Car Cleaning - Rotary Polisher v DA polisher

rhysduck

rhysduck

rhysduck

Soldato
Joined
25 Oct 2009
Posts
6,711
Location
Caerphilly
Lidl are having a Rotary polisher come up in the next few days (Thursday);

3000rpm, £20, handled, etc http://www.lidl-pageflip.com/uk.html?kid=VEiVro

I'm yet to buy/own a car polisher and the car needs a good cut/polish/wax etc to remove some fine scratches, swirl marks etc.

Whats the general consensus on one of these versus the DA Polishers (DAS-60) etc?
 
From memory, rotary machines are easier to strike/burn through but when used correctly can be quicker. DA is more forgiving, but can take longer if there's a lot of polishing required.
 
I'd be a bit sceptical using a £20 electric powered polisher on my paintwork.

Or maybe I'm just being pessimistic, it may be the bargain of the century...

How long do these offers usually last? You will have to give us all a review
 
Rybo89 said:
You buy it and tell us :)
Click to expand...
:rolleyes: How helpful
Scottland said:
From memory, rotary machines are easier to strike/burn through but when used correctly can be quicker. DA is more forgiving, but can take longer if there's a lot of polishing required.
Click to expand...
Hmm... with not wanting to do damage to the car maybe the DA would be better.

Edit: Yes I'm a bit sceptical too but was wondering if any of you guys has used them and to what effect.. the DA polishers are priced ok at about £80 odd (polisher alone) and then this rotary is £20 plus extra pads, and the various polishes, sealants etc it soon adds up...
 
Scottland said:
From memory, rotary machines are easier to strike/burn through but when used correctly can be quicker. DA is more forgiving, but can take longer if there's a lot of polishing required.
Click to expand...

I'm hamfisted as hell and never had a problem with a rotary
 
Looks externally identical to the Halfords own brand item, which I have been told is a pile of poop.
 
Rotty said:
I'm hamfisted as hell and never had a problem with a rotary
Click to expand...

With a degree of common sense and intelligence I'm sure they're fine - but the nature of them means it is easier to burn through the clear coat.

I personally wouldn't want to buy something to use on my car without a decent amount of feedback. Not just if it's any good or will ruin your car etc, but to make sure that decent pads will fit it and so on.
 
Rotary polishers are awful. You would see better results with a DA type. Use some 3M Finesse-it along with a spray bottle of water and follow that with a good coat of wax to seal the paint back in.
 
Last edited:
Draeger said:
Rotary polishers are awful. You would see better results with a DA type. Use some 3M Finesse-it along with a spray bottle of water and follow that with a good coat of wax to seal the paint back in.
Click to expand...

They aren't awful, the majority of professional bodyshops will use a rotary polisher. I've used my rotary (Silverline) polisher on loads of cars, and I have never yet managed to damage the paint, and it always produces excellent results. As long as you keep the paint surface moist and don't lean on the polisher (especially on edges) then it's quite hard to go wrong. Basically, the application of common sense and caution until you get some practice with it.

Judging by how slowly a rotary cuts back grotty paint, you'd be there literally all day with a DA polisher in some cases.
 
I'm also interested to know what CHEAP DA polishers are like compared to the more expensive ones? Obviously they aren't going to be as good at all, but will i get better results with it than by hand? I've got a cheap RAC one in the shed from a few years ago that i think i used about once and was thinking about getting it out again.
 
I use the silverline ones and they are cheap but effective, the difference compared to a better machine like a Makita, is build quality,less vibration through the handle and better speed control.

DA's are for girls, they havent got the balls to do decent paint correction, and the only people that rate them are the people who spent stupid money on a Porter cable back when this detailing fad started.
 
Nomisf said:
Looks externally identical to the Halfords own brand item, which I have been told is a pile of poop.
Click to expand...

Indeed it does. I have the Halfords polisher and it is good for large panels, such as the bonnet, but for everywhere else it is pretty useless. I would avoid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom