machine polishers

[robbo51]

Great post Andy

This will help too.....if you read this:
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...ishing-do.html

[Chris_Blue]

Cracking guys- thanks

[CliveP]

Great post Andy.

To add - the other down side with the wool mops, etc - whilst they can correct well, they remove far more clearcoat than needed - If I can correct something with just removing 1 micron that's all I want to remove - I've seen people remove 5, 10 microns, or more, smile at their great finish (which they've probably achieved) but they've sacrificed clearcoat unnecessaraily - not my approach. As Andy says there's all sorts of techniques to master and like a lot of things the 80/20 rule applies. On the back to basics course we give a simple overview and a play with the machines, I take three of mine along for people to try plus Mark's (Autobrite) machines gives people different ones to try. But in that basics introduction people typically decide which they prefer - some prefer rotaries and never go near a dual action machine. So they get an introduction where they can go away and do a pretty decent job on their own cars (machining is a small part of our course, we wanted to concentrate on the market all other detailers courses seem to miss - the 'basics'). Then people can spend as long as they like learning more and more, part of the fun is experimenting.....I call it 'chasing perfection' and I love it (Beefmasta even quoted me on it as he heard me say it when I was doing his car, lol) - I think for me it's also because I can stand back and see what I've done, my 'day job' doesn't allow me that pleasure..... when I've seen a super car at a show and think 'I did that' I smile, sweetly, sometimes thinking no one else knows I did that sorry waffling on....

Go for it Chris, nice little inexpensive hobby (in my view) in terms of £s, just a lot of investment in terms of time.....but very, very rewarding...

Regards,
Clive.

ps all my neighbours' cars are available for testing I have keys for some of them so I can move them onto my drive whenever I want to

[robbo51]

Thanks too Clive
I fully agree that minimum Clearcoat removal is key to successful polishing
I always start with the lightest cut polish and pads I have.
My rule of thumb...It takes time to correct paintwork.....so take plenty of it and don't be tempted to cut corners by using a heavy cut
Take Honda paint as an example...known to be very soft and often thin....All that's needed is a finishing pad and some 3M Ultrafina
OK Citroen paint is harder, but that illustrates, that all you need, is a light cut and plenty of time to achieve results....
Valeters never have the time, so cut corners and remove too much
Mazda paint is very similar to Honda's
Here is a MX5 I polished with that combo:




Took me two days!!

[Clean Your Ride]

Valeters never have the time, so cut corners and remove too much

Took me two days!!

Sound advice Chris. Proves the difference from discussions the other day between a valet and a detail.

[Joeauger]

I could read these posts all day!
I really need to buy a polisher and give it ago. Just a bit scared on using it on the new car!

[CliveP]

Nice Honda Chris

I did a 1996 Mazda MX-5 a few years ago and loved doing it - was a very dull racing green and came out lovely (can't find the pics now as in the office and have to remind myself where they are!).....it was so soft it hologrammed really easily and it took a lot of burnishing to get it spot on.

Ah well could talk about it all day. Instead I have about 12 people to help with detailing in a week's time

Right, back to other addiction - business ......

Regards,
Clive.

[Clean Your Ride]

Just get a scrap panel to practice on first. Then when the time comes use a DA with the least abrasive pad and polish and work up from there. Shinearama near me have regular open days where machine polishers can be "played with" on an old bonnet to give you an idea of what they are like. Do you have any detailing shops/companies in your neck of the woods?

I quite fancy moving up to a rotary now after getting a feel for it at said open day. Totally different feeling animal than a DA in my opinion.

[robbo51]

If you use a DA Polisher with light cut pads and polish and take your time you cant really go too wrong
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...shing-do.html#

[robbo51]

Get yourself over here and I'll give you a tutorial with my Rotary.....lol
I find that the small pads are easiest to use with a rotary....but takes longer

[bluenose62]

I'm in the same boat as some of the others too, I had a go at machine polishing with Clive on the B2B course at Autobrite, but don't have the confidence to have a go yet. What we need is a Autobrite machine polishing course, as I think after another day or so, I would be prepared to take the plunge. I think what is also very unclear is what pad/polish combo to start with, there is so much on the market.

Gary

[Chris_Blue]

Is it necessary to go on a course, or can I just but a machine and go for it?
On an old panel to start obvs- I mean how much of a balls up can be made, and how many flying hours needed