Dual Action Polisher..?

Brendan

Brendan

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Been thinking about getting one of these. But is it worth all the effort and cost? I enjoy cleaning the car but I wouldn't say I am OCD about it. Unfortunately, having a black car really does show up no end of swirls and scratches which is starting to drive me a bit potty. Last year I had a front end respray but its already got scratches no matter how careful I am cleaning it.And the rest of the car is worse!:shocked:

Is a DA polisher going to remove these scratches and swirls? None of the scratches are that deep.
 
Hi Brendan,
Yes it will, however its not just a case of plug in and go. As with any final result it's going to be all down to the initial prep, masking off your trims, using the right compounds and finishing products. Its not a Sunday morning job.
Scratching is always going to occur unless you can completely remove all the foreign bodies from the bodywork before you start the sponging and that's kinda impossible. Claying helps, jet washing helps but there are still tiny deposits that get dragged around during the acting of washing causing the scratching. The mere act of washing, or creating friction, creates scratching.
You can spend ages getting it perfect but it will eventually come back again.
I've got a black GT and in the fluro light I can see the sponge swirls. I am going to have a go at it poss before the anni trip next year but I'm going to spend some time on it and use fillers, already have my product; Blackfire. Only really want to be doing this the once if I can help it!
Hey but feel free to fill your boots, it's good to keep learning!
Roge
 
Dark coloured cars always show the worst swirling/holograms etc. in direct light, so you'll never keep them completely at bay.

I've been doing some research on machine polishing and have taken the first step of buying a DA polisher. The weather has been too poor to play with it yet and I shall also be practising on some scrap panels I have to work on my technique. I asked Newton a while ago if he might volunteer his services for a workshop sometime as he has extensive professional experience in this field. Perhaps we could get something going for those of us who are OCD enough? I'm happy to volunteer my new machine, some pads and product.
 
Hi Maf,
You'll have to pop round sometime and show me your's.
I did a nuts and bolts total resto on a 1275 years ago with 25lts of celly black on and got that up to pure mirror. 2k paints are a different animal altogether and can't be 'worked' like celly but you can still get them looking good if you are prepared to put the time in, but I still use fillers and sealants.
Roge
 
I have used DA's for years and polish my cars twice a year, I also do friends cars as I find it relaxing. It’s a day’s job. I did a detailing course a couple of years ago and it’s a simple job but the more skill you have the quicker and simpler it is.

I use a rotary now as it’s quicker and has a better finish but you have to be brave. With a DA you won’t do any damage unless you do something monumentally daft. I do have a guide to using a DA if anyone wants it. PM me and I’ll send it over.

My recommendation for very basic kit is: Pads, I use Hexlogic pads as ive found them to last well and not clog up and menzerna polish - but there are loads and they are much of a muchness. I now have 8+ pads types, all sorts or brands of polish and shelves of bits as it becomes obsessive quickly.

Green pads in both sizes for light to medium medium polish (menzerna 2500/3000)
Orange polish for cutting (menzerna 500)
Black pads for sealant and wax, I don’t tend to use fillers though
3M blue tape

Very basically clean and clay the car. Tape off edges shut lines or parts you do not want to polish then prime the pad with detailing spray or water, add 4 pea sized globs of polish and smear on the panel (2ftx2ft at a time) then start the DA at speed 2 and then when the polish is over the panel then crank to 5. move up and down the panel crossing half over where you have been before until the polish become clear or greasy, then the polish has broken down. If it does not go greasy it won’t work at all. Then carry on for a couple of mins, Wipe and check for scratches. When you turn the DA off always leave the pad on the panel until its stops, if you dont it may fly off and then you may touch the panel with the velcro, not good. If they are still deep maybe try the coarser polish - always start with the mildest polish you have as unless you have a paint thickness machine you don’t know what you have to work with.

Maybe if we have a few people interested and Newton is happy I will also offer my services as his assistant (not in a dress mind - twirl etc), im happy to meet one day if im around to help if i can, you will want a beer after doing a full car..

There is nothing like taking a panel full of tiny scratches to glass finish, very satisfying
 
Thanks for the comments. I think if my car was evenly scratched all over it would not be too bad but its not. Even the roof looks like a skating rink!
 
Happy to run master classes any time Frank but I very reay use a machine or a abrasives - nothing against them personally I am no expert in using them either.
 
I use a DA also, though just on the other two black cars, not been brave enough to try it on the Maserati, it needs a few chips sorted first anyway. I use poorboys compound, with good results.
 
roger102 said:
Have a look at the wash guide thread : http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/851-Wash-Guide
An expanded version on cleaning for you to absorbe Brendan.

Roge
Click to expand...

I do the 2 bucket method now, even clean all the cloths between washes and even bad them up. I think most of the scratches are down to the couple of times I cleaned the car after it was painted and before I adopted the new method. Unfortunately, except the front which was painted the rest of the car is quite scratched. Not even sure a D A polisher will remove everything.

Recently got some Poorboys Blackhole which is a 'filler' though only temporary. Worth a try. I am just waiting for the rain to stop.
 
What about this car wash scenario?

I went through the local no touch machine at the weekend, I asked them not to finish the bodywork only the wheels because the last time I had the premium wash and chamois finish I`m sure the swirls were made worse (scratched the windscreen glass). I subsequently had it detailed. I`ve done a couple of 2 bucket jobs at home, much to the amusement of my family "OCD" "mid life crisis" jibes, but if the cap fits I suppose. Even my neighbour said I`d wash the car away.

So I retreated to the car wash, got the no touch treatment but the car was still dirty and had to brazen it out at home and wash again.

Next time I think I`ll try use the HP hose and foam combo, bring my own bucket and washing mit LOL and then take it through their dryer.
There is a dry wash outfit at the car park I usually use, but not keen on that whole dry clean thing, you know like do they just press your trousers and scratch and spit on the milk stain!
 
I have an inbuilt snow foam system on my Karcher, with a changeable lance head for foam, they work quite well..!!
 
Frank, best summed up as; clay bar, farclea G3 & G5 finished with 3M Finness, another clay bar, pre-wax cleanser feed and lots of hand applied wax. As I said I'm not a fan of machine polishing as it is very easy to burn or skip off. I just find a bit of elbow grease can cope with anything unless its new paint that needs polishing up.
 
Brendan said:
Been thinking about getting one of these. But is it worth all the effort and cost? I enjoy cleaning the car but I wouldn't say I am OCD about it. Unfortunately, having a black car really does show up no end of swirls and scratches which is starting to drive me a bit potty. Last year I had a front end respray but its already got scratches no matter how careful I am cleaning it.And the rest of the car is worse!:shocked:

Is a DA polisher going to remove these scratches and swirls? None of the scratches are that deep.
Click to expand...


I would suggest a rotary - get a demo panel from the scrap yard, watch lots of Utube videos and experiment - I got a DA and soon switched to a rotary after 3 month to get better results (DA hardly gets used now), as I was going to work on customer cars I went to 3 different companies for advanced training (all had different approach to machine polishing but all suggested rotary) its not as bad or dangerous as people think
regards pads and compounds, I would suggest 3M or Menzerna compounds but get samples as what may work from someone may not work for you and will also depend on your pads.

I think Frank has already offered his services and I would also be happy to be backup help
 
Last edited:
Newton,
I have a rotary, but I need new pads to polish off, any suggestions / recommendations. I have used a muslin cloth over a buffing pad, but it tends to get clogged quite quickly, so a speciaiity pad would maybe be better..??
Cheers
R
 
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