machine polisher/sander

[jackso11]

Has anyone bought one of these?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-In-1-CAR-POLISHER-SANDER-ANGLE-GRINDER-DELUXE-MACHINE-/120580353624?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c13262e58

 

wondered if they are any good. I want a machine plisher to get a good shiney back

[bodilx6]

I have one very much like this. It is a dangerous tool to work with. As it just spins around a single axis, your risk "burning" the paint. You really need some practice to use that if you want to get rid of swirls and so.

I would go for a dual action polisher (orbital) in stead. Should be much easier to work with without the major risk of burning the paint.

Search a bit here on forum or go to detailingworld.com for reccomendations. There are two main products reccomended all the time. Don't remember what they are called but you will find them quickly.

[jackso11]

don't all these polishers work on a single axis? how does it move on more? by taking some of the pressure off when you push down?

[Scott]

Dual action, and orbital as he said bud

 

Imagine a plate spinning on a stick that you are holding. Now imagine holding it out at arms length and slowly turning round in a circle. Same thing

[jackso11]

ahhh, got it.

Well I want it to refurb headlights so none orbital is probably best for such a small area.

[Scott]

The pic you have linked to looks like an angle grinder to me.

 

I haven't had a proper read, just make sure it has variable speed and check that the torque on the motor isn't too high. You will cook the plastic.

[Stonkin]

Hi Jackso11,

 

I wouldnt say the machine you have listed would be good for you, and personally dont think it would last 5 mins. Also, if you have never used a 'rotary' before, you would be mad to take that to your supra unless your prepared in advance to knacker your paint.

 

It comes down to deciding if you want to go down the rotary route or a dual action.

You would be mad to not spend many many hours practising with a rotary if thats what you choose to get, as in the wrong hands you could quite quickly cause devastating results. On the opposite side a dual action is far more user friendly. It will not achieve quite the same results and it will take a lot longer, but the step up from doing it by hand is huge.

 

The machine is only a small part of the overall results. The pads, polishes and the technique you use the machine will give very varied results. .

 

If you do think of a rotary, i would look at these, trtied and tested machines:

 

Makita 9227CB

http://www.powertools2u.co.uk/Mains-Power-Tools/Sanders-and-Polishers/Makita-9227CB---180mm-Sander-Polisher.htm

 

MetaboPE 12-175

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Polishers&product=66660

 

I have used both of these and decided on the Makita. I find it more comfortable to use, even if it is slightly heavier. Vertical panels for example can become tiring with the Makita, but no where near enough of a problem for me to dislike the machine. The Makita's speed control is also ergonomically far better placed. Both tools are however very good, you almost need to pick both up and you just know which 'fits' you better.

 

If you do get a rotary i would advise to factor in a replacement backing plate such as the 3M 125 mm Perfect-it III M14 shown here:

 

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/3m-125-mm-perfect-it-III-rotary-backing-plates-polish.html

 

It is softer than the ones that come with the machines and will offer you far greater control of the pad and manouvering it around the curves of panels. You will also really need a smaller backing plate to use with the smaller 80mm pads to get into the tighter areas.

 

If your thinking of a dual action, look at these

 

Meguiars G220 - link also shows a few polish packages

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/meguiars-g220-dual-action-polishing-machine/cat_70.html

 

DAS 6 - polish packages also

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-dual-action-polisher/cat_71.html

 

I havent used the DAS, but i do own 3 of the G220's. The G220 was very similar to the Porter Cable you may have read about, but being 240v you will not need a transformer to go with it. They have certainly had 'issues' with the Meguiars unit (hence me having 3) For a £150 product they should really have ironed these out by now, the speed switches have been prown to failure as were the brushes. These faults have supposedly been rectified, my last one has been going for a while now, but does rarely get used anymore as the Makita is a better tool for me. Meguiars customer service is however very good and i have always had a new unit delivered within a couple of days of logging the fault.

