Feeling nervous about polishing my car

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Testosteroneod

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I'm new to this hobby. In the past I washed my vehicles with a bucket of water with some dish soap and an old wash mitt and dried it with a bath towel. I've since bought my first new car and a black one at that. The dealer installed swirl marks that I want to get rid of.
This started an expensive journey of ordering many many products (all Chemical Guys). In addition to all of that stuff I've bought a Rigid vac (6hp I think) with the auto detail kit. Also a PC 7424XP. I have 2-3 of each color Hex-Logic pads. MF applicators, around 16 CG microfiber towels, waffle weave drying towels....I think I've bought most everything I would need.....
Yet despite all of this money spent and reading this forum (also bought Mikes book the other day and just started it today) I'm still very nervous about putting that polisher to my paint. I have visions of deep scratches and burnt paint.
Do I have anything to worry about??
 
I had a 7424.

You will have a very hard time making a mistake with the 7424 that you can't fix with a 7424.

Have Fun!
 
Gain confidence with a finishing pad and polish. It will amp up the gloss and keep an eye on the swirls.
 
The only damage a Porter cable will do to your paint is if you actually drop the entire tool on the paint. ;) You'll be fine, relax and have fun!
 
The learning curve with the pc is little to none. I started with a pc as well and I feel very confident using it now. You will do just fine, just remember the test spot and apply everything you saw Mike doing.
 
I wouldn't used anything stronger then your favorite polish along with a polishing pad. Then seal with a paint sealant and your good to go.

The only way I can see you messing up your car is if you let go of the pc and just let it go wild..:buffing:

Otherwise your good to go..:dblthumb2:
 
^ that or letting the pads pick up dirt from the floor, and then putting it on your paint. (Dirt)
 
The PC was my first real polisher and I still use it today. Although it is now my glazing and waxing machine (upgraded to a Flex 3401). It is probably the safest polisher you can start out with. It is because of this that it is a very popular tool. I have been able to get a great shine on even a black Corvette with this polisher.

Things to remember with the PC 7424
Make sure it is OFF when you plug it in.
Buy some gel-filled weight lifting gloves if you plan on using it for a long period of time. It shakes. A lot. After several hours you won't be able to pick up a pencil.
Use the squishy side with the pad to polish with, not the hard plastic side.

Start around 4200 OPMs with a finishing pad and polish. Your chances of harming the paint with a PC on any modern paint is near zero. You should not have any worries with this machine.
 
A few weeks ago, I was in the same position. After watching Mike's video's and reading hundreds of threads here I took the plunge.

As others mentioned, a DA is a pretty low-risk way to go. I acutally ran my first practice on a "disposable" car. My daughter's old beat up Subi was my first run prior to taking it to the newer cars my wife and I drive. The results were amazing, and I think I'm now ready for the other cars. If you have a friend/family member with a beater, it might be worth doing that vehicle just to get comfortable with everything.

Now that I've got one car under my belt, I can't wait to do more. I'm sure you will to once you see how good the results can be with minimal risk and less effort. Nothing like the pro's here...but pretty darn good.
 
You would have to work hard to burn paint with a PC. You will be fine just take your time and go for it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
 
Its possible to damage a car with a PC, but unlikely. Most noobs go the other direction (I was included). The don't put enough force on the polisher and just end up with a shiny surface with no defect removal.
 
Like others have mentioned, yes you can damage your paint with a PC but it will take some time, patience and "correct technique" to do. It's not easy to damage your paint with it.

However, to help you ease your anxiety... do the following....
Put on the heaviest cut pad you have and put it on the PC. Set the PC setting to the highest at 6. Run the machine against your hand. Did it hurt? Little discomfort I imagine due to the friction and possible heat but there should be no pain unless you ran it for a minute or so on the same spot. It's the same thing on your paint. If it won't hurt your skin, it won't hurt your paint.

However run it on the same spot for a while and yeah... it will hurt and yes it will damage your paint. But we know better than that.
 
Ok. Thanks for be support. I have to take the car back to the dealer this weekend for them to replace some trim that's very scratched and etched. I will though, practice on my work vehicle.
 
The only real way to damage the paint with a PC is:

1. By dropping the tool on your paint.

2. By getting dirt on the pad

3. By letting go of the tool and letting it run rampant over the car's surface

4. By forgetting to put a pad on the backing plate

PC's are practically moron-proof, heck *I* use one just fine and get great results, THAT should be proof enough for you :xyxthumbs:
 
Dont sweat it to much, just make sure to follow the basic steps and take your time.

Start off on a flat panel like the hood, work a small area and get down the form :xyxthumbs:

Also watch out for the backing plate on areas like around mirrors as it is possible to get nicked by the backing plate.

my biggest mistake my first time was not turning off the DA before pulling it off the paint :bash: happened like 3 times
 
Also cover up/avoid trim and crevices, will make cleaning the polishes residue so much easier, that and burning corners and edges...

I haven't tried it with a PC yet, and won't unless I have a test panel, so I am not fully sure how much damage a PC can truly make

View attachment 20532

Tape up, the time process, will save you a lot of time for cleaning up.

IMO
 
Testosteroneod said:
Ok. Thanks for be support. I will though, practice on my work vehicle.
Click to expand...

You will ge the hang of it QUICK! Good choice of practice vehicle. Do a test spot starting with least aggressive and work your way up. You will be comfortable by the end of the first vehicle. :props:
 
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