Guest Budz86 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 As above I'm looking at machine polishers. Seen one from draper at £140 and been told by the bloke in the shop it is the way forward. To be fair, he seems quite knowledgable (sp?) but just wanted more opinions. Who has one and what did you go for? Whats a resonable price to pay? Thanks Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luka-P Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I got a SilverLine one off eBay. You just need better heads as the ones they have are lame. Variable RPM, works a treat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I'd be tempted by this bargain to be honest: http://www.kingdomtools.co.uk/power_tools/Polishers__PL_368.html The top one, although the orange one is good for the money. Budget for a flexible backing plate too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I got one from halfords, if I am on the same page, that buffer thing. Seems to work ok, can't complain. It safe as you cant over do it like the professional ones and take off the paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Depends really if your after a dual action polisher or a rotary mate, and that desicion i would say comes down to whether or not you have used anything like this before. But saying that there is nothing to stop you going straight for a rotary and practicing on some scrap panels to get to grips with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 If it is the dual handled one from halfords, I found it be completely useless.. I use a dewalt rotary, HOWEVER I'd not recommend it unless you have experience, the porter cable has/always been the first choice for starters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 (edited) I've got a Chicago Pneumatic one, I paid £140 for. Nice bit of kit and fairly compact and light (ish) for a polisher. http://www.cp.com/content.aspx?pageid=1408 I've started with a Silverline which was OK but the weight is a factor when you've been using it for hours. The build quality and motor is far superior on the CP ones, don't worry too much about soft start, the CP I've got doesn't have it yet you get used it. Edited October 3, 2008 by Paul (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 You may want to consider one of these kits http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/polishing-machine/cat_17.html Yes there have been issues with some of the G220's, i myself had trouble with my first one, but Meguiars support is very very good. I'm only pointing these out incase you are not aware of them. These are whats known as a dual action polisher. I would say the same finish can be achieved (or very similar) with one of these compared to a rotary, but it just takes longer. These are however in no way comparable to the twin handle Halfords job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 You may want to consider one of these kits http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/polishing-machine/cat_17.html Yes there have been issues with some of the G220's, i myself had trouble with my first one, but Meguiars support is very very good. I'm only pointing these out incase you are not aware of them. These are whats known as a dual action polisher. I would say the same finish can be achieved (or very similar) with one of these compared to a rotary, but it just takes longer. These are however in no way comparable to the twin handle Halfords job The G220 problems have been resolved now and all the new units shipped should be v2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I would only recommend one that has a very low minimum speed, especially important for when you first apply the polish. Too fast like 1000rpm and the polish can go everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 If this is purely for your car at home Budz86, i dont think you will go wrong or be disappointed with a G220 or Porta Cable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 If this is purely for your car at home Budz86, i dont think you will go wrong or be disappointed with a G220 or Porta Cable Depends on how much experience you have on handling power tools. If you're a bit kack handed then go for something like the G220 but don't be scared of going straight to the 'real thing' and getting a decent rotary polisher. You'll get quicker results with a rotary but could also inflict paint damage more easily, just a case of going easy at first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Yep, very true mate, totally agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Another good tip is it pick your products carefully.... G3 for example is not lubricated, whereas the Menzerna stuff I use is... (Lubrication stops it burning through the paint at a rate of knots) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Another good tip is it pick your products carefully.... G3 for example is not lubricated, whereas the Menzerna stuff I use is... (Lubrication stops it burning through the paint at a rate of knots) Yep, I use mainly Menzerna, much easier and safer to use over G3. I do still use G3 in some instances but alot more care is needed and plenty of lube. Menzerna products are superb but do play up a little depending on temperature/weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Picking products is one of the toughest choices. Everyone will give you different opinions. But generally try a few different pad choices and polishes and see what 'you' are able to get the most from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Thanks for the tips guys, havn't had a chance to look at all of these properly as I'm still at work but I'll be going through them all properly tomorrow with a view to buying one for next weekend. Havn't had any experiance using these before but I want to make sure it's a decent one. Not bothered about getting the whole car polished in the time it takes to have a Malboro, more bothered about the end finish. I know it's going to take me a good few applications to get it to a standard I'd be happy with (mirror!) When you say it's easy to mess up the paintwork if your not careful, what exactly can go wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 When you say it's easy to mess up the paintwork if your not careful, what exactly can go wrong? Here is the guide.... http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/rotary-guide/info_29.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Halfords polisher for sale here That said, I wsa very impressed with it, but that is compared to a bucket of soap and water job. Might need to upgrade if the quality of these is far superior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Halfords polisher for sale here That said, I wsa very impressed with it, but that is compared to a bucket of soap and water job. Might need to upgrade if the quality of these is far superior Mine's buried somewhere in the cupboard, so don't worry you aren't the only one with one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 A cheap multi speed one is fine, mine was about £40 and has polished 3 cars so far, as long as it will go from about 400-1500RPM it Will be fine;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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