If you have to hand polish (I don't trust myself with a machine !) do you polish in circles or in straight lines ?

Chris

both apparently

I'm not exactly an expert in this by any means, but I always try to go in circles in any areas that are big enough to do circles, and only go in straight lines where you can't go in circles like the roof pillars and front bumper.

Don't think it really matters that much, what is key is getting the product evenly distributed and spread across the panel(s). Using a circular motion will ensure that areas are covered more than once thereby ensuring coverage.

I always do straight lines or close to as possible (ie front wings, etc...) but you might want to do straight lines with light pressure up and down and then left and right initially to get even coverage and then either continue with straight lines, circles or a mixture of them both (whatever your most comfortable with). 

Just buy a DA

Its not difficult and you cant really do any damage with a DA........and its a lot lot quicker

Just buy a DA

Its not difficult and you cant really do any damage with a DA........and its a lot lot quicker

 

Im seriously thinking of this too

 

Ive seen the Kestrel das6 for about £70-80 but the Pro is quite a bit more

 

Is it worth the extra for a beginner to machine polishing?

Only get the pro if you're going to do correction polishing on a more regular basis...

But it is worth the extra price

The standard is fine for a beginner

Thanks for the info

Just buy a DA

Its not difficult and you cant really do any damage with a DA........and its a lot lot quicker

Stop it, need to resist....

Im seriously thinking of this too

 

Ive seen the Kestrel das6 for about £70-80 but the Pro is quite a bit more

 

Is it worth the extra for a beginner to machine polishing?

Oh god is that all, this resisting business is getting hard.

Sun was out the other day and the bonnet revealed some swirls to me :(

Sun was out the other day and the bonnet revealed some swirls to me :(

 

Same here...

 

Looked like a mini Torvill and Dean had practiced the Bolero on it :(

Damo.... CYC and iShine both had good deals on DAS6 Pro recently. Around £99 delivered I think.

Once you start with a DA you are unlikely to go back. So invest in a decent model if budget allows.

As a counter opinion to that, I would say....

It really depends what you are looking to do.

People seem to be fixated on `correction`.

I just want to polish my car so it shines nicely.

I did buy a DA (Megs 220) quite recently and I've used it twice on my car.

My technique might be all wrong of course, but to be honest I found it a bit of a pain and I probably did more harm than good.

I'll probably go back to doing it by hand.

Just my personal experience and opinion of course.

Regards

Mike.

A DA is good for applying sealer and wax too...with the right pad

Of course......cleaning the paint ready for any LSP is another application

Same here...

 

Looked like a mini Torvill and Dean had practiced the Bolero on it :(

Other Head units are available

I think the machine polisher represents the same issue for some that snow foam does. Especially people who don't maybe have a good garage and drive to set up detailing base camp from.

It is the space and set up time required for a detail using the machine. Not time once in use.

Also good hand polishing technique can be enough for maintenance in between correctional polishing.

I hand polish/paint cleanse or glaze using small overlapping circles making sure I apply correct pressure for the product, the correct applicator material and focus on working all areas adequately and thoroughly not rushing. Just doing this alone with autoglym super resin polish can give great results.

If you want to correct paint using something like Gteqniq P1 prepare to have to spend some serious time at it.