First polisher for a weekend warrior

tommygee

tommygee

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I'm ready for my first polisher. Strictly a weekend warrior with one car to take care of. I clay and use the Klasse twins and top with a few coats of 845 3 times a year. The first two times was fun. But the last time I was getting a little tired of hand applying all those coats and buffing them out. So it's time for a polisher. I was reading about the HF polisher on another thread. I'm also looking at the PC 7424XP and maybe the Mikita. I know I'll use this more than 3 times a year but is it worth it to spend the extra $ or just go with HF polisher with better backing plate and pads? I hate going low cost because every time I do: I end up SPENDING MORE! What do you think?
 
Griot's Garage 6". The price, ease of use and warranty are 2nd to none, great customer service too!

You can applyeverything with it except KSG, stick with hand application there, not even worth it with a machine as it will go on and come off w/o even seeing it, LOL!


Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
Klasse Act said:
Griot's Garage 6". The price, ease of use and warranty are 2nd to none, great customer service too!

You can applyeverything with it except KSG, stick with hand application there, not even worth it with a machine as it will go on and come off w/o even seeing it, LOL!


Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
Click to expand...

:iagree:
 
I started with a PC7424xp, but wish I would have spent the extra for a Flex at the time. The vibrations from the PC will make your hands/fingers hurt for days after. lol
 
Harbor Freight DA with a 5" backing plate
 
From your post it sounds like all you need is a wax spreader unless I missed something. Just spreading sealant and wax? Machine polisher is overkill for 3 times/year. Spreader Much cheaper than machine polisher.
 
If I had to do it again I would get the rupes or flex as my first machine.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 
Caution - This is the way Detailing Addition manifests itself...After many years you "suddenly" NEED equipment, tools and products!! :laughing:

All of the machines available through Autogeek are without question the finest you'll find anywhere. Will you be satisfied with a Flex 3401 or Rupes LHR 15ES? I hope so because these are the among the finest machines available today. If money's not an issue then add one to your cart and don't look back..

Realistically though, could you achieve identical results with something like Porter Cable 7424xp or Griots RA? Yes you can and without breaking the bank. Both machines are durable and comfortable.

Foam Pads

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.[FONT=&quot]
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If money no object Flex 3401 VRG. I started with a PC 7424XP and was extremely happy with that. You can't go wrong with that and they have quite the selection of backing plates so you can pick and choose the size of pads.
 
weekendwarrior said:
From your post it sounds like all you need is a wax spreader unless I missed something. Just spreading sealant and wax? Machine polisher is overkill for 3 times/year. Spreader Much cheaper than machine polisher.
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I will also do some correcting and I can always mess around with my kid's car. Plus since this is my hobby I want to take it up a notch.
 
I always say, can't beat a Griots 6". Price, warranty, and its a powerful little sucker.

If you want to go big, Rupes Duetto
 
BobbyG said:
Caution - This is the way Detailing Addition manifests itself...After many years you "suddenly" NEED equipment, tools and products!! :laughing:

All of the machines available through Autogeek are without question the finest you'll find anywhere. Will you be satisfied with a Flex 3401 or Rupes LHR 15ES? I hope so because these are the among the finest machines available today. If money's not an issue then add one to your cart and don't look back..

Realistically though, could you achieve identical results with something like Porter Cable 7424xp or Griots RA? Yes you can and without breaking the bank. Both machines are durable and comfortable.

Foam Pads

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
Click to expand...
Thanks Bobby. I'm kind of leaning that way. And I appreciate the detailed advice on pads. That's right I'm hooked on this too!
 
To apply (or remove) wax, one doesn't need a $300+ Flex Machine.

I've seen Craftsman-Waxcoa Orbitals at the local thrift shops for $5 skins.

One can get the bonnets for them almost anywhere.

And don't say the old Waxcoas won't last, I got one that's over 25 years old, I can go tomorrow, and wax an entire chevy dealership's inventory with it, and come out with it working fine for another 20+ years.
 
I'm a weekend warrior myself and went with a GG 6" as my first polisher and love it. Good price, nice power, and a great warranty. I also went with the 5" backing plate as most have recommended here. If you've never used any polisher before like me, any polisher offered on AGO will bring a smile to your face after that first correction, it just depends on your budget.
 
Reptitive threads here. Are you young enough to get full value out of the Flex before you are too old to polish your car? I'm perfectly serious. If you are more than 45 years old I'd get something else.

Do you do enough to justify the cost? I'd say for the name brand machines, you should have two cars to do three times a year. Less than that, get the Harbor Freight machine.
 
Tommygee,
I was in your situation about a month ago. I read every article on here and listened to everyone's comments. Compared all the DA's and their prices to one another. Consequently, I decided to buy the Flex 3401. I had a little buyers remorse while it was being shipped. The day it arrived I put it to use and was completely blown away by it as the Flex is a complete work horse. I am glad I bought it and look forward to using it more (when the weather improves a bit more in Connecticut). Granted I have 3 vehicles to do but the Flex does not disappoint.
 
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