Scared to death!

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skenzer

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Hi everyone....

I'm interested in picking up either the PC or UDM machines but am absolutely scared to death of using one. I'm afraid I'll fire it up and completely trash my paint. Either burn it, or scratch it beyond belief....you name, I'm scared of it

Should I be? Are they really easy to use and pretty much idiot proof? How do they handle around corners and edges?

thanks for your support!
Brad
 
You sound like me a few months ago. Trust me, they're really easy and virtually idiot proof.
 
Thats where I was about 1 year ago. You just need to learn a little more about this subject. First of all you dont have to worry about burning your paint with a orbital buffer like the PC or UDM. And you dont have to worry about scratching your paint at all. If you are going to get a machine go with the UDM over the PC its better. The UMD is almost an idiot proof machine along with other random orbitals. They handle fine and you dont really need more than a few hours practice to really get the hang of it, its cake trust me. There is no possible way you can do any real damage to the paint unless if you hit the car with it. The only thing I ever worry about is dropping it on the car or having the cord knock something over. GET ONE. You will thank me.
 
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Thanks you guys! Now should I get a kit? My car's paint is overall in very good condition. Some swirl marks but nothing horrible to speak of.

thanks
Brad
 
Poorboys kit w/ buffer is a great kit for novice and professional alike. Everything needed but car wash soap. Works well together, and you'll love the outcome. I highly suggest it.
 
Do a little leg work and find out which is the cheapest route right now... The kits are good bargains, some more than others. When I bought mine I ended up getting the PC by itself and then a kit with several pads as well as the XMT pad cleaner and conditioner. That was just what worked out as the best deal at that time due to sales. I'd suggest deciding on a game plan - which pads do you think you'll need, which polishes, etc. and then just add up the costs of the different combinations you can find that meet your needs.
 
I think the pc type machines are pretty safe. I don't worry about causing damage when things are working properly. My biggest concern is some sort of pad or backing plate failure. I only hope I can react fast enough if it happens.
 
skenzer-n.t.w.= not to worry.

You can do it.
 
PhaRO said:
My biggest concern is some sort of pad or backing plate failure. I only hope I can react fast enough if it happens.
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That thing is moving so fast you cant react quick enough but keep your finger on that power button just in case.
 
I am a UDM noob and I have had fun using it :). Don't worry man! I was scared too, but it's just something new and some people are skeptical about it. When I read that it is pretty much paint burning proof and safe for the super noob, I felt better. Just make sure you watch a lot of videos, the ones on AG and also on this site: Paintcare & Detailing - Enthusiasts guide to detailing it also has the Autogeek videos in there.
 
Sounds like everybody is on the same page here....my confidence has been boosted...thanks! :cheers:

So let's say I go with a UDM pr PC, I could see using it twice a year maybe? I assume it's not good to over clean/wax your ride? If it's fun enough to use I could see myself waxing my car every weekend.
 
While you don't want to over POLISH your paint, I think it's pretty hard to over wax it. Eventually depending on the product you'll see a diminishing return as you layer some waxes or sealants up to the point where it actually starts to detract from the appearance. Then it's time to strip it off and start over. I don't usually use my PC for applying wax though, I enjoy doing that by hand. Still, I find I use the PC more than once or twice a year because once you see the kind of difference it can make, you'll be offering to do your friends and families cars.
 
skenzer said:
Sounds like everybody is on the same page here....my confidence has been boosted...thanks! :cheers:

So let's say I go with a UDM pr PC, I could see using it twice a year maybe? I assume it's not good to over clean/wax your ride? If it's fun enough to use I could see myself waxing my car every weekend.
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You mean you don't wax your vehicle every weekend? :D just teasing.

As for the PC/UDM purchase we were all at the point of being scared of using a machine on our vehicles. I know I was. PC/UDM or any DA machine are super easy to use. Like everyone has said, there is no way you can damage your paint. Give it a try and you will see that once you have detailed your vehicles you'll want to detail more vehicles and that's when the fun beggins :righton:

Besides, who wants to live with fear ;)
 
I posted this before and hope to get a response this time.

I too am looking to buy a UDM but have some troublesome tendonitis in my right elbow and wondering if the vibrations over hours of use to polish paint will aggravate it too much...

Do some of you in here have elbow tendonitis issues (especially long-term detailers) to where I may want someone to polish it for me once or twice a year allowing me to continue having fun maintaining the washing/waxing/sealing by hand.

Thanks again.
 
ricka said:
I posted this before and hope to get a response this time.

I too am looking to buy a UDM but have some troublesome tendonitis in my right elbow and wondering if the vibrations over hours of use to polish paint will aggravate it too much...

Do some of you in here have elbow tendonitis issues (especially long-term detailers) to where I may want someone to polish it for me once or twice a year allowing me to continue having fun maintaining the washing/waxing/sealing by hand.

Thanks again.
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Don't have tendonitis so I can't offer an opinion on how much a UDM will aggrevate it but one idea I had would be to located a local detailer (the one you would choose to polish your vehicles) and explain the situation. Maybe he'll let you use one of his machines on a panel or two?
 
I guess you would not be a good candidate for Fear Factor. ;) You would have to try pretty hard to mess up your paint with a PC or UDM. Just don't let go of it, drop it on your car or hold it in the same spot for 1/2 hour and you should be ok.
 
Nica said:
You mean you don't wax your vehicle every weekend? :D just teasing.

As for the PC/UDM purchase we were all at the point of being scared of using a machine on our vehicles. I know I was. PC/UDM or any DA machine are super easy to use. Like everyone has said, there is no way you can damage your paint. Give it a try and you will see that once you have detailed your vehicles you'll want to detail more vehicles and that's when the fun beggins :righton:

Besides, who wants to live with fear ;)
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Carlos..what a powerful statement! I know the only way to screw up paint using a UDM..glue sandpaper to your backing plate and go wild!!:D
 
richy said:
Carlos..what a powerful statement! I know the only way to screw up paint using a UDM..glue sandpaper to your backing plate and go wild!!:D
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Don't forget to spray QD first, and you'll be WETSANDING!! :p JUST KIDDING!!!
 
alban61 said:
Don't forget to spray QD first, and you'll be WETSANDING!! :p JUST KIDDING!!!
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LOL! You can also "polish" your car with the bare backing plate...that'll be sorta like sanding :p

ricka: Sorry, I can't say anything about the vibrations irritating your elbow, but it does vibrate. I would think that your elbow would get irritated..Have you ever tried out a pc?

skenzer: After you use an abrasive polish to take out your swirls, you can do a maintenance paint cleaning. You can do this more often than swirl removal. You can take a polishing pad or finishing pad, and use a chemical cleaner such as Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion, P21S paintwork cleansing lotion, XMT 360, Klasse AIO, etc. This will be an upkeep for your swirl free finish and will remove old layers of wax and sealants. Some of them have fillers as well.
 
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