Questions about machine polishing

[Epilogts]

Polisher and products for Hard Paint?


Our family owns an Audi and VW with hard paint and I’m recently ‘retired’ and now have the time to get into polishing. I own a HF polisher and a pile of LC pads that has done basic duty for me in the past but would like to up my game.


I’ve been looking hard at the new Griots G15 as it seems like a good starter machine, with a good cross between throw and power...


What would the forum gurus recommend for a polisher, compounds and pads.


I have been reading quite a bit and it seems like my old polishes are ‘old tech’... I have the following Meguiar’s D300 Microfiber correction compound, D302 MF polish, Menzerna SF3500 and MCP2500.


After reading the forums for a while is sounds like something like 3D One, Carpro Reflect, Sonax PF, or Scholls S40 may be a better choice for performance and ease of use (keeping in mind that the vehicles I work on have been well kept and just require light polishing/refining(jeweling).

Any suggestions on equipment, pads, polish would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers

[Mike Phillips]

I would consider the Griot's G9 as an upgrade to your HF polisher.

You could use all the pads and product you already own.

[Epilogts]

Thanks for the suggestion Mike.

I converted my HF over to 5.5” pads so that’s all I have which is another reason why I was staying away from the G9, plus I’d like to try a Long Throw(semi at 15mm) polisher. Am I being foolish?

[WillSports3]

Nothing wrong with a long throw. From using a Rotary, to a regular D/A to a long throw, I feel worlds better after using a long throw. Plus, I find a long throw polisher forces you to refine your technique which is one of the things I enjoy.

[Epilogts]

So I ordered:
Polish
Reflect
Scholl S40 (Carpro said it wouldn’t work as well with a DA...)

Pads
Scholl’s Honey spider pads
Rupes Yellow(recommended by CarPro)
LC hydro red, in addition to the LC orange and white I already had.

Hopefully this will be a good mix for finishing out my hard paint...

[WillSports3]

Scholl S40 works perfectly fine with a long throw DA.

[Desertnate]

I would consider the Griot's G9 as an upgrade to your HF polisher.

You could use all the pads and product you already own.

Do long throw polishers require a different type of pad?

I too am looking at upgrading my HF DA to the G15, but hadn't thought about my stock of LC Flat and Thin Pro pads not working. In my grand plan the HF would be converted to a 3" polisher and sealant/wax applicator.

OP: If you ever are in the hunt again for a polish, I've found the Blackfire polish and compound work well on hard paint as does Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover. All of which can be used depending on the level of correction is needed. My go-to combo was Blackfire Compound on a white Lake Country Thin Pro pad.

[Epilogts]

OP: If you ever are in the hunt again for a polish, I've found the Blackfire polish and compound work well on hard paint as does Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover. All of which can be used depending on the level of correction is needed. My go-to combo was Blackfire Compound on a white Lake Country Thin Pro pad.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will add to my list for next time.

[Epilogts]

Scholl S40 works perfectly fine with a long throw DA.

Good to hear, I will be giving it a shot.

[Epilogts]

So I ordered:
Polish
Reflect
Scholl S40 (Carpro said it wouldn’t work as well with a DA...)

Pads
Scholl’s Honey spider pads
Rupes Yellow(recommended by CarPro)
LC hydro red, in addition to the LC orange and white I already had.

Hopefully this will be a good mix for finishing out my hard paint...

Found this suggestion somewhere else:
Application:

For best results use Scholl Concepts white Spider Pad or Navy blue Spider pad.
After spreading across 2-2.5 Ft area on low speed, work at speed 4-5 applying moderate pressure through the first half of the cycle.
Next use progressively lighter pressure until finished down. Machine speed varies based on machine and paint.
Once completed, buff off the faint residue using our Yellow Fellow microfiber towel.
Clean pad
Use only 3-5 pea size drops for each additional section (depending on pad size), repeating steps 2-5 after each section.