Bought a DeWALT DW443 Dual Action Sander/Polisher! Help...

[sohail99]

OMG!!! Finally found some really good news!!

Check this out -

Auto Detailing Guide

I guess it should work!

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by sohail99

While I was doing that test with 8" pad on the back of my hand, I applied quite a bit of pressure and the unit didn't seem to bog down!!
(will check it with the pads anyways!)

It's not bogging down you want to worry about it's pad rotation under pressure.

[sohail99]

I tried it on with a big 8" pad and it did seem to stop rotating under pressure!!

I also saw a few videos of PC7424XP pad rotations and I feel that DW443's rotations are quite less!

I've dug up a few articles claiming that this can do a great polishing job

For example - Is the Dewalt 443 ok?

And these

Is the Dual-Action Polisher Safe? - Page 5 - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online

3rd post from the top - DA rotating speed - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online

Swirl pics before/after

I think it needs some oiling as its backing plate is no rotating as freely as it does in a PorterCable!

I cant wait for my pads to arrive so that I can get down to doing a test spot with it!

[nirmaljusdoit]

Hi Sohail !

Looking at the various links you've posted , i guess the DW 443 should do the job to a fairly acceptable extent !

Regarding the throw of 5mm, which would result in :

- Smaller orbit resulting in a jiggling motion - more vibration
- Larger orbit helps to cover more area faster

Above is my understanding, request Mike & other experts to share their view too

Another question for the experts, can it remove the deeper scratches too ?

[sohail99]

Hey! Nice to see you here !

Check this out - Is the Dewalt 443 ok?

I'll be removing a sanding seal and doing the pressure test and free rotation test again!

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by nirmaljusdoit

Another question for the experts, can it remove the deeper scratches too ?

To remove deeper scratches you will be more effective to work by hand than a DA Polisher like the Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's Garage DA Polishers, here's why, I posted this in another thread yesterday...

Below Surface Contaminants?

Originally Posted by Mike Phillips

Ultimate Compound by hand is the best hand applied scratch remover at this time that I've tested. Here's how to use it...

How to use a hand applied abrasive polish or paint cleaner by hand


For deeper defects it more effective to remove them by hand because you can exert a lot of pressure to the affected area with a couple of fingers. With a polisher all the pressure is spread out over the entire face of the buffing pad.

RIDS - The Definition of RIDS and the story behind the term...

[sohail99]

I opened up the backing plate and removed the sanding seal!

That seems to have solved the problem!

Now it rotates at a really high speed!!(before removing that, you could see the white mark while it was rotating at the highest speed)

Now its like super fast. Also, the plate continues to freely rotate after the unit has been switched off!(Just as in the PC video)

I'll do a pressure test next and report back!

The sanding seal that I took out


Backing plate and fan/counterweight assembly without the sanding seal


The sanding seal was actually pressing on the backing plate, which in turn was rotating way slower than it should've been.

Check out the pics before sanding seal removal here

[Kevin Brown]

RIGHT ON!!!

I still have mine apart from when I took the pics in the MOL thread.

I will also leave out the white ring... to juice 'er up, so to speak.

Way to be creative !!

[sohail99]

So I got my pads and Menz PO85RD and I got down to doing a test spot on my hood!

(My hood is already in impeccable condition with very slight micromarring!)

First I stripped the sealant/wax off the paint with IPA(50/50) and then when it stopped beading, I got down to polishing!

I used 6.5" LC white polishing pad with the DW443 and Menzerna PO85RD.
I misted the pad with a lil' UQD and then applied PO85rd in a circular pattern on the outer part of the pad.

Then I spread it around on the panel with the polisher turned off and then with the polisher turned on at 2 setting.

After spreading, I increased the speed to 4(equivalent to 5 in PC) and started doing multiple section passes slowly and with slight pressure(I was impressed as the rotations weren't stopping on moderate to heavy pressure, even on heavy it was moving! )

after 6-7 section passes, I decreased the speed and pressure, and tried to jewel the paint.

Stopped the polisher and then lifted it. Wiped off all the residue and did a IPA wipedown.

There was a definite improvement in the test spot. I kinda tried to show the difference to my mom but to her it all appeared the same!

All the micro-marring had gone! I did a super close surface inspection and it was perfectly smooth!! ( I love Menzerna!!!)

One Con regarding DW443 is, it make a hell lot of noise!!!
though I was lost in polishing, a few of my neighbors came out to see what was making such a noise!!
(DW443 was also vibrating the bonnet leading to that amplified sound!!)

and my hands hurt from the vibration!!! (any remedies to prevent vibration damage?)

As soon as I was finished with the test spot, loads of clouds appeared and blocked the sunlight!

useless pics!


Are these reflections ok??

Do I need to polish more?


The status of the pad after doing 3/4th of the hood!



currently the pad is soaked in a bucket with snappy clean.

Please I need advise on the technique I used + any other tips and tricks that may help!

Thanks!

[sohail99]

The sun came out and I took some pics!!

Damn! I think Menzerna PO85RD is the best!!

Check these out!!



















This is a untested spot (you can see light swirls)


Similar swirls after 1-2 passes


All I can say is, I'm highly impressed!!!

But my hands hurt!