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General => Detailing => Topic started by: dom on 20 March 2011, 12:54

Title: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: dom on 20 March 2011, 12:54

Ok, so thought i'd give this machine polishing malarkey a try! (A big thanks to Dan - Purple Haze, for all the advice!).

I've only got pictures of the final result but the full process took about 10 hours and went like this:

Began with attacking the wheels with Bilberry wheel cleaner diluted approximately 1:4. Next up was foaming the car with Magifoam, this was rinsed off and the car was then washed using the 2 bucket method and Chemical Guys shampoo.

The whole car was then patted dry using a couple of waffle weave drying towels. Next up was the clay, I opted for Megs clay and Megs quick detailer as lube. Once clayed the car was put into the garage and I began taping sections up.

I used Lake Country pads and Menzerna final finish PO85, approximately 4-5 passes with each pad. Following this was a hand application of Dodo Juice Lime Prime Lite and finally the car was sealed with 2 coats of Colinite 476s.

The trim was treated with Autoglym trim care stuff and the glass was polished with Autoglym glass cleaner.

Here are the results:

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1640.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1644.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1650.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1653.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1655.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1658.jpg)

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy183/codling1234/DSC_1651.jpg)

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: JDM82 on 20 March 2011, 13:25

The car looks great mate  :smiley: It just shows how worth while it is to invest in a DA polisher.

Ive just ordered my DA kit and after seeing your results I can't wait to have a go.

Yeah mate Im really impressed  :smiley:

After years of hand work  :wink: are you glad you decided to get a DA polisher?

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: Dan J on 20 March 2011, 13:38

 :wink:  nice work Dom :cool:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: waxamomo on 21 March 2011, 20:19

Great work, paintwork looks stunning, well worth the effort  :smiley:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: jmsheahan on 21 March 2011, 20:38

Nice work, that's come up gleaming!

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: dom on 21 March 2011, 21:01

Cheers for the comments guys! It's still surprising me 2 days later :grin:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: FOREST GREEN on 21 March 2011, 21:27

Well done that man...........

Now watch how p*ssed off you get when you see the tiniest mark on it  :grin:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: Rhyso on 23 March 2011, 16:35

Stunning  :cool: :cool: :cool:

Can't beat a freshly polished car :afro:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: gti gaz on 26 March 2011, 21:12

looks sweet dude have done all mine by hand and taken ages will be getting a polisher as soon as i can afford one



good work

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 26 March 2011, 21:30

That really does look the nuts mate.  :wink:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: Toby on 27 March 2011, 13:38

that looks real good bud!! i did mine yesterday with a machine polisher! took fookin ages.. i taped up everything aswell!! and mines red! i keep smiling now too!

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: mellow yellow on 18 May 2011, 15:42

just a quick q dom, did you manage to remove all swirls with just the menz finishing polish? i'm looking at getting a few products and was looking into a more abrasive compound to use first?

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: dom on 18 May 2011, 19:54

Quote from: mellow yellow on 18 May 2011, 15:42

just a quick q dom, did you manage to remove all swirls with just the menz finishing polish? i'm looking at getting a few products and was looking into a more abrasive compound to use first?

Hey, the P085 removed around 60% of the swirls so no not really. I have since got a more abrasive Menz polish to try but haven't had the time to try it yet. I'd opt for a more abrasive one (possibly PO203 - I'm sure someone will confirm) as well and use the P085 to finish with :smiley:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: mellow yellow on 18 May 2011, 21:06

coolio, got them both on my shopping list and a few pads and a rotary coming from the gf for my birthday.

cheers dude.

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: dom on 18 May 2011, 21:36

Quote from: mellow yellow on 18 May 2011, 21:06

coolio, got them both on my shopping list and a few pads and a rotary coming from the gf for my birthday.

cheers dude.

No probs - enjoy :grin:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: Ninj on 20 May 2011, 00:34

Just note if you are using the polishes with a rotary vs a DA - the rotary will be more aggresive and therefore requires a bit more caution.

Obviously it wont strip paint to bare metal if you so much as blink (like some peeps would have you believe), but if you are using a rotary, step up through polishes and pads with a bit more thought than a DA.

I'd add though my Golf has very hard paint - you'd be a complete chopper to burn through it with anything so it's a balance of time and effort

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: milla-82 on 20 May 2011, 18:14

looking good  :cool:

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: GJSEB79 on 20 May 2011, 20:45

looks awesome, quality job there what da are you using cheeers gordon

Title: Re: My first machine polishing attempt!
Post by: dom on 20 May 2011, 23:01

Quote from: GJSEB79 on 20 May 2011, 20:45

looks awesome, quality job there what da are you using cheeers gordon

Cheers! Kestrel DAS-6 :wink: