Power car polishing / buffing / waxing

[janner]

It can cost thousands to get a CE marking. It's not worth them paying to get it approved because there's not much of a market for 110v power tools in Europe. Doesn't mean it's unsafe, just that it's not gone for CE approval.

 

[Goldfish11]

Read this thread several times, and not yet got around to buying a Porter Cable - been waiting for a special occasion, so the cost can be justified to my better half!! Well Christmas and birthday are both approaching fast!!

Pricing various bits and pieces up, and IIRC, the Sonus pad kit is the one to go for, but which - "DAS" or "SFX"?

Would appreciate your thoughts.


Many thanks.

Go for the latest ones which come as a package with the PC from Autopia, I know they have just launched some new pads. I have loads of different pads. I used to have Lakeland but these did tend to break up. All the Sonus pads are great and I just keep using them.

I did my car and my wifes car on Saturday with Klasse All in one. Both cars were completed in less than 6 hours, including a wash. MB had my car in for a service and I told them not to wash it but they did and of course put a few swirls on the car. I got all these out easily on Saturday.

Also I have noticed that after every "thanks giving" in Autopia tend to do a discount sale (10% off) it may be worth waiting a few weeks.

 

[Goldfish11]

CE is a safety marking and can apply to all goods sold in the EU. It is not only electrical items, but IIRC it is to do with electrical emittance and safety.

The voltage is irrelevent, my mobile and desk phones are rated and they are 3.6V, even my spectacles are CE rated.

Maybe the PC just hasn't been submitted for test due to cost or maybe it's not double insulated.
Personally if it is electrically safe and works Ok then I wouldn't worry.

I had a discussion some time ago and the issue was cost and the potential market size. To be quite honest if you are using 110Volt transformer you are far safer then using 240volt. Thousands of Americans use the things and if there was any issues PorterCable would have been taken to the courts by now and would be out of business. Meguiars badge the Porter Cable so in balance I really think the issue is PorterCable do not want to launch a 240volt version, and the market for 110volt versions is so small it is not worth the cost of going through the CE process.

Lets just keep importing them from the USA!

 

[glojo]

All the Sonus pads are great and I just keep using them.

I have only had Sonus Pads and wash them out regularly. Having read some of the posts I was waiting for them to disintegrate, but they are still as good as new and I'm still using the originals.

It is all a matter of choice and of course expense, but if you can afford an orbital polisher then you will never look back.

I cannot recommend a specific make or model, but I am more than pleased with the product I have.

Regards,
John

 

[nigel cross]

Try this sit looks cheap to me but then again my knowledge is very limited


http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porter-cable/polishers.asp:

 

[nigel cross]

sorry the link got lost between cutting and pasting

http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porter-cable/polishers.asp

 

[tinkypot]

sorry the link got lost between cutting and pasting

http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porter-cable/polishers.asp

Nice find.

I really want to get one, but the dizzying array of cleaning/polishing/waxing products on offer just confuses me

Does anyone one know what products to use on a metalic blue/purple (see pic below as I can remember the name/colour code) with some swirles?

Cheers,
Alex:

 

[glojo]

Nice find.

I really want to get one, but the dizzying array of cleaning/polishing/waxing products on offer just confuses me

And me. I think opinions are usually based on personal preference. The porter cable is brilliant, my only observation is its weight! It takes ALL the effort out of applying polish. Buy a decent polish and do NOT apply to much.

We have never used the polisher to take off the polish as in my opinion it is a waste of time and effort. We simply use a nice soft cloth and dust off the polish. I literally mean dust off. We do not apply any pressure and merely glide the cloth over the bodywork. We once put on to much polish and that did present a challenge

John

 

[janner]

I'm a little concerned by this website. It gives no UK address, no VAT number and no phone number (other than 0800).
If you add a Porter Cable to your cart and checkout it says
"Subtotal £ 81.94
Fedex_Express Posting £ 28.43
All VAT Included £ 0.00"

Also in the small print
"Product post using Fedex Express and should arrive within 5 to 10 business days."

So, it's coming from the States, without any VAT paid, presumably also with no import duty paid and no CE mark.
If customs pick it up and charge you duty and VAT who do you complain to, an 0800 number.
Be careful people...

