electric polisher

[Rakey]

Well I have done a search and read a few threads, but not really found all the answers I want.

I have received an Electric Polisher for Christmas, now I have always heard stories about these things damaging paint work etc.

Here are my questions.....

1) does anyone have one of these?

2) does it give a better result than hand polishing?

3) does it use more polish?

4) do they damage the car and paint

5) will it save time?

I hope some one can tell me more about it, should I use it, or should I put it on e-bay?

[ayn]

I and a lot of hardcore detailing folks swear by our Porter Cable random orbital polisher... that's the only machine I would use on my cars myself. I think any random orbital polishers would be okay, other more powerful stuff should be left to the pros...

--Andrew

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by ayn

I and a lot of hardcore detailing folks swear by our Porter Cable random orbital polisher... that's the only machine I would use on my cars myself. I think any random orbital polishers would be okay, other more powerful stuff should be left to the pros...

--Andrew

Couldn't agree more. Even though I'm not hard core.
You will see better results most if you use natural waxes.
If you're using synthetics I don't think it makes much or any difference.
One tip. Get in the habit of keeping the cord over your shoulder. This keeps it from dragging on the car.
OK, another one. Buy spare bonnets and pay the bucks for good ones.
OK, OK, just one more I promise. Keep them marked and seperate. If you ever use one for a cleaner keep using that one for a cleaner.
Oooh, Ooooh I lied, here's another. Don't use fabric softener when washing. Nasty stuff.
All done

[swamos]

I've got a "electric polisher" too. It all depends on the type. You've got to have a proper polisher. IE, one that has adjustable speeds. Mine ranges from 900 to 3000 rpm. Mostly I use it at 900 or 1200. If you just get a adapter for a drill, then that is bad, as they spin too fast, and you'll only have to hover over a section for a little while, and you can burn the paint

The guide is, polish in a cool area, and then while you are polishing, if the surface feels anything past warm, you're in danger.

Also get good polishing pads. Meguires make them. Don't use too much product, or you will end up with it everywhere, like in door jams, and with little white spot overe everything which is a right pain to get off.

But in sumary, I don't use mine anymore, as it doesn't really get any better results than "hand polishing" if the surface is in good condition. I only use mine if I have a surface defect that I want to get out, or I do something stupid and volunteer to do someone elses car that is in a mess

[CurtP]

I haven't used mine in years. The only time I do use it is when I'm trying to get swirls out of paint, and even then I don't use it any more than I have to. I stopped using the wool bonnets and have switched to the foam ones, and use 3M Perfect-It products.

I also get all my products from automotive paint supply stores where they carry the professional stuff; it often costs the same or less than the junk they sell in places like Pep Boys.

If your paint is in good shape, then there is no reason to use a buffer. You will end up using more product and it will get slung all over the place making clean-up a bit of a chore. I find I get better results from claying instead of using a buffer. Buffers can be very dangerous to paint if you don't know what you're doing!

[Rakey]

hmmm. still convinced that I should be keeping or using this polisher?

Oh to give you guys a bit more info, it has no cord and is rechargable, and I will be using it with meguirs.

So will it be better than when I do it by hand? If not can't see the point in taking the risk with it, as I do actually enjoy polishing and waxing my car by hand at the moment.

thanks

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

hmmm. still convinced that I should be keeping or using this polisher?

Oh to give you guys a bit more info, it has no cord and is rechargable, and I will be using it with meguirs.

So will it be better than when I do it by hand? If not can't see the point in taking the risk with it, as I do actually enjoy polishing and waxing my car by hand at the moment.

thanks

I got one as well, I think I'll use it only on the wifes car, I agree with that you cant beat a good hand job comment (on the car that is )

[Surfboy88]

I've got an electric buffer and I never use it either. Like others have mentioned, it slings compound all over the place. With so much black plastic on the Mini, it would show up everywhere and be hard to remove.

Save yourself a lot of cussin' and just wax it by hand. It's such a tiny car, it doesn't take that long.

I usually wash my Mini at home and head to a nice scenic spot by the bay (see my gallery), crank up the music, and I'm done in no time.

I have to admit that sometimes it takes a bit longer, because the tourists down there want to stop and ask questions about the car. I'm always happy to chat about my Mini.

[LMB]

I'd check out the Meguiars web sites:

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/
http://www.teammeguiars.com/getschooled.asp

They give you tips on how to use them.

[ayn]

For claying and waxing, you can do it by hand, unless you use a liquid wax like the Griot's BOS, then u can use it with a random orbital without wasting too much wax... I use BOS wax and P21S Carnuba, and when I use the P21S I do it by hand.

For polishing, I cannot imagine doing by hand. I use Griot's Machine Polish #3 and 2, and then back to #3 to finish it up, it takes me about 2 hours to do the entire car (maybe only 1.5 hr for the MINI), with the Porter Cable, if I do that by hand, I don't think I would be able to move my arms the next day...

--Andrew

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

I can't believe it took till post 7 to get a comment like that

I sort of guessed you were dangling some bait

You throw em I'll hit em

[Rakey]

theres nothing like a good waxing

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

theres nothing like a good waxing

Can't believe the tone of this thread, complete waxer

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

I got one as well, I think I'll use it only on the wifes car, I agree with that you cant beat a good hand job comment (on the car that is )

Hmmm.... Yes, this sounds like a beat up

Look, if it runns off batteries, I can't imagine it would do too much damage. If the paint is in good condition, just do it by hand. It will build u muscles that you can use for other things, like driving

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

Hmmm.... Yes, this sounds like a beat up

Look, if it runns off batteries, I can't imagine it would do too much damage. If the paint is in good condition, just do it by hand. It will build u muscles that you can use for other things, like driving

its got rechargeable packs like you get on drills and other tools, so not quite batteries like a remote control. Oh and it can run off the cigarette lighter too.

So still concerned about using it, really don't want to find it make the job harder or that it damages my car.

Any more advice and opinions please?