Recommend a polishing machine

[A993LAD]

I really should look after my classic cars better .

They get regularly washed but I've never polished a car in my life.

Guilt is getting the better of me.

I'm seeking recommendations for a reasonably priced polishing kit to get me started on my amateur detailing adventure.

[sam.rog]

To what degree do you want to polish?
The machine polishing stage is last but one. There’s a lot of prep (and cost) to get the paint to a position where you would do a correction polish.

Watch a few of forensic detailings videos on YouTube. He has an excellent guide on getting started.

Edited by sam.rog on Wednesday 7th August 12:26

[Belle427]

Does the paint really need a machine polish?
You can still get some good results by hand.
If you did want to get down deep into that rabbit hole something like this would suit you.
https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/das-6-v2-scholl-s20...

[PRO5T]

I went with a Makita cordless, mainly as I have Makita batteries for all my tools but I can do my car (a 911) in less than half a 5 amp battery.

As well as paint correction I use it for applying sealants and wax with a zero cut pad-I wouldn't be without it now. I learned with a mates corded one and much like any other corded tool it did my head in after a while, battery is definitely the way to go if you have batteries already and your battery maker does one.

I bought one of these;

https://www.makitauk.com/product/dpo600.html

On one of the regular eBay XX% discount sales.

[TUS373]

PRO5T said:

I went with a Makita cordless, mainly as I have Makita batteries for all my tools but I can do my car (a 911) in less than half a 5 amp battery.

As well as paint correction I use it for applying sealants and wax with a zero cut pad-I wouldn't be without it now. I learned with a mates corded one and much like any other corded tool it did my head in after a while, battery is definitely the way to go if you have batteries already and your battery maker does one.

I bought one of these;

https://www.makitauk.com/product/dpo600.html

On one of the regular eBay XX% discount sales.

Interesting. I ordered one of these about 2.5 years ago but cancelled the order. Reason being that the polisher could not take smaller polishing pads. Think my stock of pads must all have been smaller than 15cm. I could not see that smaller backing plates were available from/for Makita.

For £250 it looked limited and so I did not want to take the chance.

Do you just use as it is then with 15cm pads?

Edited by TUS373 on Thursday 8th August 08:22

[Master Of Puppets]

Do you have a cordless drill?, if so then spend a couple of quid on these and you are sorted, no need to spend a fortune.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http...

[Defcon5]

Isn’t the good thing about proper polishing machines that they don’t just spin, but also oscillate to stop damage?

[Belle427]

Dual action machines yes, easy to use and very difficult to actually damage the paint so great for beginners.

[WestyCarl]

After speaking to a number of detailing companies I've just bought a DAS-6 V2 Dual Action Polisher (actually a kit with polish and pads for £120)

The general concencous seems that this is perfect for the DIY'er.

Call "clean you car" as they spent 30mins with me on how to use, answering my questions, etc. They were very helpful.

[PRO5T]

TUS373 said:

PRO5T said:

I went with a Makita cordless, mainly as I have Makita batteries for all my tools but I can do my car (a 911) in less than half a 5 amp battery.

As well as paint correction I use it for applying sealants and wax with a zero cut pad-I wouldn't be without it now. I learned with a mates corded one and much like any other corded tool it did my head in after a while, battery is definitely the way to go if you have batteries already and your battery maker does one.

I bought one of these;

https://www.makitauk.com/product/dpo600.html

On one of the regular eBay XX% discount sales.

Interesting. I ordered one of these about 2.5 years ago but cancelled the order. Reason being that the polisher could not take smaller polishing pads. Think my stock of pads must all have been smaller than 15cm. I could not see that smaller backing plates were available from/for Makita.

For £250 it looked limited and so I did not want to take the chance.

Do you just use as it is then with 15cm pads?

Edited by TUS373 on Thursday 8th August 08:22

I just bought a different Velcro backing plate from chemical guys-one of their machines has the same attachment style.

If I’m applying wax or sealant I use a 7” pad on the makita plate and for correction I drop to a 5” on the chemical guys one.

Cost about a tenner for the new backing plate in one of their regular sales.

[dhutch]

sam.rog said:

To what degree do you want to polish?
The machine polishing stage is last but one. There’s a lot of prep (and cost) to get the paint to a position where you would do a correction polish.

Yeah, just pay someone!

[mdb55]

WestyCarl said:

After speaking to a number of detailing companies I've just bought a DAS-6 V2 Dual Action Polisher (actually a kit with polish and pads for £120)

The general concencous seems that this is perfect for the DIY'er.

Call "clean you car" as they spent 30mins with me on how to use, answering my questions, etc. They were very helpful.

+1 to the DAS-6, excellent results and easy to use.

[A993LAD]

Thanks for all the top tips much appreciated.

So I have now bought a load of stuff off the internet. Of course I still have no idea which lotions do you use and which pads to use and what order I should use them in.

I will watch some of the YouTube videos and then try not to make a complete mess of my cars.

[A993LAD]

All this polishing stuff I have bought says that I need to thoroughly wash the car before I use any of it.

What's the best stuff to buy to wash the car with.

I have got a pressure washer with one of those bottles that you can put stuff in and spray it all over the car if that's any use

[PRO5T]

A993LAD…

https://www.chemicalguys.com/products/clay-block-s...

Buy one of these-it’s a godsend. Wash as normal (two bucket method if you’re xtra careful) and the. While the car is still wet, run this back and forth and it’ll remove all the other crap that’s stuck to it that you struggle to remove like tree sap, insect residue and tar.

You can go extra with some “fallout remover” which is supposed to remove baked in brake dust particles but I find that stuff really harsh-I would only use it once a year before my car goes into hibernation for winter.

You can add some speed detailed into the mix of water that’s left on the car but it really works very well just with water to lubricator ut.

By the way-I’m certain I either nearly bought a car off you or one that used to have your reg many years ago!

[SKM1984]

I'm sure I spy a block of clay in the box already,

Good wash, clay with lube spray then a good polish and wax

I do it all by hand though so your a level up on me!

[sam.rog]

Short version.
1. Wash
2. Fallout remover
3. Tar remover
4. Clay
5. Wash
6. Polish with abrasives
7. De grease panels
8. Apply protection

You need the car to be free of any dirt or contaminants before you go at it with a polisher otherwise your wasting your time.

[A993LAD]

Thanks guys much appreciated

I might attack my old Volvo first as a practice run before I have a go with my classic cars