Author Topic: DA polisher and product  (Read 6346 times)

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
DA polisher and product
« on: 24 April 2021, 21:00 »
Hi, I’m looking for recommendations for a good DA polisher and product for getting rid of swirling. Thanks.
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline Watts

  • Forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 4,575
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #1 on: 24 April 2021, 21:08 »
Now I haven't any personal experience but this machine and pad combination gets well reviewed and has been recommended on here: https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-pro-meguiars-microfiber-system
2019 Oryx White 5dr TCR.

Was - 2015 Tornado Red 3dr GTI PP, manual, Santiagos, Audi short shifter.

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #2 on: 25 April 2021, 08:10 »
Now I haven't any personal experience but this machine and pad combination gets well reviewed and has been recommended on here: https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-pro-meguiars-microfiber-system

Thanks Watts 👍🏻😉
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline SRGTD

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,674
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #3 on: 25 April 2021, 16:14 »
Now I haven't any personal experience but this machine and pad combination gets well reviewed and has been recommended on here: https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-pro-meguiars-microfiber-system

I have a DAS-6 Pro polisher. It’s a very good machine for anyone who’s new to machine polishing.

The Meguiars Microfibre System at the link posted by @Watts gives very good results and did a good job of tackling light swirl marks I had on my car. The only real negative I found was that the pads needed cleaning very frequently as they become clogged with polish residue quite quickly. After I’d used the Meguiars Mcrofibre System, I’d say that the condition of my car’s paintwork was better than it was when I took delivery of the car 2.5 years earlier.

I’ve also used Chemical Guys V36 and V28 and Poorboys SSR1 and SSR2 polishes. Both brands seemed to perform equally well. As for pads; with the Chemical Guys and Poorboys products, I tend to use pads from the Shinemate Black Diamond range.

When talking any machine polishing work, always start with the least aggressive polish and pad combination so you don’t remove any more clear coat than is necessary. If that doesn’t achieve the desired outcome, then move up to a slightly more aggressive polish and pad combination.

2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline Kpow99

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 218
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #4 on: 26 April 2021, 09:55 »
Now I haven't any personal experience but this machine and pad combination gets well reviewed and has been recommended on here: https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-pro-meguiars-microfiber-system

I have a DAS-6 Pro polisher. It’s a very good machine for anyone who’s new to machine polishing.

The Meguiars Microfibre System at the link posted by @Watts gives very good results and did a good job of tackling light swirl marks I had on my car. The only real negative I found was that the pads needed cleaning very frequently as they become clogged with polish residue quite quickly. After I’d used the Meguiars Mcrofibre System, I’d say that the condition of my car’s paintwork was better than it was when I took delivery of the car 2.5 years earlier.

I’ve also used Chemical Guys V36 and V28 and Poorboys SSR1 and SSR2 polishes. Both brands seemed to perform equally well. As for pads; with the Chemical Guys and Poorboys products, I tend to use pads from the Shinemate Black Diamond range.

When talking any machine polishing work, always start with the least aggressive polish and pad combination so you don’t remove any more clear coat than is necessary. If that doesn’t achieve the desired outcome, then move up to a slightly more aggressive polish and pad combination.

Great info, thanks very much, appreciate it  :smiley:
2019 TCR, Pure Grey, DCC/PP Revo Stage 1

Offline willni

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,434
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #5 on: 26 April 2021, 19:27 »
As someone that cleans cars professionally I would advise against the DAS-6 polisher, not that it's bad but a 3 inch is more suited for a golf. It's got a lot of tight areas and awkward curves that mean a 5-6inch polisher won't correct, as it won't rotate.

On that basis I'd recommend the below:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164004906524?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=164004906524&targetid=1140298852493&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045185&poi=&campaignid=12126078222&mkgroupid=117237236135&rlsatarget=pla-1140298852493&abcId=9300480&merchantid=113617740&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyZmEBhCpARIsALIzmnKB3wLD9m1tESvnVZuCPiOP9dr98dLerEzbME6t4X3udVL3Q0t8huYaAkx4EALw_wcB

or if your budget allows I use the Rupes Version.

https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/collections/polishing-machines/products/rupes-da-high-performance-lhr75e-bigfoot-mini-polisher-kits

With regards to pads and polishing compounds:
Light swirls to medium swirls - Rupes Yellow pad - Koch Chemie P3.01- Machine speed 50%
heavy swirling and some deeper defects - Rupes Yellow Pad - Koch Chemie F6 - Machine speed 65%

To finish it off just a bit of Collonite or Autoglym Ultra HD Wax or whatever you have lying around already.

The most important thing that not many people will tell you is to make a bright coloured single line mark on the backing plate, I use blue masking tape. This allows you to watch the pad and make sure it's spinning, because if it's not spinning it's not correcting the paint and you're wasting your time!
« Last Edit: 26 April 2021, 19:31 by willni »
Mk7.5 GTI - Performance Pack, DSG, Sunroof, Dynaudio, Pro Nav, Vienna Leather, Climate Windscreen & last of the 3 doors....Many Sets of Alloys...

Prev - Mk7.5 White Silver, Vienna Leather, Sunroof, Helix Sub, Many Wheels

Follow my 7.5 build on the forum https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=287596.msg2638666#new or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/willy_gti7.5pp/

Offline SRGTD

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,674
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #6 on: 26 April 2021, 21:08 »
@willni; good advice on putting a mark on the backing plate - I’ve done this on mine and it is a useful check to make sure the backing plate and pad are rotating correctly.