 

Personally i would choose a dual action if you want to be able to just pick it up, enjoy it and bring your car to life in the process. You will still need to learn how to get the best from it but the rotary could cause you more headaches if its not something you are used to or necessarily have the time to put in to learn to get the best from, safely.

 

Hope some of this will help you, just ask if i can offer anymore advice,

 

Christian

 

Edit, only just saw you want it to refurb headlights....

[jackso11]

that is a lot of good information there! Thanks stonkin.

 

but I only want it to refurb headlights...not taking it to any paint at all, just clear lenses.

 

Surely just for a small job like this I can get away with things like the first one I posted, or this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CLARKE-RANDOM-ORBITAL-SANDER-6-150mm-230v-730w-/110524219297?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item19bbc1bfa1

 

or would it really not even do for a small job like a headlight lense?

[Stonkin]

Thing is though, how often will you be refubing lights to warrant buying all the gear? You certainly need to make sure it has a 'soft start' which a lot of the cheaper angle grinder types do not. Platsic is very easy to burn!

 

Not trying to put you off at all, just dont want you buying the wrong thing

[jackso11]

Yeah you are right, it is only going to do 2 sets of lights. The ones on my car now to sell, and the facelift ones I have bought to go on when these come off.

 

As its such a small job I don't really want to spend close to £200 getting an orbital, but if this won't do the job then maybe I will have to.

 

Will look for second hand ones first

[scotty71]

Use/buy a bosch attachment that goes onto any drill and attach a lambswool bonnet. Both can be bought from B&Q for under 18 quid. Use Megiuars PlastX and your lights will look as good as new inside and out

 

I have the DAS 6 kit from Polishedbliss but for what you need I would go down the drill attachment route. I still did this even though I have the DAS kit

 

http://www.toolking.com/media/catalog/product/2/2/2204990_1.jpg

 

http://www.toolstation.com/images/library/stock/webbig/18491.jpg

 

Edited June 9, 2010 by scotty71 (see edit history)

[Stonkin]

That was my next thought Scotty Far cheaper way to achieve what you need and much easier to get right into the inside of the lense

[scotty71]

That was my next thought Scotty Far cheaper way to achieve what you need and much easier to get right into the inside of the lense

 

Yeah Christian,

I wasnt going to mess up my DAS kit so went to B&Q and bought the above... I have refurbed 3 sets of lights and this was/is IMO the easiest way to get the lenses back to their best, and for 18 squid not the end of the world if you dont use the bits for a while. Jackso, its also easier to have someone hold the lenses while you attack it with the drill

[Stonkin]

jackso, its also easier to have someone hold the lenses while you attack it with the drill

 

lol

[ilicos]

Where in London are you Jackson? I can lend you my single axis variable speed with bonnet if you want.

 

I got this with a 20% discount a while back. It's excellent value for money and has even out-performed some better and more expensive brands.

 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_232655_langId_-1_categoryId_165557

Edited June 9, 2010 by ilicos (see edit history)

[jackso11]

that looks pretty much the same as the one on ebay that I have been looking at.

 

Thanks for the offer, what have you used it for so far?

[supracars]

hi mate if you can get to Wycombe i have a soft start buffer that you can use. No point you buying one if your never going to use it again, failing that then there is a soft start buffer on ebay wuth variable spped for £50 odd quid ill send you the link later

[supracars]

Hi Jackso11,

 

I wouldnt say the machine you have listed would be good for you, and personally dont think it would last 5 mins. Also, if you have never used a 'rotary' before, you would be mad to take that to your supra unless your prepared in advance to knacker your paint.

 

It comes down to deciding if you want to go down the rotary route or a dual action.

You would be mad to not spend many many hours practising with a rotary if thats what you choose to get, as in the wrong hands you could quite quickly cause devastating results. On the opposite side a dual action is far more user friendly. It will not achieve quite the same results and it will take a lot longer, but the step up from doing it by hand is huge.

 

The machine is only a small part of the overall results. The pads, polishes and the technique you use the machine will give very varied results. .

