Whay type of Polisher should I get?????

[Newkie]

Well, I have finished the job. Not bad with what I had to work with. I do still have a little bit of orange peel left to contend with on the left fender. After I used the Scratch X, I am having problem sanding the peel out now that its slick and smooth from the polishing. I will work with it later. The rest of the car came out as good as the body work and paint job would let it. I'm not disappointed or anything just wish it had turned out a tad better.
Anyways, thanks for all the help with the posts. It helped.
And all done with no sanding or polishing burns...

Newkie

 

[Norm73B]

As the question is about the unit and I did professional detailing for a while I might add a couple of thoughts to this discussion.

Variable speed right angle polishers with a minimum speed of 1100 to 1200 rpm are the best for buffing, cleaning, removing swirl marks etc. Occasional users should not run more than the 1100 to 1200 rpm speed to avoid over heating and damaging the paint. Remember paint is only a few thousands of an inch thick and you can burn through faster than you can blink. I would also recommend that an occasional user use only foam pads, 3M are very good, as they are are more tolerant of mistakes than wool bonnets.

Random orbital polishers are best used to apply wax after the surface has been prepared with the angle tool. They are great for this purpose, again get foam pads if you can (they are hard to find but worth the effort). Wash the foam by hands and let air dry completely before storing and they will last a long time. I still like to do small sections and hand buff them to remove the haze. It may be a personal thing but I love the feel of the finish as the cloth removes the haze and the smoothness of the finish comes through.

The angle polisher is a heavy tool and will prove tiring if your are not used to it but the results are fantastic. The orbital tool is for keeping that finish in tip top shape. The orbital is great for the final coat of wax and for annual or semi annual cleaner wax. You don't want to use the angle polisher more than necessary as it removes some finish every time you use it.

For our daily drivers, here in Canada I find I need to use the angle polisher every couple springs as the road grime and salt make quite a mess. Thereafter, I use the orbital to apply cleaner wax each spring and fall until the finish needs the full deal again. Our B needs to be refinished so it does get the big job yet but with occasional, good weather use a proper job will last a long time. Keep the wax on as it protects from UV as well and air pollution and road debris.

I hope this helps, there is a great finish in every paint job if you are careful. If you ever get to see a pro buff out a car it is an experience that will leave you amazed. I am not that good but the above will certainly help everyone get results.

Norm

 

[rick_ingram]

I am going to be polishing my new paint job in a few weeks. Should I go with a <span style="font-weight: bold">7" angle</span> polisher, or go with a <span style="font-weight: bold">10"</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">orbital</span> polisher? Or maybe a different size if you think?
Harbor freight has a 7" angle for 29.99 at the moment and Walley World has the 10" Orbital for 23.99. It would be nice to have variable and the Orbital doesnt (3200rpm). The 7" only comes in two speeds. I think (2400, 3400). Also is their a good polishing compound that you like?

Thanks

Newkie

Mine was a little too powerful...or maybe the compound I was using was a little too gritty...just look at what it did to my sills!

 

[kennypinkerton]

:lol:

 

[PC]

... I am having problem sanding the peel out now that its slick and smooth from the polishing. ...

That’s very odd. I’ve never experienced nor heard of sanding being difficult on a polished finish.

.... I'm not disappointed or anything just wish it had turned out a tad better....

Luckily, unlike balancing a crank or porting a head, it’s easy to go back later and play with more polishing whenever you feel like it.

...And all done with no sanding or polishing burns...

Good job. Since you haven’t damaged the film it’s your choice whether you want to go back and refine it.


PC.

 

[TRDejaVu]

I used a Porter Cable 7424 with Poorboys products on the "$50 roller paint job", then Meguiars products to finish.

Obviously not a professional paint job and I presume that you have base coat/clear coat, but for a driving non trailer queen I am quite happy with it.

 

[kennypinkerton]

you put that paint on with a roller?

 

[TRDejaVu]

Yep, using Rustoleum Pro. There are a couple of old threads about it. Not for the purists, but it worked for me, although I have now come across a way to make it even better during the painting process.