Should I buy a DA polisher ?

dave_from_here

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Hi everyone

The more time I spend on this forum the more I wonder if I should buy a DA polisher. I already own a couple of circular polishers and know how to use them. But I have never tried a DA.

So I would like to know if their would be any beneffits in getting a DA since I already have circulars.

Thanks guys
 
I know a lot of people that have a circular for corrections. Then use a DA(flex) to finish down.
 
If you are happy with rotaries then stick with them, if you choose to move toward a DA then the only choice you likely would be happy with is the Flex IMO.
 
If you are happy with rotaries then stick with them, if you choose to move toward a DA then the only choice you likely would be happy with is the Flex IMO.
:iagree:

Also if you dont like the weight of the Flex your next bet would be a Griot Garage DA. But if you are good with using a rotary and can finish up nicely with on then stick to it.
 
If you are happy with rotaries then stick with them, if you choose to move toward a DA then the only choice you likely would be happy with is the Flex IMO.

I would second that. I started with the PC XP as my first machine. After 2 cars I realized I wanted something more powerful. I ordered the LW 3403 and after finally getting to use it for 10 minutes I so glad I got it.

However, I haven't gotten my skills fine tuned where I want them and can still see some swirls. So I ordered the Flex 3401. My hope it's going to be a better machine for me to finish with.

I'd be using it right now and have something to post this afternoon if packing hadn't forgot to include my 6.5" pads I ordered with the kit. :doh:
 
Sully has a lot more experience than I but I had the same question.

However, an AG rep explained to me they could go over a car in about 3 minutes with a machine. Plus put the product on a lot thinner and reducing waste. I tried it with my a DA last week and I think I had to agree. I did a crew cab F350. I took more than 3 minutes but not much longer. I'd say it probably took me 1/2 of the time as previously when we did it by hand.

I'm sure it's different for everyone but no I can't see a reason why you'd need DA over a rotary.
 
I would second that. I started with the PC XP as my first machine. After 2 cars I realized I wanted something more powerful. I ordered the LW 3403 and after finally getting to use it for 10 minutes I so glad I got it.

However, I haven't gotten my skills fine tuned where I want them and can still see some swirls. So I ordered the Flex 3401. My hope it's going to be a better machine for me to finish with.

I'd be using it right now and have something to post this afternoon if packing hadn't forgot to include my 6.5" pads I ordered with the kit. :doh:
You got a Flex 3403 and couldn't finsh down, so why didn't you use your PCXP instead of getting another machine (3401)? I guess you love polishers. I guess I don't have room to talk as I have 4 polishers myself (PC, New Griot, Makita, Flex 3403).
 
No need to apply LSP with a DA. I like doing it by hand. faster and easier if you ask me.

I've always done LSP's by hand as well. But I thought it could have made a difference with a DA. Like I said I have no experience with a DA. I've learned how to polish with a rotary (B&D/Dewalt and air powered ones) and I was wondering if a DA should be part of my arsenal.

I guess not

Thanks guys :buffing:
 
You got a Flex 3403 and couldn't finsh down, so why didn't you use your PCXP instead of getting another machine (3401)? I guess you love polishers. I guess I don't have room to talk as I have 4 polishers myself (PC, New Griot, Makita, Flex 3403).

I was going to exchange the PC XP but actually ended up selling it to a friend who just wanted a DA. I wanted something a little more powerful than the PC, ie faster. From what I've read the 3401 is the best alternative to a rotary. However, today with the right backing plate and 5.5 CCS pads I was able to finish down a lot better than my first try. I'm getting ready to post the second part of my experiment today.

Hehe, you have 4. My philosophy is it can't be the operator, it has to be the machine so keep buying until I find one that works. (I wish that were true!)
 
Just to chime in...

I think there are some procedures best done with a rotary buffer and some jobs done best with a dual action polisher.

When I lived in California I would often times have to drive 100+ miles to get to a customer's house or shop to work on their car, that's partly my fault because I lived in the High Desert and all the cool cars are down in the valley, or what we in the desert would say, down the hill, (The Cajon Pass).

Point being, when packing my truck to drive to a customer's location to work on their car I would pack both a rotary buffer and a dual action polisher, not just one or the other. That's a long drive one way and you never know what you're going to need until you start inspecting the condition of the paint and then doing some testing.

Doing all your finishing work with a rotary buffer will tend to leave swirls in the finish. We have a couple of resident rotary buffer professionals that promote apparently can buff all paint systems all the time with nothing but a rotary buffer but they are the exception, not the rule.

For most people, doing the correction work with a rotary and then doing the finish polishing with a DA polisher and applying the LSP by hand or with a DA Polisher is a time proven approach as proved and demonstrated by these to recent threads.

4 Part Process Still Has Swirls?

And this one,

What am I doing wrong - Holograms after using the rotary buffer


In both threads, the original poster was trying to achieve a 100% swirl free finish and it wasn't until they changed the action of the tool were they able to reach their goal.


What kind of tool you need depends upon what kind of work you're doing. If you doing nothing but production work then you can get by with just a rotary buffer.

Me personally, I like to have access to both a RB and a DA style polisher and wouldn't go to a job without both loaded and ready to work.

Both the new PC 7424XP and the GG ROP are great tools with tons of power, in fact I've posted here twice now that using good technique they actually work like a rotary buffer without the risk of instilling swirls. The new G110v2 looks like it's going to be a competitor for these tools also but it's too new at this time for any kind of qualified judgment.


:)
 
Just to chime in...

For most people, doing the correction work with a rotary and then doing the finish polishing with a DA polisher and applying the LSP by hand or with a DA Polisher is a time proven approach as proved and demonstrated by these to recent threads.

:)


I guess that's what I had in mind. So I'll look into borrowing a DA to test it out and after I'll make a descision. If I decide to buy I'll just have to figure out how to pass this one by the secretary of finance (girlfriend). lol
 
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