 

If you do think of a rotary, i would look at these, trtied and tested machines:

 

Makita 9227CB

http://www.powertools2u.co.uk/Mains-Power-Tools/Sanders-and-Polishers/Makita-9227CB---180mm-Sander-Polisher.htm

 

MetaboPE 12-175

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Polishers&product=66660

 

I have used both of these and decided on the Makita. I find it more comfortable to use, even if it is slightly heavier. Vertical panels for example can become tiring with the Makita, but no where near enough of a problem for me to dislike the machine. The Makita's speed control is also ergonomically far better placed. Both tools are however very good, you almost need to pick both up and you just know which 'fits' you better.

 

If you do get a rotary i would advise to factor in a replacement backing plate such as the 3M 125 mm Perfect-it III M14 shown here:

 

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/3m-125-mm-perfect-it-III-rotary-backing-plates-polish.html

 

It is softer than the ones that come with the machines and will offer you far greater control of the pad and manouvering it around the curves of panels. You will also really need a smaller backing plate to use with the smaller 80mm pads to get into the tighter areas.

 

If your thinking of a dual action, look at these

 

Meguiars G220 - link also shows a few polish packages

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/meguiars-g220-dual-action-polishing-machine/cat_70.html

 

DAS 6 - polish packages also

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-dual-action-polisher/cat_71.html

 

I havent used the DAS, but i do own 3 of the G220's. The G220 was very similar to the Porter Cable you may have read about, but being 240v you will not need a transformer to go with it. They have certainly had 'issues' with the Meguiars unit (hence me having 3) For a £150 product they should really have ironed these out by now, the speed switches have been prown to failure as were the brushes. These faults have supposedly been rectified, my last one has been going for a while now, but does rarely get used anymore as the Makita is a better tool for me. Meguiars customer service is however very good and i have always had a new unit delivered within a couple of days of logging the fault.

 

Personally i would choose a dual action if you want to be able to just pick it up, enjoy it and bring your car to life in the process. You will still need to learn how to get the best from it but the rotary could cause you more headaches if its not something you are used to or necessarily have the time to put in to learn to get the best from, safely.

 

Hope some of this will help you, just ask if i can offer anymore advice,

 

Christian

 

Edit, only just saw you want it to refurb headlights....

 

Thanks pal some great advice there

[jackso11]

hi mate if you can get to Wycombe i have a soft start buffer that you can use. No point you buying one if your never going to use it again, failing that then there is a soft start buffer on ebay wuth variable spped for £50 odd quid ill send you the link later

 

sounds pretty good please do let me know the link. I might be able to get over to you but it might not be for ages, weekends pretty packed for a while. I don't suppose you fancy polishing 4 headlight lenses for me I will buy you a pint.....or just pay you a bit. haha

[supracars]

sounds pretty good please do let me know the link. I might be able to get over to you but it might not be for ages, weekends pretty packed for a while. I don't suppose you fancy polishing 4 headlight lenses for me I will buy you a pint.....or just pay you a bit. haha

 

:Di was hoping u can do mine while you were at it

[supracars]

here the link bud

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270389557911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[jackso11]

:Di was hoping u can do mine while you were at it

 

haha, Lets see how mine turn out.....if they are all burnt i am sure you wouldn't want be to do yours too

 

That sander looks good.......waiting for everyone to say its not

[scotty71]

You split them in the oven yet??

[ilicos]

that looks pretty much the same as the one on ebay that I have been looking at.

 

Thanks for the offer, what have you used it for so far?

 

To polish up my headlights (came up a treat;)) and minor body work bits. Because is has variable speeds there is a reduced riskof burning. My mate who is a pro detailer said it was pretty good. Aparently the trick to avoid burning the paint is to remove the side-handle and hold the back of the spinner and apply the pressure from there.

 

I'm based near Enfield but work in Central London.

Edited June 9, 2010 by ilicos (see edit history)

[supracars]

haha, Lets see how mine turn out.....if they are all burnt i am sure you wouldn't want be to do yours too

 

i reckon buy the time youve managed to burn the first two sets you'll be able to do mine perfectly