Calling all machine polishers!!!

[ALBEEEEY]

so I usually detail by hand and seem to get quite good results for a car with 12 previous owners 


sorry only picture I have!!


but anyway my Dad has just fished this out for me, he bought it a while ago and never used it. His words "it'll be fine just don't push too hard"  though it better to get some advice from the pro's

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500002951&langId=-1&searchTerms=MACHINE+POLISHER#pdpFullProductInformation

I know it's pretty cheap but can I use it without burning or messing up my paintwork? I've read the guide to machine polishing on detailing world and it just goes straight over my head  no idea what they are talking about . . .
anyway it's got a synthetic and a wool head and thats pretty much it?

shall I just forget using it and get back to the elbow grease? 

[Panthera]

That polisher looks just like a rotary polisher for 'polishing' and one that is very likely to damage the paint.  If you want to get a machine polisher you would be far better off with a DA (Dual Action) machine - one that orbits. Something like Megs G220 ver.2, Kestral DAS-6.

The whole point of a DA machine polisher is to rid the top coat of swirls marks and scratches by corrective polishing using some form of cutting compound product.

These machines are, I am told and have I read are very easy to you and safe, so long as you have common sense and read all about the method in machine polishing.   

Also see here: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=225616.0


 

[scarr89]

Do not buy it. That looks just as bad as the halfrauds special! Get a DA polisher with a compliment of pads and polish. You may have to save up for a bit but you will get a far better outcome and your car will thank you for it, by hopefully not breaking down!

[ALBEEEEY]

dad bought it ages ago but seeing as it's described as "a turd" in that link it's not going anywhere near my paint 

[ALBEEEEY]

Another quick one, if I do save up for one of the ones you suggested will I see a noticeable difference between that and hand polishing? Like a big big one?

[scarr89]

Another quick one, if I do save up for one of the ones you suggested will I see a noticeable difference between that and hand polishing? Like a big big one?

You won't notice a massive one, but it will shine better for sure...it will also take you a fraction of the time of hand polishing!

[JC]

Another quick one, if I do save up for one of the ones you suggested will I see a noticeable difference between that and hand polishing? Like a big big one?

You won't notice a massive one, but it will shine better for sure...it will also take you a fraction of the time of hand polishing!

I disagree. you will notice a big difference.  And NO i dont use one, but the 2 specialists that come into my place do, and they use a PROPER DA one.

try doing this by hand



 

[scarr89]

Depends on the state of the paintwork in the first place, OBV above the paint was horrible and faded. But your paintwork doesn't look faded!

[Jimble]

If you have swirl marks in your paint then you will not get the same quality of finish by hand that is achievable with a DA.