My Das-6 Pro+ kit turned up yesterday (They were out of stock) and I am planning to have a go with it on SWMBO Bossa Nova White Fiat 500 over the next few days. I have also bought a Bilt Hamber Autoclay clay bar to give the paintwork a going over prior to attacking it with the DA. Never used a clay bar either so the next few days are going to be a proper baptism of fire for me
The paintwork doesn't seem too bad (to my untrained eyes) lol. It has what I would class as light swirl marks all over but no scratches.
I am planning to use the Orange Chemical Guys Hex Logic pad and the CG V34 jollop to correct the swirls.
If someone with a better recommendation wants to stop me from wrecking it before I have started please feel free
I then plan to give it a coat of Poorboys White Diamond Glaze with either the White? or Black? Hex Logic Pad.
Thoughts anyone
Sounds good to me, but better to start with the least abrasive polish on the orange pad and then step up to a heavier cut if required. Why not start with v36 first, which is for moderate swirls and scratches, then, after checking progress if more cut is required move up to the v34. Then step down, finally finishing with a black pad and v38.
I haven't had time to do a DA guide yet, re your comment in the other thread, but to keep you going till then........
There's loads of advice on DA polishing on places like Detailing World but also plenty of advice on this forum too in the detailing section. Some good guides here:
http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.htmlhttp://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polisher.htmlhttp://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/porter-cable-7424xp-dual-action-orbital-polisher/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.htmlhttp://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/misc/dapolishing.pdfhttp://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/car-care-advice.htmlhttp://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859%C2%A0Practicing on a lesser car or some old panels from the scrappers is worthwhile to give you a chance to get used to the weight, speed of the machine and practice your techniques and arm pressure. Here's a bit of general DA advice:
On a general polishing note, the rule of thumb is to start with the least abrasive polish and pad combination and step up from there as required by the severity of the swirls. Choose your polish first used on the least abrasive pad and if not getting required result, try next polish up on the same pad. Then if required, step up to a heavier pad. And step down when refining.
A garage or workshop is preferable especially one with a good light source so you can regularly check your progress. If you do it outside (I do), the light needs to be good and you're at the mercy of the weather. If doing it outside and over more than a day, you will need to wash the car again prior to continuing. I'm not a pro but these are my best tips:
• Assess the condition of the paintwork first in good light, so you know what is required
• Prepare the paintwork prior to polishing - tar remover, iron remover, claying etc, to ensure it's free of all bonded contaminants.
• Tape up all trim with low tack masking tape.
• Take it slowly and split larger panels up into manageable areas.
• Start with the least abrasive pad and polish combo and step up as necessary. Choose your polish first. Then the least abrasive pad, if more cut is required step up to the next pad. If a more abrasive polish is required use that again starting with the least abrasive pad.....and so on.
• Start with the correction/swirl removal polishing stage first using a cutting pad then follow with the refining stage using a finishing pad.
• Use moderate arm pressure - too light and it will have little effect, too much and you will fry your backing plate screw thread.
• Use mid speed - as too low a speed won't achieve anything.
• Always sling the DA cable over your shoulder otherwise it can drag/trail across the paintwork causing marks (just as you are trying to get rid of them!).
• Stop and inspect at regular intervals to see how you are progressing and what further is required.
• Use a good LED light source to check for swirls close up.
• Once you've primed the pad with polish make sure you place it on the paintwork before switching on DA, otherwise the polish will fling off everywhere.
• You might need to do several passes to achieve the required correction.
• After polishing use a good IPA like Gtechniq Panel Wipe to remove polish residue before going on to seal/wax the car.
Finally look on YouTube for Mike Philips (formerly of Meguairs) DA tutorials. He also has lots of good tips on Autogeek site. Great for someone new to DA polishing.