I have a couple of 3” backing plates and a selection of spot polishing pads that will fit onto my DAS-6 Pro Polisher. Admittedly, even with the 3” backing plate and a spot polishing pad, it’s not possible to machine polish some areas - e.g. the recesses behind the door handles - but most areas of the car can be tackled.

I dare say if I did car detailing for a living then I’d upgrade and invest in something like a Rupees Bigfoot for large panels and a Rupees Mini Bigfoot for the more intricate panels. However, I’m just a detailing hobbyist who machine polishes their car probably once every 18-24 months. With the amount of use my DA gets, the DAS-6 Pro with a selection of small and large backing plates and pads meets my needs.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline willni

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,434
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #7 on: 26 April 2021, 21:25 »
@willni; good advice on putting a mark on the backing plate - I’ve done this on mine and it is a useful check to make sure the backing plate and pad are rotating correctly.

I have a couple of 3” backing plates and a selection of spot polishing pads that will fit onto my DAS-6 Pro Polisher. Admittedly, even with the 3” backing plate and a spot polishing pad, it’s not possible to machine polish some areas - e.g. the recesses behind the door handles - but most areas of the car can be tackled.

I dare say if I did car detailing for a living then I’d upgrade and invest in something like a Rupees Bigfoot for large panels and a Rupees Mini Bigfoot for the more intricate panels. However, I’m just a detailing hobbyist who machine polishes their car probably once every 18-24 months. With the amount of use my DA gets, the DAS-6 Pro with a selection of small and large backing plates and pads meets my needs.

Door handles just a bit of heavy compound on a microfibre very quickly gets rid of them  :smiley:

I didn't know the Das-6 could use 3 backing plates, it would meet most peoples needs in that case. The detailing world is very expensive for those starting out in the hobby, so I always think it's very important to give people good start.

BTW Polish Angel Cosmic Spritz is a great maintenance detailer / wax

Also these with a bit of Autosol will make light work of your exhaust tips when the time comes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133582467711?hash=item1f1a22b27f:g:zhAAAOSwDHtft5Ph
« Last Edit: 26 April 2021, 21:29 by willni »
Mk7.5 GTI - Performance Pack, DSG, Sunroof, Dynaudio, Pro Nav, Vienna Leather, Climate Windscreen & last of the 3 doors....Many Sets of Alloys...

Prev - Mk7.5 White Silver, Vienna Leather, Sunroof, Helix Sub, Many Wheels

Follow my 7.5 build on the forum https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=287596.msg2638666#new or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/willy_gti7.5pp/

Offline SRGTD

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,674
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #8 on: 26 April 2021, 21:35 »
@willni; good advice on putting a mark on the backing plate - I’ve done this on mine and it is a useful check to make sure the backing plate and pad are rotating correctly.

I have a couple of 3” backing plates and a selection of spot polishing pads that will fit onto my DAS-6 Pro Polisher. Admittedly, even with the 3” backing plate and a spot polishing pad, it’s not possible to machine polish some areas - e.g. the recesses behind the door handles - but most areas of the car can be tackled.

I dare say if I did car detailing for a living then I’d upgrade and invest in something like a Rupees Bigfoot for large panels and a Rupees Mini Bigfoot for the more intricate panels. However, I’m just a detailing hobbyist who machine polishes their car probably once every 18-24 months. With the amount of use my DA gets, the DAS-6 Pro with a selection of small and large backing plates and pads meets my needs.

Door handles just a bit of heavy compound on a microfibre very quickly gets rid of them  :smiley:

I didn't know the Das-6 could use 3 backing plates, it would meet most peoples needs in that case. The detailing world is very expensive for those starting out in the hobby, so I always think it's very important to give people good start.

BTW I've heard the Gyeon Q2 Wax is very good if you do need one, but needs topped up every 3 months.

Also these with a bit of Autosol will make light work of your exhaust tips when the time comes https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133582467711?hash=item1f1a22b27f:g:zhAAAOSwDHtft5Ph

I need to try and stop reading those sections of posts where people are giving recommendations on products as there’s a danger I’ll buy them! :grin:. I’ve made a commitment to myself not to buy any more waxes or sealants until I’ve used up my existing supplies.

Collinite 845 Insulator Wax is my ‘go to’ wax; it’s effectively the liquid version of Collinite 476S, so being a liquid it’s easy on, easy off. It has good durability too - I’ve found it gives good protection for around 6 months or longer.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline willni

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,434
Re: DA polisher and product
« Reply #9 on: 26 April 2021, 22:57 »
I need to try and stop reading those sections of posts where people are giving recommendations on products as there’s a danger I’ll buy them! :grin:. I’ve made a commitment to myself not to buy any more waxes or sealants until I’ve used up my existing supplies.

Collinite 845 Insulator Wax is my ‘go to’ wax; it’s effectively the liquid version of Collinite 476S, so being a liquid it’s easy on, easy off. It has good durability too - I’ve found it gives good protection for around 6 months or longer.

Majority of my stuff is ceramic coatings now, but for a wax the cosmic spritz is next level for looks  :wink: collonite is still extremely good but like everything it just depends on how well the paint was prepped for maximum gloss :smiley:
Mk7.5 GTI - Performance Pack, DSG, Sunroof, Dynaudio, Pro Nav, Vienna Leather, Climate Windscreen & last of the 3 doors....Many Sets of Alloys...

Prev - Mk7.5 White Silver, Vienna Leather, Sunroof, Helix Sub, Many Wheels

Follow my 7.5 build on the forum https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=287596.msg2638666#new or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/willy_gti7.5pp/