getting started with machine buffing

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mister880

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i'm looking into getting more in depth with my detailing. in the past i've always done everything by hand - which we all know a machine polish will look better.

can i get some feedback on if these products are good to buy? this is the list i'm looking to start with.

p/c polisher:

Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher

foam pad kit (2 orange pads, 2 white pads and 2 blue pads)

Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!

meguiars 105 and meguiars 205


i always use the meguiars tech wax - which i have plenty of that stocked up already in the cabinet.

does the backing plate come with the polisher, or should i get the 5 inch backing plate as well?
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate


from speaking with a friend of mine, he stated to use the orange pads for the 105, white for the 205 and use blue for the wax.

if i get get some feedback it will be much appreciated!
 
I think you need to buy the backing plate as I don't think it comes with one.

If you want to add a little something extra, add Dodo Juice Lime Prime or Lime Prime Lite after 205 and before waxing.
 
thanks for the info - what's the dodo juice lime prime used for?
 
I would cancel the blue pads and get another orange and white instead. You can apply the wax by hand. I also suggest you consider the 4" pads along with a 3.5" backing plate for tight spots and stubborn swirls.
 
mister880 said:
thanks for the info - what's the dodo juice lime prime used for?
Click to expand...


The Dodo Lime prime lite is light paint cleaner, with no abrasive content.
Lime Prime Pre wax cleaner has abrasions to remove light defects.

And look into the Griot's polisher. I went from a PC to the Griot's, and to me so much better.
 
I used different polishes but I just finished my first ever machine polishing and had great results with the exact same products you listed. Machine and pads. :xyxthumbs:

Don't forget the painters tape. :buffing:
 
As mentioned Lime Prime and Lime Prime Lite are pre-wax cleaners. Lime Prime does have abrasives, but they are so fine they will fix any faint scratches, LPL doesn't have abrasives.
 
kronos said:
I would cancel the blue pads and get another orange and white instead. You can apply the wax by hand. I also suggest you consider the 4" pads along with a 3.5" backing plate for tight spots and stubborn swirls.
Click to expand...

I'm going to respectfully disagree. I applied Poli-Coat by hand and 2 days later used my G110v2 with a 6.5" Pad. It was WAY faster and easier to get a nice even, thin coat that was quicker to buff off then when I tried by hand. It took me less time and effort to seal a full size Dodge Ram than a 2 seat Mercedes SLK 55 AMG by hand..... Just my 2 cents worth
 
Silverstone said:
I used different polishes but I just finished my first ever machine polishing and had great results with the exact same products you listed. Machine and pads. :xyxthumbs:

Don't forget the painters tape. :buffing:
Click to expand...


definately wouldn't forget the painters tape. i have a box full of all different sizes under my work bench :dblthumb2:
 
kronos said:
I would cancel the blue pads and get another orange and white instead. You can apply the wax by hand. I also suggest you consider the 4" pads along with a 3.5" backing plate for tight spots and stubborn swirls.
Click to expand...


looks like this kit may cover this then.

CCS Spot Buffs 4 Inch Foam Pad Kit Free Bonus!

has the selection of 4 inch pads for the hard to reach areas, do you think think this will work out well?

thanks everyone for the help. i plan to order everything this week :buffing:
 
AeroCleanse said:
I think you need to buy the backing plate as I don't think it comes with one.
Click to expand...

This is correct, you will need a 5" backing plate for 5.5" buffing pads.

kronos said:
I would cancel the blue pads and get another orange and white instead. You can apply the wax by hand.
Click to expand...

How you apply wax is one of those personal preferences issues, me personally I like to do as many steps by machine as possible because when you work by machine you have equal pressure over the entire face of your foam buffing pad and when you work by hand you typically have 4 pressure points from where your four fingertips exert the most pressure to the face of the applicator pad.

Plus the "massaging action" afforded by an electric DA Polisher is in my opinion superior to what your hand can do especially at the end of a detailing session when you'll tend to be tired.

That said, I still do some work by hand...


kronos said:
I also suggest you consider the 4" pads along with a 3.5" backing plate for tight spots and stubborn swirls.
Click to expand...

Great advice!

I answered a question about maintaining "Pad Rotation" for concave, convex and tight areas on CorvetteForum last week and since the thread was also posted here on AG I posted my answer here too...

The thread is a good read, here's the link and I included lots of pictures...

Help with Buffing Convex and Concave surfaces on a Black C6 Corvette


With pads attached...
spotrepairbackingplates003.jpg






Silverstone said:
I used different polishes but I just finished my first ever machine polishing and had great results with the exact same products you listed. Machine and pads. :xyxthumbs:

Don't forget the painters tape. :buffing:
Click to expand...

Machine polishing, ESPECIALLY when it comes to modern clear coat finishes is so much more effective as well as faster than working by hand...

Man versus Machine


Taping-off saves time... and helps to prevent TOGW, even if it's you're own!

TOGW = The Other Guy's Wax
"Polishing paint is polishing paint, detailing is getting the wax out of the cracks"


Jumpingbean said:
I'm going to respectfully disagree. I applied Poli-Coat by hand and 2 days later used my G110v2 with a 6.5" Pad. It was WAY faster and easier to get a nice even, thin coat that was quicker to buff off then when I tried by hand. It took me less time and effort to seal a full size Dodge Ram than a 2 seat Mercedes SLK 55 AMG by hand..... Just my 2 cents worth
Click to expand...

I agree, it's pretty hard to beat any of the popular DA Polishers for applying either a liquid or paste wax or sealant.

How to Apply Dodo Pastes Waxes by Machine
How To Apply Mothers California Gold Carnauba Paste Wax by Machine




mister880 said:
looks like this kit may cover this then.

CCS Spot Buffs 4 Inch Foam Pad Kit Free Bonus!

has the selection of 4 inch pads for the hard to reach areas, do you think think this will work out well?

thanks everyone for the help. i plan to order everything this week :buffing:
Click to expand...

That's a good selection of pads that will tackle just about anything you come up against. I used 4" pads quite a bit on the curves of this car...

1994 Porsche Detailed for "Operation Comfort" Modeled by Brittany from Stuart, Florida


:)
 
thanks for the reply Mike - if i get a chance to log online after i get off of work today - i'll be placing the order..

(working on computers all day at work, going home to a computer is not something you look forward to doing)
 
just finished placing my order.
only thing i changed was instead of 32 ounce bottles, i ordered 8 ounch bottles of 105/205. AG was sold out on 32 ounce 105.

8 ounce bottles will last me a bit until AG is restocked i'm sure!
 
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