Harbor Freight DA Polisher - New

[Daviddear30]

I just picked up on today. $65 for polisher and 3 pads

[dlc95]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but if the backing plate fits a PC, it will fit the HF DA.

This is what I use on my HF DA
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate

That's awesome! The local Painter's supply sold me four Dynabrade backing plates at $7.50 a piece. This might be something nice to keep with the detailing kit at my better half's place!

[beamerstrumpet]

Reading all this has sold me. I will be buying this. Will that cupon in the middle of this thread work still? It is online for 60 bucks. There are 3 stores I can go to, so I guess calling them to see if in stock is a good idea? Or do I just need to google HF great deal cupon or something? I was wondering about the HF pads, I had planed on a 5 in flex pad from CG's and the Hex pad sample kit Or maybe a LC 6 pack. not sure what chemical system to go with. its a bit overwhelming for a noob. Right now Im on the fence over Poor Boys, Megs, 3M, or Mothers.
This is a heck of a start up since ill basically be a weekend warrior. guess Ill get a rotary too. I plan on doing some painting and since ill be wet sanding, will need it. Or will I? wont a yellow pad and some aggressive compound get rid of wet sand marks if they are around a 2500 or 3000 grit wet sand? ok you can tell im just getting this since all my questions run together. thanks in advance.

[dlc95]

Reading all this has sold me. I will be buying this. Will that cupon in the middle of this thread work still? It is online for 60 bucks. There are 3 stores I can go to, so I guess calling them to see if in stock is a good idea? Or do I just need to google HF great deal cupon or something? I was wondering about the HF pads, I had planed on a 5 in flex pad from CG's and the Hex pad sample kit Or maybe a LC 6 pack. not sure what chemical system to go with. its a bit overwhelming for a noob. Right now Im on the fence over Poor Boys, Megs, 3M, or Mothers.
This is a heck of a start up since ill basically be a weekend warrior. guess Ill get a rotary too. I plan on doing some painting and since ill be wet sanding, will need it. Or will I? wont a yellow pad and some aggressive compound get rid of wet sand marks if they are around a 2500 or 3000 grit wet sand? ok you can tell im just getting this since all my questions run together. thanks in advance.

The LC pads are a better deal, but I slightly prefer the hex pads - just slightly. Starting out, it's hard to beat Megs Ultimate Compound / Ultimate Polish.

[Nick E]

The LC pads are a better deal, but I slightly prefer the hex pads - just slightly. Starting out, it's hard to beat Megs Ultimate Compound / Ultimate Polish.

I second that - Meg's Ultimate compound is the only one I've used, but worked great, and was pretty dang easy to use my very first time.

Just picked up Ultimate polish to finish up a few spots that my technique left a little hazy from the UC/yellow LC combo I used.

[onthespotbg]

The guys at CG's are very helpful and should be able to get you in the proper direction on what you need as far as pad/lotion combo. As far as the rotary, if you haven't used one before please use it with caution and practice with your DA first. Bad things can happen especially if you don't have anyone to fix it afterwards. A DA can get out 2500-3000 sand scratches if done properly with the right patience. +1 with the Meg's Ultimate polish and compound too! Some of the best stuff on the market for the consumer to get their hands on. I use a lot of Meg's stuff in my business. Make sure you get a different backing plate other than the one that come with the machine.

[exoticshine]

The backing plate that comes with the machine is horrible. Replace it soon as possible. The only downside to the DA is the noise level, works great for the price.

[c8n]

Right now Im on the fence over Poor Boys, Megs, 3M, or Mothers.

For anyone that is just starting, I think you should start with polishes with SMAT as in my opinion, they are easy to work with. I don't know about the others but Meg's UC is SMAT

[PokeFan]

I just picked up on today. $65 for polisher and 3 pads

David, A word of advice. If you haven't opened the pads yet return them now and get your money back. I made the same mistake when I picked up my HF DA and the pads started to fall about before I finished my car for the first time. The backing plate is too big for the pads and eats the foam and since the BP is crap and you'll be getting rid of it anyway the pads are just a waste of money. Save yourself the trouble and frustration of thinking you're doing something wrong and just wait until you get a new BP and pads to use the DA.

That said, I agree with everyone else here. When properly equipped the Harbor Freight DA is a very capable machine.

[Jomax]

I'll be getting one just for applying wax on my toyhauler and scrubbing carpet. The Rupes is too big to hold with one arm