random orbital polisher users?

[jetset4me]

The best RO out there now is the Flex XC3401. Do a Google search and read all the buzz about this. It like a PC on steroids. Got mine today. It's been on backorder since early December.

[hcvone]

Originally Posted by jetset4me

The best RO out there now is the Flex XC3401. Do a Google search and read all the buzz about this. It like a PC on steroids. Got mine today. It's been on backorder since early December.

Yea the 3401 is a great machine, had one for about a year now, don't use the Porter Cable anymore.

[hcvone]

Originally Posted by Flyin-Ryan

Is there anyone on here that use a random orbital polisher? Im sure there are lots but if you could let me know who you are I have a couple of questions for you.

Thanks

Ryan

Here are some basics for using a Porter Cable buffer written from a friend at Roadfly

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/det...1430487&page=1

[adamh21]

Using a DA is actually really easy, it makes it almost impossible to damage your paint unless you are REALLY working hard on one spot.

There are a bunch of variants on 3 basic pads. Cutting pads, polishing pads, and finishing pads.

You want to use cutting pads on scratches, bad water spots, with most kinds of abrasives, a cutting pad is what you want. Polishing pads are for wax, synthetic sealant, and other things of that nature. Finishing pads are great for exactly what their name states, finishing. I use them to take most of the wax off the surface of the car before i wipe it down with microfiber. They are also great to wax your windows. Finishing pads work well with quick detailer type products as well.

My advice (other than using maguires, as always) is to look into getting a clay bar, and a LOT of detailing products, youll soon find having a quality product is much more important than the technique you use or which DA you have.

I have used Maguires since I ran a detail shop in Arizona, if you have any questions, or if you need a good cheap place to order some detailing supplies just ask.

[JimHare]

Originally Posted by adamh21

My advice (other than using maguires, as always) is to look into getting a clay bar, and a LOT of detailing products, youll soon find having a quality product is much more important than the technique you use or which DA you have.

That's an interesting quote, Adam - but I must admit it goes against the grain of what I've seen. In the right hands, and with the correct techniques, nearly ANY boutique or OTC product can look really good. In the shop of a master, Turtle Wax can look just as good as the $2000 per tin boutique waxes. But if you don't know what you're doing, then that two grand wax will look like crap. The reason so many OTC products are so good is that they're competing for the weekend warrior dollar - and they want to make even an amateur look halfway decent.

I'd have to come down on the opposite side of your statement - if you learn the right techniques, and use the right tool for the job, nearly any product will produce good results, within its design parameters.

[submariner409]

I'll agree with Jim ^^. The application and the products go hand in hand. You can't take a cheap wax/polish and make it look good with expensive tools, and, as in many other fields, experience is the best teacher. I make sure that the vehicle is perfectly clean from the sunroof to the wheelwells before rubbing products into the paint.

Not to steal anyone's thunder, but take a look at www.autogeek.net. A Florida detail products company that has some really good product lines, as well as a $6.95 DVD on everything from washing to pad selection and use.

[adamh21]

Well Ill leave you guys this to think about. I think your right, a basic knowledge of how to use this stuff is required, but my car does not look nearly as good now as it did when I ran a detail shop. My skill with a DA hasn't disappeared, and I work harder on my personal car than I ever did on a customer vehicle. So, what happened, no climate change from Kingman to Vegas, there is very few things that have changed. The most important thing is that I no longer work at a detail shop, I no longer have access to a carpet extractor, I don't have the built in wall vac, I have to use a shop vac. I dont have a giant store room full of every product I could possibly need to make my car look perfect, and THAT is why my car looks worse now than when it did when I spent half the time cleaning it with better products.