Decided to buy my first polisher, never really used one before but read quite a lot about how to properly use it and the techniques like have the cord above your shoulder. Any personal tips or lessons you have learned the hard way. What chemicals and compounds are your favorite or must haves.
Just Bought HD Polisher Kit
- Thread starter Paul2011
- Start date
Congrats buddy! I was just given my first polisher, a PC 7424xp for Father's day, and got around to using it for the first time this weekend. Polishing can be addictive! My own little tip; use less product than you think you will need since the polishers, even my lowly PC are quite adept at distributing it evenly and sparingly.
Good luck!
Asif
Good luck!
Asif
Dan
Well-known member
Just remember to start small. Its easy to get excited and try the whole car. Start with a 1x1' area and get to where you are happy with the results, then do the whole car. Good luck!
imported_RZJZA80
New member
Paul2011 said:
That is probably best answered by reading up on the threads in the 3D section of this forum, and after that, just trying it out for yourself. It all depends on what you're looking to do and what you want Speed to do.
Richard Grasa
New member
Paul2011 said:
M105 on a Meg's MF cutting pad = amazing! I've just started using the MF pads and so far that's my most favorite combo. Of course alot comes down to personal preference once you learn the basics but that's one combo I absolutely love.
As a beginner to machine polishing I've had great success with the HD product line.
Went with 5.5" Buff and Shine pads (Uber and 3D pads are the same) because they have recessed velcro which offers a margin of safety when near protruding objects like mirrors etc.--also makes it easier to center the pad on the backing plate.
I also bought a 3.5" backing plate and 2 of each color 4" pads for the small bits on the car where even a 5.5" was too big.
You might want to consider HD products HD High Definition Care Care: Detailing Made Simple really user/beginner friendly--long working time, no dust, easy to remove with no oils left behind, won't stain trim/rubber and resonably priced. UNO is very pad/speed dependent so you might be able to get away with just that. Cut with an orange pad, finish with green all with UNO -- depends allot on your paint. You may need HD Polish also if you have softer paint. Or you might only need HD Polish depending on the extent of correction you need and the type of paint.
You'll need a few pads--if you go with UNO I'd suggest 4 orange, 3 green, 2 black and a red to dedicate to each LSPs you plan to use as a minumum. Get a Denture Brush at the Dollar store to clean them on the fly (after each section or two) and Dawn Power Dissolver at Walmart to wash them afterwards. After washing and rinsing well put them between 3 or 4 layers of terry towel and step on them, then let dry overnight velcro side up.
Also, before you start polishing I'd suggest you practice a little--even just put a coat of wax or sealant on the cars just to get a feel for using the HD DA.
You could use UNO to correct with an orange pad, UNO to polish on the green pads (if it needs it) and then use HD Speed (an all in one mild polish/sealant) on the black pads to finish. Then the next morning put on a coat of HD POXY (hybrid sealant/Montan wax) LSP--the look is stunning on dark paint and adds a richness to light colors.
Went with 5.5" Buff and Shine pads (Uber and 3D pads are the same) because they have recessed velcro which offers a margin of safety when near protruding objects like mirrors etc.--also makes it easier to center the pad on the backing plate.
I also bought a 3.5" backing plate and 2 of each color 4" pads for the small bits on the car where even a 5.5" was too big.
You might want to consider HD products HD High Definition Care Care: Detailing Made Simple really user/beginner friendly--long working time, no dust, easy to remove with no oils left behind, won't stain trim/rubber and resonably priced. UNO is very pad/speed dependent so you might be able to get away with just that. Cut with an orange pad, finish with green all with UNO -- depends allot on your paint. You may need HD Polish also if you have softer paint. Or you might only need HD Polish depending on the extent of correction you need and the type of paint.
You'll need a few pads--if you go with UNO I'd suggest 4 orange, 3 green, 2 black and a red to dedicate to each LSPs you plan to use as a minumum. Get a Denture Brush at the Dollar store to clean them on the fly (after each section or two) and Dawn Power Dissolver at Walmart to wash them afterwards. After washing and rinsing well put them between 3 or 4 layers of terry towel and step on them, then let dry overnight velcro side up.
Also, before you start polishing I'd suggest you practice a little--even just put a coat of wax or sealant on the cars just to get a feel for using the HD DA.
