Chaps.

My car is two years old and for the best part, cleaned regularly. I have however noticed that swirls are beginning to appear and I have been pondering the best way to deal with them.

I'm assuming that the least labour intensive way is get get a polisher (no, I don't mean the wife) and deal with them that way?

Now I don't really want to blow oodles of cash on something that won't be used a huge amount so was wondering if anybody could recommend a low cost beginners device that would serve my needs?

I have had a look on a well known auction site and there are a fair few and as for polishing pads, well...

So, any advice would be greatly appreciated, I know meteor grey isn't the most rewarding colour to work on but I want it to look it's best.

Oh, and polishing pads as well, the paint is pretty shiny so I guess something soft?

Ramble over, go for it guys...

I know its £140 (but use DW05 code saves 5% at checkout) but this is a great starter kit.  A very capable machine, and menzerna pads and polishes.  I use the polishes and they are decent.  Never tried the pads.

 

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher-menzerna-intro-kit/prod_720.html

I got this a few months back

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-complete-sonax-kit/prod_1554.html

Head then change the pass for the hex logics (ar no extra charge) cannot wait to give the car a proper going over with it

Top advice above, DAS6 standard machine doesn't have enough grunt really. The pro is much better and definitely worth the premium. I use a rotary, which you can get cheaper, but a DA is better for glazes also, I would go down that route.

Totally agree with Stew and Jase, menzerna are decent polishes, and Hexlogic pads by Chemical guys are my choice as they last longer than the others I've used and finish really well. I have used up my last bottle of Menzerna though, and am now using Sonax and Scholl Concepts polishes as they are quicker to work with.

Personally, I would do what Stew said. Ring Tim at CYC and swap for the CG pads with the Sonax polishes. I didn't find Menzerna pads that great TBH.

Thanks guys.

Clearly my idea of 'low cost' is rather different to yours, as this will be used infrequently, I'm not sure I really want to go down the £140+ route at this time.

That said, your advice is as always greatly appreciated, thank you.

Sadly good quality machinery comes at a bit of a price. The worst thing you can do is use one of those £20 aldi two handled buffers. Will do more damage than good.

I would get a rotary if I was starting again.

They're not fire breathing monsters like they can be made out to be. I find them much better than DA's due to how smooth they are.

They're much cheaper too.

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I wouldn't go straight to a rotary without a practice panel though

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Cheers guys.

I fully accept that in life, you pretty much get what you pay for but are the rotary ones you find for £50-60 that bad?

What's the difference between rotary and da?

Sorry, numpty in the house this morning...

Cheers guys.

I fully accept that in life, you pretty much get what you pay for but are the rotary ones you find for £50-60 that bad?

What's the difference between rotary and da?

Sorry, numpty in the house this morning...

DA has two axis of movement so you don't stay on one spot too long, however it vibrates a lot. Rotary is on a single axis spinning (like a grinder) so cuts better and will be fine as long as you know the paint thickness and don't hold it in place for excessive time

Thank you for that, much clearer now.

Paint thickness, wtf, it's a Skoda, that's all I know!

Thank you for that, much clearer now.

Paint thickness, wtf, it's a Skoda, that's all I know!

 

 

When you get chance - have a read through some of the material that the members have

collected and linked into this useful thread - really good material if you are serious about your detailing.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/314504-styling-car-care-guides-links/

Thank you for that, much clearer now.

Paint thickness, wtf, it's a Skoda, that's all I know!

 

For example - answer to this question, is in the Guides thread...post #30

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/314504-styling-car-care-guides-links/?p=4389868

 

 

Hope this helps :yes:

I wouldn't go straight to a rotary without a practice panel though

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I just think it's common sense.

Start with a glaze on a soft pad, learn how to move the machine and then move onto a finishing Polish.

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Thanks for the links, all that has succeeded in doing is confuse and scare me in equal measures.

I think I will leave it, to me it simply looks like a disaster waiting to happen and I'm not prepared to risk it.

Thanks anyway guys, apologies for wasting your time.

No worries mate.

 

Machining takes a lot of prep, time and patience. It will take around 6 hours to prep and machine polish a car, probably longer. Ideally, I try to leave two days to do it on a car the sizew of an Octavia.

 

There are some really good products out there now that fill in the swirls really effectively to leave you with a really good finish. 50cal Filler Glaze, KKD Regloss, Autofinesse Ultra Glaze, etc. There are plenty. Stick a decent wax over the top and you will be good for a couple of months.

Thanks buddy, I will see how I get on taking the cowards route.

If you ever wanted to try it, I'm sure someone on here wouldn't mind helping out.

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If you ever wanted to try it, I'm sure someone on here wouldn't mind helping out.

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Exactly this - sounds like you could do with a try before you buy; and get confident that its something you would use.

 

It is a worth investment to have the kit there and pick up and use it when needed.

Over the term of a few cars, helping family or friends - it makes the purchase worth while.

 

The chaps here are all very helpful and will assist if local or even sending some products samples in your direction.

Thanks buddy, I will see how I get on taking the cowards route.

 

It's how I started.  A basic DAS6 - and my Dad's Golf! 

 

It's all a learning curve - fairly steep, but is very rewarding once you are at the top of the curve.  I like to think the curve never really peaks though and every day is a school day (so to speak).

 

Paint depth gauge becomes a fairly important tool in the end.

I think guys this is something I need to research in far greater depth before I take the plunge.

There is a financial consideration, a potential damage implication plus I rather stupidly didn't realise it took so long!

Neil has kindly given me a steer on some suitable glazes which I can use while I expand my detailing knowledge base.

I luckily had a DAS6-PRO bought for my birthday last year. Had never used a machine before.

Went to my local scrap yard, bought a panel, compound, polish & tape and locked my self in the garage.

Did a lot of research and watched far to many YouTube videos on how to.

Now done a few cars with cracking results. Same with everything. Practise will make perfect buddy.

Hope you get sorted in the mean time

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argos have a da for £55 in the new catalogue, not sure on quality though.

argos have a da for £55 in the new catalogue, not sure on quality though.

 

Link added...

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4645777.htm

 

argos have a da for £55 in the new catalogue, not sure on quality though.

Nice spot Stew!!!! Thanks for the heads up and thanks for the link Ste!