Help choosing a polisher

[grendelrt]

I have some wear on my front bumper and was looking to wax and polish it to see how much comes out before I decide to have it repainted. I was looking at these two polishers, any opinions?

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-9227CX3...896703&sr=8-12

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7...8896903&sr=8-1

Also what else should I buy at the same time, would like to gather everything I will need at the same time.

[Hawk Lax]

Unless you are experienced with a rotary, you are much better off with a random orbit polisher like the PC. However Griots, AFlex and Meguiars make better Random orbital polishers then the PC. Checkout Detailers Domain one of this site's sponsors for a polisher packaged with pads and the polishes you would need.

[grendelrt]

Originally Posted by Hawk Lax

Unless you are experienced with a rotary, you are much better off with a random orbit polisher like the PC. However Griots, AFlex and Meguiars make better Random orbital polishers then the PC. Checkout Detailers Domain one of this site's sponsors for a polisher packaged with pads and the polishes you would need.

Sweet thanks for the info!

[Suprane]

Do you have any pics of your bumper to see if its "chips" vs swirls/scratches...if the latter the polisher will help but not the usual bumper stuff I see which are small rock chip damage and larger scratches. It may help before you go buying polishers and products which will add up $$$ quickly.

[grendelrt]

Well there are the usual rock chips in the paint, but there are also these white dots all over the front. I can run my finger over the dots and not feel them, so I am hoping a polish will solve the issue. I figure I am over due to buy a polisher anyways :O

[Suprane]

Originally Posted by grendelrt

Well there are the usual rock chips in the paint, but there are also these white dots all over the front. I can run my finger over the dots and not feel them, so I am hoping a polish will solve the issue. I figure I am over due to buy a polisher anyways :O

Sounds good.
I have the Makita and a Flex (random orbital). As Hawk stated, the RA is safer for novices and I use my Flex more often, anyway. The only issue I've found is the Flex has a "somewhat" fixed 5.5 inch backing plate that comes with it and that dictates using pads no smaller than that. So I use a Makita for areas where a smaller pad helps (pillars, bumper etc). The Makita has optional backing plates that I would highly recommend since the included 6.5 inch "honker" is useless IMO. I would get the 4 7/8 inch (125mm) backing plate and the 95 mm backing plate. They use the 5.5 inch and 4 inch pads respectively. (They also have a larger 5 7/8 inch or 150mm that handle 6 or 6.5 inch pads). Can't comment much on the PC since I've never used one. Hope that helps.

[grendelrt]

Originally Posted by Suprane

Sounds good.
I have the Makita and a Flex (random orbital). As Hawk stated, the RA is safer for novices and I use my Flex more often, anyway. The only issue I've found is the Flex has a "somewhat" fixed 5.5 inch backing plate that comes with it and that dictates using pads no smaller than that. So I use a Makita for areas where a smaller pad helps (pillars, bumper etc). The Makita has optional backing plates that I would highly recommend since the included 6.5 inch "honker" is useless IMO. I would get the 4 7/8 inch (125mm) backing plate and the 95 mm backing plate. They use the 5.5 inch and 4 inch pads respectively. (They also have a larger 5 7/8 inch or 150mm that handle 6 or 6.5 inch pads). Can't comment much on the PC since I've never used one. Hope that helps.

I ordered the Prima Polishing package from Detailer's Domain this morning (used that new 20% off coupon too ). Thanks for the help =)

[signes]

Prima's good stuff, nice choice.

[ES_TRADER]

why not Zaino? isnt Zaino a polish???

[Hawk Lax]

Originally Posted by richpuer

why not Zaino? isnt Zaino a polish???

Zaino doesn't know what it is They market products with no cleaning or abrasives as polishes. They still claim microfiber towels are not paint safe. I'm sorry but that is one confused company or they are just 10 years behind the times.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by Hawk Lax

They still claim microfiber towels are not paint safe. I'm sorry but that is one confused company or they are just 10 years behind the times.

Totally Agree!! They tell you to use terry cloth towels.

Also, if you've not familiar with the product line and are doing it for the first time, the instructions are nuts:

Wash with Z-23
Clean with Z-453
Add Z-6563 to Z-223 before applying Z-65747757839 or Z-872372374273

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by Hawk Lax

Zaino doesn't know what it is They market products with no cleaning or abrasives as polishes. They still claim microfiber towels are not paint safe. I'm sorry but that is one confused company or they are just 10 years behind the times.

Really? yea i didnt know that...i still use them dam terry towels....What should i do then?

whats the best way to polish and wax?? is there an easier way without them machines?? I just want a simple doit by hand type of deal. Im not super picky and it doesnt have to be flawless work....but something that protects and seals the deal....shiny of course

[Hawk Lax]

Originally Posted by richpuer

Really? yea i didnt know that...i still use them dam terry towels....What should i do then?

whats the best way to polish and wax?? is there an easier way without them machines?? I just want a simple doit by hand type of deal. Im not super picky and it doesnt have to be flawless work....but something that protects and seals the deal....shiny of course

The easiest products that you can use by hand found in most pepboys etc, would be autoglym super resin polish folowed by their hd wax. I would get some good microfiber towels to remove the polish and wax.

[grendelrt]

Originally Posted by richpuer

Really? yea i didnt know that...i still use them dam terry towels....What should i do then?

whats the best way to polish and wax?? is there an easier way without them machines?? I just want a simple doit by hand type of deal. Im not super picky and it doesnt have to be flawless work....but something that protects and seals the deal....shiny of course

I will probably try out my noob kit this weekend, I will post what I think since it will be my first time polishing.

[grendelrt]

I used the Prima kit this weekend on my bumper. Bumper is slick to the touch now, pretty impressive, I would definitely recommend the kit to someone trying to get started in the polishing area. Detailers domain has been great to deal with also.