Polisher Suggestions For A Newbie?

So I found this deal locally (I'm sure prices will be more then what you guys would pay in the USA) I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this. Originally found it on Amazon.ca however they wanted $60 shipping so I found the seller and they are providing free shipping if you order from their website.

LINK REMOVED IN VIOLATION OF FORUM RULES
 
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bryanviper said:
So I found this deal locally (I'm sure prices will be more then what you guys would pay in the USA) I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this. Originally found it on Amazon.ca however they wanted $60 shipping so I found the seller and they are providing free shipping if you order from their website.
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if you didn't already know, links to outside competitors are not allowed. btw, sales are going on here at AG all the time...
 
Didn't even think of that sorry,

As for the sales going on at AG it does not benefit me because I'm in Canada and with the way our dollar is there is no reason to buy from the USA as I would pay much more.

VISITOR said:
if you didn't already know, links to outside competitors are not allowed. btw, sales are going on here at AG all the time...
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I would suggest getting 2 more pads of each of those colors.
 
If you want a machine that is more comfortable to use go with the Cyclo Pro. It is a versatile machine because if you upgrade your polisher someday you can use it as a scrubber and it will last a generation or two.
 
Why do you suggest that? Is it because they do no last that long? How many cars could I polish before they should be replaced?

The kit comes with - 1 ORANGE, 1 WHITE & 1 BLACK LAKE COUNTRY CCS FOAM PADS

I have also seen microfiber pads, what would those be used for? & should I invest in one or 2?

Thanks


Puckman said:
I would suggest getting 2 more pads of each of those colors.
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Great recommendations from all around on this thread, especially on the pads. It's always good to have a few extra.

I started with the PC which turned out to be an overall good work horse. Over time I've added the Flex 3401, GG 3" and then the Rupes 75 mini. I am now looking into the Rupes 15 Mark II. Based on everything I've read so far, this could end up being my primary polisher.
 
This is what happens when you don't change or have enough pads, my first time ever polishing my truck I did 3/4 of a full sized truck with out changing or even cleaning the pad..

View attachment 41007
 
bryanviper said:
Why do you suggest that? Is it because they do no last that long? How many cars could I polish before they should be replaced?

The kit comes with - 1 ORANGE, 1 WHITE & 1 BLACK LAKE COUNTRY CCS FOAM PADS

I have also seen microfiber pads, what would those be used for? & should I invest in one or 2?

Thanks
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Yes check out Mikes video for sure. I started with one of each and it went south quick. I was glad I caught it when I did. After 3 panels, I melted the velcro on the backing plate and destroyed a brand new pad before watching that video. I have a few special pads that I don't use very often so I only have one of each; however I have 6 of each for my main compound and polish pads.
 
Priyaka said:
You are definitely going to need more than one orange and one white pad to polish a car.

Here is an an article by Mike Phillips that addresses this exact question:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-how-many-pads-do-i-need-buff-out-my-car.html
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:dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::iagree::iagree::dblthumb2::dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

In fact... you are going to need MORE THAN ONE PAD just to polish the HOOD!


If you are not using FIFO (First In - First Out) and using a pad for a few sections, while cleaning on the fly, then tossing it in a bucket of pad cleaner, you will need more like 8 to 12 to compound a full sized SUV.

It is unrealistic to think a single foam pad will be able to hold up for a hood, much less an entire vehicle. While it's really hard to do serious damage to paint when PROPERLY using a DA style machine... it is VERY EASY to do damage when IMPROPERLY using the same machine.

Pads build heat...
Backing plates build heat...
The combination of the two will melt BOTH!

Using a melted pad on your paint will cost you thousands more than spending an extra $100 buying the proper amount of pads going in.
 
So a little update,

I ended up buying the

Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher 3rd Gen (10ft cord)

The kit comes with:
- 1 ORANGE, 1 WHITE & 1 BLACK LAKE COUNTRY CCS FOAM PADS
+ SONAX PROFILINE EX-04-06
+ 3 PACK SONAX ULTRAFINE MICROFIBER TOWEL
+ PAD CLEANING BRUSH

I have already used it to Polish my rims and all I did was use the black Pad and it took out almost all of the scratches. Very happy with it so far. Also did my moms rims and took out some minor marks/scratches also.

Thank you all for the great info.
 
So i'm looking to buy more pads now to get ready for the Spring/Summer. I will be polishing the following 3 cars.

2007 VW GTI (Grey) - Paint is in good condition probably only needs black pad and wax to make it look good as I had a stage 1 polish done to it last summer.

2011 VW Jetta (White) - Has some minor swirl marks from washing but again nothing serious, White pad at most I would think?

1991 GMC Safari (Grey) - Terrible shape, this will be my tester car as its my dads. I will post some pics below so you can see how bad some of the paint it. This will probably need at least the Orange pad?

For a beginner like me so you think these pads are best? Just get a few of each? Or should I be getting any other colors?

Thanks
 
I purchased the Harbor Freight 6" Dual Action Polisher and paid $56. I recently saw that it is going on sale on March 1st for $49. From Looking at both this one and the Porter Cable, I'm guessing that there isn't a whole lot of difference (other than the PC costing twice as much). I read all the reviews on the HF site and based upon those recommendations, also bought a 5" backer pad (for $12 on amazon). The chief complaint was that the HF foam pads are 6" diameter, but only have a 5" hook and loop disk. This causes the hook portion of the backer pad to chew up the foam (or so I read). I've used the 5" backer pad with the 6" HF pads, and it has worked perfectly.

Keep in mind I bought it simply to maintain my own cars. If I was operating a detailing company I wouldn't even consider a HF tool. From everything I've seen the Rupes polishers look amazing, but at $400, I didn't even contemplate it.
 
bryanviper said:
So i'm looking to buy more pads now to get ready for the Spring/Summer. I will be polishing the following 3 cars.

2007 VW GTI (Grey) - Paint is in good condition probably only needs black pad and wax to make it look good as I had a stage 1 polish done to it last summer.

2011 VW Jetta (White) - Has some minor swirl marks from washing but again nothing serious, White pad at most I would think?

1991 GMC Safari (Grey) - Terrible shape, this will be my tester car as its my dads. I will post some pics below so you can see how bad some of the paint it. This will probably need at least the Orange pad?

For a beginner like me so you think these pads are best? Just get a few of each? Or should I be getting any other colors?

Thanks
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I suggest you do a test spot on each car to see if you are obtaining the desired results based on your combination of pad, product and technique. If you are not getting the desired results, then you know that you will either need to change pads/polishes, or refine your technique.
 
Good point that's probably a better idea. I'll have to do that in the spring/summer once it starts to warm up.

Thanks

Priyaka said:
I suggest you do a test spot on each car to see if you are obtaining the desired results based on your combination of pad, product and technique. If you are not getting the desired results, then you know that you will either need to change pads/polishes, or refine your technique.
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No.... The chief complaint about HF pads is they are JUNK. :rolleyes:

One day I had a expensive detailer hand me one to use (on a Lexus), and not even half way through the section (on the roof) it literally was coming apart so bad it was like snow falling in the clients garage! :eek:

Sent from my Trio 7.85 vQ using Tapatalk
 
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