcoat, and leave a novice wishing they had stuck to T-cut and a duster.
Click to expand...

In the hands of a cack handed clumsy oaf it's possible, but with a modicum of care a rotary is fine.
 
Not sure if we're allowed to link directly to a detailing forum as OcUK stock Meguiars stuff.

But if you look in the guides section, there is a very comprehensive guide on how to use Rotary and Dual Action/Random Orbital machines.

It's not just a case of splashing on some polish and getting stuck in unfortunately. You can burn through the clear coat, meaning you'll be looking for a respray on that panel.

Besides, you can pick up machines cheap but you've still got to spend ~£10 a bottle for a decent 3M/Menzerna polish, and you'll need 2 really. Plus at least 1 polishing pad and 1 finishing pad, which are about £10 each. So it quickly adds up, this is why I suggested in the other thread to get a quote from a bodyshop/detailer.

I've seen people charge ~£100 for a decent exterior detail with machine correction + wax afterwards. You'll have to spend at least £50 and they'll do a better job more than likely (no offence ;)).


If you're genuinely interesting in having a go for yourself, and think it's something you'll do again or for other people - then go for it it's quite satisfying. But for a one off correction get your paintwork upto a better standard, IMO it would be worth looking for a detailer to do it and then make sure you maintain and protect it properly.

Just my 2p.
 
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