DA polisher vs hand. How much time came i save?

I will be doing some paint correction on a black Mazda 3 (jet black mica) soon and originally I planned on doing the entire car by hand since it doesn't need too much work. It just has some minor swirls, a few chips on the hood, and a few bubbled up spots from bird drippings that have sat too long as well as door handle scratches on the drivers side.

Realistically, how much time can I save on correcting the entire car if I use a DA polisher as opposed to doing it by hand? I'm talking just for the correction and not the washing, nanoskin, and sealing. I am willing to drop $150 max on a polisher if the time difference is significant.

For $150 which DA polisher would you recommend? I don't plan on doing multiple cars, only mine. This will be my first time correcting paint.

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Originally Posted by Notageek

I will be doing some paint correction on a black Mazda 3 (jet black mica) soon and originally I planned on doing the entire car by hand since it doesn't need too much work. It just has some minor swirls, a few chips on the hood, and a few bubbled up spots from bird drippings that have sat too long as well as door handle scratches on the drivers side.

Realistically, how much time can I save on correcting the entire car if I use a DA polisher as opposed to doing it by hand? I'm talking just for the correction and not the washing, nanoskin, and sealing. I am willing to drop $150 max on a polisher if the time difference is significant.

For $150 which DA polisher would you recommend? I don't plan on doing multiple cars, only mine. This will be my first time correcting paint.

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An incredible amount.

And, there is no way (literally) that you can get the outcome by hand than you can with a machine.

150 dollars? Check out the kits offered here on the AutoGeek store offered by Griot's garage (Their GG6 polisher) or the Porter Cable 7424XP.

Great kits for the budget-minded.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

Paul said it all!!

Still a valid read.

Man versus Machine

Don't bother polishing by hand. Seriously.

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Originally Posted by The Guz

Still a valid read.

Man versus Machine

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Lol.

One of the very first articles I read back in the day when I was wondering exactly what the OP was.

Nice archeology, Guzster!! :dblthumb2:

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Originally Posted by PaulMys

An incredible amount.

And, there is no way (literally) that you can get the outcome by hand than you can with a machine.

150 dollars? Check out the kits offered here on the AutoGeek store offered by Griot's garage (Their GG6 polisher) or the Porter Cable 7424XP.

Great kits for the budget-minded.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

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Thanks for that, I just looked at some and they look like good deals. How many pads would you suggest for an entire car?

Edit: which kit would you recommend? I don't need any wax since I plan on using cquartz sealant. I'm also a bit confused when it comes to the pads themselves, I didn't know they cut also. How do you match up the current polish to the correct pad?

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Originally Posted by Notageek

Thanks for that, I just looked at some and they look like good deals. How many pads would you suggest for an entire car?

Edit: which kit would you recommend? I don't need any wax since I plan on using cquartz sealant. I'm also a bit confused when it comes to the pads themselves, I didn't know they cut also. How do you match up the current polish to the correct pad?

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At least 6 pads to start.

Check Griot's garage. They have the BOSS system. Color matched pads to product. Takes all the guess work out of it.

I'd stay away from prepackaged kits and put your own together. Kits usually have things you will never use. As an example the GG6 only comes with the 6" backing plate. You really don't even want to use it. Get a 5" backing plate and 5.5" Thin pads--you'll save money and the polisher will be more effective with 5" thin pads.

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Originally Posted by ski2

I'd stay away from prepackaged kits and put your own together. Kits usually have things you will never use.

As an example the GG6 only comes with the 6" backing plate. You really don't even want to use it.

Get a 5" backing plate and 5.5" Thin pads--you'll save money and the polisher will be more effective with 5" thin pads.

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I 100% agree. In fact, I wrote an article to this point...

Here's what you need to get into machine polishing - Recommendations for a beginner by Mike Phillips



To the original threads starter, there is a TON of information in the above thread including the difference between microfiber pads and foam pads.

Also a video that will how you how to do a Test Spot and then how to buff out a car.



:)