to buy or not to buy a polisher?

[CAMAROZL1]

Im looking into buying a polisher but never have used a machine before. I have always taken care of my truck by hand. does anyone recommend buying it for a weekend detailer or should I stick to hand. Further more what should I buy if I do get one? Ive been looking at meguiars and griots.

[Mike Phillips]

Definitely get a polisher.

The easiest polisher to learn how to use and master is a DA style like the PC, GG, Megs or Shurhold. Different brands but the same "type" of tool.

• Completely safe
• Better results faster
• Takes all the elbow grease out of the project

New to Machine Polishing?

How to choose the right polisher for your detailing project

Video: How to pick the right polisher




And since this was your first post to our forum...

Welcome to Autogeek Online!

[Mike Phillips]

Further more what should I buy if I do get one? Ive been looking at meguiars and griots.

I like the time proven history for quality and longevity for the Porter Cable myself but they all work and you'll find loyal fans for all of them.

As long as you stick with thin, 5.5" pads they can all get the job done. The Griot's Garage offers the most power but millions of cars have been buffed out successfully with the Porter Cable unit which is the tool that started the DA trend.


See this article,

The Free Floating Spindle Assembly - The Story Behind The Story...


Yesterday's Trend... Today's Norm...
Today, DA Polishers are the most popular tool among do-it-yourselfers crossing over from working by hand to working by machine. Many Professional Detailers also use the DA Polisher for their follow-up polishing steps after using a rotary buffer to do the major correction work. These tools are the easiest tools to learn how to use and so safe that even my son Rand is able to operate one safely on Nate Truman's 1966 Batmobile Recreation.

Photo courtesy of LacViet Photography

[Setec Astronomy]

Welcome to the forum! Listen to Mike, especially if you have a truck with a lot of surface area, you won't regret buying a polisher.

[CAMAROZL1]

Mike thanks for the help my question then is, with the porter cable, what kind of pad/s do I need? I notice there are many types and all I plan to do is polish and wax. Thanks for the help and glad to be part of this great site. Also I plan to buy wolfgang deep gloss and paint sealant products. would these work well with polisher or is there a better choice?

[CAMAROZL1]

setec, well do. Im new to all of this and overwhelmed and excited at the same time so many tools and products, its like being a kid in candy store

[MCA]

Without a doubt get a polisher...if anything, it saves your arms from feeling like rubber after a lengthy polishing session - which is key to holding up the obligatory post-detail beer...

[ScottB]

you'll wish you made the decision "to" sooner ...

[TLMitchell]

Mike thanks for the help my question then is, with the porter cable, what kind of pad/s do I need? I notice there are many types and all I plan to do is polish and wax.

I'm not Mike nor do I play him on TV... The Meg's MF DA System is always my first recommendation to those new to machine polishing. You don't need pads of every color of the rainbow and compounds and polishes for every occasion, 1 pad, 1 compound plus 1 pad 1 polish/wax. Results depend on how long you work the products and how much pressure you apply.

TL

[CAMAROZL1]

do the pads make a difference? willing to learn