Should I buy a da polisher

[Dewy]

I have never used a polisher or been around anyone using one, but am really considering it. I have spent at least 20 hours on my truck and am worn out. Problem is truck is a new black tacoma. There is hardly any flat surfaces. The hood has scoop, the fenders have guards, it's just endless seams and curves. What do you all think

[BobbyG]

Hi Dewy,

A dual action polisher is probably the most important addition to quality, efficiency, and consistency you'll ever make. Performing each phase by hand just can't match that of a polisher and pad...

The Porter Cable 7424xp


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)

[Eandras]

:iagree: with BobbyG. I have a 2011 Dodge Nitro. A lot of curves and the DA works great. I have a PC, Griots 6 & 3", and a Flex 3401.

If you buy one make sure you research and make an informed decision.

Ed

[Mike Phillips]

I have never used a polisher or been around anyone using one, but am really considering it. I have spent at least 20 hours on my truck and am worn out. Problem is truck is a new black tacoma. There is hardly any flat surfaces. The hood has scoop, the fenders have guards, it's just endless seams and curves. What do you all think

In my life, I cannot count how many times I've read a post like yours, watched the person buy a polisher and then said,

I can't believe I didn't do this years ago...

Or something like the above. Read this thread...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/55512-s-not-hard.html

:)

[BorisC]

I can't believe I didn't do this years ago...
:xyxthumbs:

In fact a friend recently asked me about getting a polisher. He hasn't bought one yet & is not as 'committed' as the rest of us geeks, but I'll convert him soon enough. :)
And since you have a big Tacoma & black no less, I would stop considering the purchase of one & just concentrate on picking which one I want.

[Bunky]

Yes get a DA. It is purchase you will not regret for what it will do.

[jfelbab]

In my life, I cannot count how many times I've read a post like yours, watched the person buy a polisher and then said,

I can't believe I didn't do this years ago...

Or something like the above. Read this thread...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/55512-s-not-hard.html

:)

I did do that, over 17 years ago. I bought my first DA, a G100 (aka Porter-Cable 7336) in March of 1995. The best decision I ever made, LOL. As I recall, Mike, you helped me make that decision. (Holy cr_p, where has all the time gone?)

Interestingly enough, I still use that old PC. The G100 came with a lifetime guarantee from Meg's and it likely will outlast me as I'm pushing 70 now and have pretty much retired.

This tool has saved me hundreds of hours over the years. The DA has been my single most used and clearly the best tool I ever purchased. Don't hesitate to buy a DA, you will thank yourself over and over again throughout the years.

Thanks, Mike. ;)

[swanicyouth]

If you have small surfaces to polish that are hard to get to, get small pads.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/20/u2e9uby5.jpg

No reason not to get a DA!

[tuscarora dave]

What do you guys think?
I think you should buy a DA polisher with some 5.5" pads and also a 3 3/4" backing plate and Cyclo 4" pads to work the tighter areas and curves on your Tacoma. You will not regret the purchase after owning the black truck and the polishing equipment for a few years.

Think of it this way....Being that this stuff is pretty hard work, what would you say a fair hourly rate for the labor to do it would be? At what rate of pay would you be willing to do this type of work for if a friend or neighbor asked you to do it for them?

My thoughts are, "at a minimum" $20 per hour. Take your number X 20 hours (the time it takes you to do it by hand), and figure in the recovery time that it takes for all of your muscles to return from a state of soreness where you can't stand the thought of doing any other type of work until you've healed up from your truck detailing duties.

Try to put a dollar figure together that makes sense.

Come spring time, after you've pushed snow and ice off of your Tacoma all winter. Wouldn't it be safe to say, "Your black truck will be in need of some sort of attention in regards to how the paint looks"?

At this point, it's no longer a brand new truck. In fact it now has a few issues to be dealt with. If it took you 20 hours to get it looking the way you wanted it when it was brand new, Wouldn't it be safe to say that in the spring time your total hours of hand polishing would exceed the 20 hour mark?

The thought of having a polisher that you can simply guide across the paint, allowing it to do the work that you used to do by hand should be looking pretty good now after contemplating all of this.

If you want to keep a really nice looking black truck, it's a necessity to own at least a DA polisher with a few different pad sized options to work with.

Put back $100 per month until spring time and you can even have a fancy Flex 3401 or Rupes polisher or something of that quality.

Just my thoughts as backed up by my experience between hand polishing and now owning several polishers to work with.