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General => Detailing => Topic started by: scottyboy08 on 12 September 2008, 17:41

Title: machine polisher :)?
Post by: scottyboy08 on 12 September 2008, 17:41
hey all as the title says lol this thread is about machine polishing...is it better than doing by hand?
if so why and which one is best to buy as i am looking into them?
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Guy on 12 September 2008, 18:19
hey all as the title says lol this thread is about machine polishing...is it better than doing by hand?
if so why and which one is best to buy as i am looking into them?

some things are better done with a machine polisher than by hand...  polishing cars for one! :wink:

best check... what do you want to achieve from your polisher... paintwork renovation or are you just lazy and cba to clean up your paint by hand?

if you're new to machine polisher opt for something that is dual action which is less likely to damage your paint...

a lot of people are going to the meguiars G220... I have one and it is very good... used with the right pad and polish combo you will be able to improve your paintwork

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=71&osCsid=bd40a290323720446c5d4a06bf93e3d2 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=71&osCsid=bd40a290323720446c5d4a06bf93e3d2)


don't opt for any of the crap that you see in halfrauds for £40...  all they do is spread polish about and impart swirls



Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Dan J on 13 September 2008, 01:21
would recomend not getting a vary speed rotary until you have experience.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Guy on 13 September 2008, 10:53
would recomend not getting a vary speed rotary until you have experience.

just to clarify scotty... there are two main types of machine polisher...

rotary - just goes round and round.. like attaching a polishing pad onto the end of a grinder

dual action - goes round and round but also varies its orbit in an ellipse so the pad doesnt stay in one spot and burn paintwork


rotary polishers are very powerful and in the right hands are very effective
dual actions are good and easy to use especially if you have never had a machine polisher before
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: MrTurner on 13 September 2008, 21:56
I've seen one of the cheap rotarys you can get off fleabay first hand.  No way for the beginner.  I'm currently practicing using a machine by applying glaze and wax by machine.  Then I'll be having a hit with the polish.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: jt1 on 14 September 2008, 15:49
I use the megs g220, and i think its great, you would'nt believe the difference it made, and it's also meant to be idiot proof hence why i bought one. :grin:
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: NewGolf on 14 September 2008, 16:31
I had a Porter Cable 7424 for a year, and found it quite useful, but it took a long time doing any "heavy" work on Audi/VW paint. I sold it on to a friend of mine, and got a rotary, the Milwaukee AP12QE. Simply AWESOME machine.   :wink:

Easy to use, nice and light and great results in a lot less time. I read up on how to use a rotary, tested and got the hang of it on my old VW daily driver, and now very happy with it.   :wink:

Can't recommend it highly enough, decided against the G220 as it has a high breakdown rate. I also have a friend who has one of the updated ones, its just popped a screw out after doing 1 panel.  :sad:
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: b300y on 14 September 2008, 20:53
i have one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Silverline-Hi-Spec-6-Speed-Trade-Sander-Polisher-5-Head_W0QQitemZ170258886076QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170258886076&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

they are brilliant 10/10 rating of me
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: 182_blue on 17 September 2008, 20:11
i just got this, not cheap but works superbly, and is a good compromise between a rotary and an orbital

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/182_blue/DSCF0635.jpg)
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: player.777 on 23 February 2009, 11:35
Are there any machine polishers out there that are cordless/battery powered?? Like a rechargeable drill or screwdriver??  We live in a flat and its a constant nightmare- no power cords near the car, no tap for a kersher washer.!! nightmare!!!
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Dan J on 23 February 2009, 17:07
thanks guy for putting the important points in there for me regarding rotarys and orbitals :wink: im lazy.



^^^unfortunatly they dont (to my knowledge anyway) make cordless polishers,
depending on how far your flat is away from your car you can buy 50+ mtrs of extention cable on a reel, thats what i use when im at customers house /flat, costing around 25/30 squids.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: player.777 on 23 February 2009, 20:45
Thanks yes I may have to go down that road I suppose- it would just mean dangling a cord out the window, but we are on the hight street!! not sure really. thanks though.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Dan J on 23 February 2009, 22:11
no probs,

i see what your saying now, health and safety would have a field day with that set up.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: stealthwolf on 24 February 2009, 20:01
Are there any machine polishers out there that are cordless/battery powered?? Like a rechargeable drill or screwdriver??  We live in a flat and its a constant nightmare- no power cords near the car, no tap for a kersher washer.!! nightmare!!!

I run a 25m ext cord from inside the house to the car.

Thanks yes I may have to go down that road I suppose- it would just mean dangling a cord out the window, but we are on the hight street!! not sure really. thanks though.
Three options:

1. get it detailed professionally (saves £££ on stuff you can't use)
2. Use a hand polisher eg AG SRP
3. Use an extension lead but polish the car ridiculously early eg 7am on a sunday, when people are still in bed and the shops are closed.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: player.777 on 26 February 2009, 02:14
Cheers guys- yes I think I'll go for option 1, and from then on, option 2, with maybe another option 1 every few months. cheers.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Frothey on 26 February 2009, 07:23
once a year would be enough!
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: T_J_G on 26 February 2009, 16:16
Think I'll be selling my Kestrel DAS-6 at some point in the near future
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Ant1981 on 26 February 2009, 20:08
would recomend not getting a vary speed rotary until you have experience.

just to clarify scotty... there are two main types of machine polisher...

rotary - just goes round and round.. like attaching a polishing pad onto the end of a grinder

dual action - goes round and round but also varies its orbit in an ellipse so the pad doesnt stay in one spot and burn paintwork


rotary polishers are very powerful and in the right hands are very effective
dual actions are good and easy to use especially if you have never had a machine polisher before

hey all as the title says lol this thread is about machine polishing...is it better than doing by hand?
if so why and which one is best to buy as i am looking into them?

some things are better done with a machine polisher than by hand...  polishing cars for one! :wink:

best check... what do you want to achieve from your polisher... paintwork renovation or are you just lazy and cba to clean up your paint by hand?

if you're new to machine polisher opt for something that is dual action which is less likely to damage your paint...

a lot of people are going to the meguiars G220... I have one and it is very good... used with the right pad and polish combo you will be able to improve your paintwork

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=71&osCsid=bd40a290323720446c5d4a06bf93e3d2 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?cPath=71&osCsid=bd40a290323720446c5d4a06bf93e3d2)


don't opt for any of the crap that you see in halfrauds for £40...  all they do is spread polish about and impart swirls





Halfords one's now are dual action, so are just as fine for the job.
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: JC on 26 February 2009, 20:10
Think I'll be selling my Kestrel DAS-6 at some point in the near future

cos its crap ?  ? ?  just wondered like cos they is cheap  :wink:
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: Guy on 27 February 2009, 17:37
Think I'll be selling my Kestrel DAS-6 at some point in the near future

cos its crap ?  ? ?  just wondered like cos they is cheap  :wink:

yeah... why?
Title: Re: machine polisher :)?
Post by: T_J_G on 27 February 2009, 18:54
Think I'll be selling my Kestrel DAS-6 at some point in the near future

cos its crap ?  ? ?  just wondered like cos they is cheap  :wink:

With my part time job and Uni work I don't get enough time to sort my own car let alone anyone elses so I'll do mine then sell it on. Very good peice of kit if you ask me!