You could use UNO to correct with an orange pad, UNO to polish on the green pads (if it needs it) and then use HD Speed (an all in one mild polish/sealant) on the black pads to finish. Then the next morning put on a coat of HD POXY (hybrid sealant/Montan wax) LSP--the look is stunning on dark paint and adds a richness to light colors.
Underdawg736GTC
New member
Congrats on the new toy!
I got to play with one on Saturday and a few tips especially with this being your first polisher. First off speed 4-5 and slow arm speed is your best friend, this puppy kicks out heat and if you go straight to 6 you'll kill your pads. Use 6 for quick bursts of power when dealing with stubborn defects. Secondly, don't put all your weight onto the machine. This is another bad habit of mine. This will also cause the machine to heat up more due to additional stress put onto the motor. If you see your pad not spinning or spinning very slowly then your putting on way too much pressure. Also by using the slow arm technique, you'll be able to allow your product to what it's designed to do, get rid of defects! Don't let the motors high speed sound make you think that you need to move faster then the speed of light! HD Speed is a good product. Barry and I were able to eliminate all the remaining compounding induced defects with relative ease....although he was running circles around me, I was able to finish the car dang near perfect with the HD-DA using HD's green pad at speed 4 to 5.
I currently have a G110v1 that I can't even compare to the HD-DA, they're not in the same league in terms of power and ability to correct (but then again the G110v1 is over 3 years old).
Lastly, HAVE FUN!!
I got to play with one on Saturday and a few tips especially with this being your first polisher. First off speed 4-5 and slow arm speed is your best friend, this puppy kicks out heat and if you go straight to 6 you'll kill your pads. Use 6 for quick bursts of power when dealing with stubborn defects. Secondly, don't put all your weight onto the machine. This is another bad habit of mine. This will also cause the machine to heat up more due to additional stress put onto the motor. If you see your pad not spinning or spinning very slowly then your putting on way too much pressure. Also by using the slow arm technique, you'll be able to allow your product to what it's designed to do, get rid of defects! Don't let the motors high speed sound make you think that you need to move faster then the speed of light! HD Speed is a good product. Barry and I were able to eliminate all the remaining compounding induced defects with relative ease....although he was running circles around me, I was able to finish the car dang near perfect with the HD-DA using HD's green pad at speed 4 to 5.
I currently have a G110v1 that I can't even compare to the HD-DA, they're not in the same league in terms of power and ability to correct (but then again the G110v1 is over 3 years old).
Lastly, HAVE FUN!!
Thomas Dekany
New member
Let us know how it works!
What kind of car will you be using it on?
HD SPEED can do some pretty good correction on its own with the yellow pad you are getting.
What kind of car will you be using it on?
HD SPEED can do some pretty good correction on its own with the yellow pad you are getting.
Just finished using the new HD polisher with speed and WOW never thought my red Pontiac Grand Prix couldn't look better! I couldn't be more wrong! I think I'm addicted, originally i wanted to do more mobile car washes but after picking this up i want to do more details over washes. Its pretty straight forward and fun.
Thomas Dekany
New member
Good for you Paul! See, how simple detailing can be? Enjoy your new toy.
Paul2011 said:
I would recommend M105 over UNO. HD Polish is pretty good although it doesn't cut very hard. It does leave a beautiful finish and is plenty good enough to clean up the marring left from the M105 cutting step.
Are you checking your work with halogen lights after using SPEED? It may not be cutting quite as hard as you think and don't count on the protection lasting very long.
The HD foam pads are very good and great for finishing. I'd recommend Tuf Buf black wool pads or microfiber pads for cutting and then finish with the HD foam pads and HD Polish.
Make sure you check your work with an IPA wipe down or even better, a wipe down from Car Pro's Eraser so you know if you've really removed the defects or just filled them.
Are you checking your work with halogen lights after using SPEED? It may not be cutting quite as hard as you think and don't count on the protection lasting very long.
The HD foam pads are very good and great for finishing. I'd recommend Tuf Buf black wool pads or microfiber pads for cutting and then finish with the HD foam pads and HD Polish.
Make sure you check your work with an IPA wipe down or even better, a wipe down from Car Pro's Eraser so you know if you've really removed the defects or just filled them.