Polishing Without The Desired Result

[Trough Lolly]

the mothers 3 step kit will not remove swirls/scratches.. its a polish and protectant package basically.

you need some meguiars cutting compound such as Meguiar's Swirl X, bear in mind this will strictly do basic things like spider-webbing and swirls, it will not remove the tiny scratches, for something harsher to cut them out youll need to step upto something like Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Medium Cut Cleaner.

if you dont want to stay with mothers brand, try something from zas.com or waxit.com they have the worlds most quality products and youll achieve far far better results.. and to be honest, the quality stuff isnt a hell of alot more than your quality mothers/meguiars products!

Goodluck!

[XR6TWolf]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Some really interesting reading.

I admit to knowing less than nothing about grooming and simply took the advice of the guys at Supercheap who swore by the Mothers stuff as the cure to the swirl issue. :tosser:

So obviously now the thing is to hit it with a product more suited to the purpose.....heading off to waxit to hammer the credit card now.

The one thing I havent seen much consensus on is the issue of machine polish vs hand polish.....am I risking anything by using a random orbital?

[Chich]

a machine polish is fine, but personally I would always prefer to do it all by hand, never used an orbital to polish, and never will, if I ever seriously need to do a proper cut and buff, I will use a speed variable buffer only (the type spray painters use) but unless you seriously need it, I wouldnt bother. as the others have said, buy yourself a good quality polish, and set yourself a day to do it. be patient, and you will find what works for you.

[our06t]

as said orbitals are best left to sanding wood

[Mr Man]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Some really interesting reading.

I admit to knowing less than nothing about grooming and simply took the advice of the guys at Supercheap who swore by the Mothers stuff as the cure to the swirl issue.

So obviously now the thing is to hit it with a product more suited to the purpose.....heading off to waxit to hammer the credit card now.

The one thing I havent seen much consensus on is the issue of machine polish vs hand polish.....am I risking anything by using a random orbital?

no major risks with a Random Orbital.

as said orbitals are best left to sanding wood

lol you have less chance of burning the paint with a Random Orbital than you do with a rotary polisher... and you will get way more of the swirls out that you CANNOT do with a hand polish...

Edited 30/06/09 05:29 AM by Mr Man

[Chich]

lol you have less chance of burning the paint with a Random Orbital than you do with a rotary polisher... and you will get way more of the swirls out that you CANNOT do with a hand polish...

I've yet to see a swirl that cannot be removed by hand, deeper scratches (not deeper than clear) will be easier to remove with a machine polish, but it all depends on what product you use.

[Full Monty]

Sorry guys, but allot of people speaking from inexperience, saying "random orbitals" no good for polishing, leave it to woodworking etc.

Some of the best auto polishers are Random orbital, and forced rotation orbital. Brands such as Festool, and the Bosch Professional range such as the "GEX150 turbo", make brilliant auto polishers. Less risk of burning paint, or over correcting than the rotary polishers.

Rotary polishers are perhaps left to the professional, or experienced detailer due to the ability to easily damage paint if used incorrectly.

But you will get a 5x better result at minor corrections, swirl removal and polishing using a random / forced orbital polisher than by hand, in a fraction of the time. You'd have to be really trying to damage your paint with a random, its very hard to build up that amount of heat.

I polished my car by hand for years, great work out, but average results and very time consuming.

I now use a Forced rotation Bosch GEX150T and Menzerna polishes, Zaino sealants for a much much better result in a fraction of the time.

Edited 30/06/09 06:06 AM by Full Monty

[ms700]

Rotary polishers are perhaps left to the professional, or experienced detailer due to the ability to easily damage paint if used incorrectly.

I use orbital polishers on black cars all the time, they are great, but you need the experience, and the knowledge of what product to use and when.

[our06t]

not saying machine polishers don't have there place , but with out a lot of experience or buying top end machines wich can be a bit exxy for the odd car polish ,doing it by hand is a safer option that won't end in frustration

maybe just me but I spent 12 years in carpentry using electric sanders/polishers etc , I'm still yet to polish a car succesfully with one (and no not with sand paper on it)

[chippa]

Everyone has there own perceived idea on which is the best approach and that's fine...I can assure you though,as stated variable speed random orbitals are not that hard to learn how to use,do your home work on how to use them and you will be impressed...

doing paintwork correction by hand is rewarding I guess for the effort but that's what machines were made for...to make life easier for us,I have done it both ways,and I know what I would prefer then again 23 yrs in the cabinetmaking trade helps...I would hate to have to hand sand every bit of solid Jarrah cabinetry that I make...

As mentioned Dave from Waxit site can be very informative that's where I go for all the good stuff like Poor boys,Zaino etc...P.S a half decent orbi will set you back around $300...

Edited 30/06/09 10:17 AM by chippa