 

[lofty]

Sounds as though you guys know what your doing with these orbital polishers, but if there is anybody out there that has not used one before take great care you can do irreparable damage in seconds so be warned I've seen it not on my car but in the trade.
lofty

 

[Goldfish11]

We don't use "Orbital Polishers" we use "dual action random orbital" these are safe for anyone, even Meguiars have badged the Porter Cable in the USA and recommend it for novices.

I don't think I would dare to use a high speed orbital this is for the pros.

 

[Goldfish11]

sorry the link got lost between cutting and pasting

http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porter-cable/polishers.asp

I would stick with Autopia,
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+MBWu4u+index.html+

a nice company who has never let me down. They also offer excellent advice, just email them and if it does go wrong they will fix it for you, I know of one instance where they just sent out a replacement Porter Cable free of charge. Becuase they only put the replacement value of the items on the package you may be lucky as it may come in below the VAT threshold. There website also does all the calculations for UK postage automatically and I normally get the stuff in 3 days. If you go for a recommended Polisher and Pad package you get everything you need for under $200 or you can get the polisher alone for $129. Buying my PorterCable plus pads from them still has to be the best car care investment I have ever made.

 

[Goldfish11]

Nice find.

I really want to get one, but the dizzying array of cleaning/polishing/waxing products on offer just confuses me

Does anyone one know what products to use on a metalic blue/purple (see pic below as I can remember the name/colour code) with some swirles?

Cheers,
Alex:

Alex,
If you get the Porter Cable from Autopia with the pads there is information on there website on which pads and products to use. (Select Polishers & Polish on the side menu and then click on the How to - links)

For swirl removal a light polish will do the job. I even use Autoglym Super Resin for this. Check out the perfect shine thread for tips.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11481

Good wax for dark cars include Meguiars NXT tech wax and also Autoglym ultra deep shine. These are a bit of a cheat as they have fillers in the product that fill swirl to make it less visible. Really you should do it properly and polish it out, preparation is everything

 

[w77]

I've just bought the cordless Meguiars random polisher through ebay (brand new). Just wondering if how long do you have to charge the battery to get a full charge. Charged it for 12 hours but when I tried to operate it the battery only lasted for two minutes then it died completely. From what I've read on the net each battery should last up to an hour before it needs topping up, or do I have a faulty one.

 

[C43AMG]

I've just bought the cordless Meguiars random polisher through ebay (brand new). Just wondering if how long do you have to charge the battery to get a full charge. Charged it for 12 hours but when I tried to operate it the battery only lasted for two minutes then it died completely. From what I've read on the net each battery should last up to an hour before it needs topping up, or do I have a faulty one.

Yes i bought a Cordless polisher from Mequiars and had the same thing happen to me on two occasions, which i sent back.Mequiars where very good and refunded me straight away. They said they where having a lot of trouble with the charge, so i decided not to have a third one. I have just bought a Porter Cable.
Mequiars Tel No is 0870 241 6696. The manager there is a lady, i don't remember her name but she was very helpful.
I don't know how you will get on as you bought it from eBay, you can only but try. Good Luck.

 

[w77]

Yes i bought a Cordless polisher from Mequiars and had the same thing happen to me on two occasions, which i sent back.Mequiars where very good and refunded me straight away. They said they where having a lot of trouble with the charge, so i decided not to have a third one. I have just bought a Porter Cable.
Mequiars Tel No is 0870 241 6696. The manager there is a lady, i don't remember her name but she was very helpful.
I don't know how you will get on as you bought it from eBay, you can only but try. Good Luck.

Thanks very much, will give them a call tomorrow.

 

[Goldfish11]

My research revealed that the cordless units just can not do a good job. They are great for applying waxes but they don't have the power to work the polish well.

Hence the reason I went for the Porter Cable. If I could get away with a cordless I would have, but I have not found many positive reviews on these units.

Save your money and go for a Porter Cable seems to be the message.

I hope you get your money back.

 

[jdrrco]

Anyone used one of these? If so, any good?

http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Farecla_Uni_Series.html

 

[westside]

exactly the cordless one are a waste of money I purchased my mop for 75 quid inc the sponge, don't use lamb wool or anything as that cauase swirl marks, wet the sponge and use some fine 3m glaze that will remove the swirl marks, the pad must be wet to avoid to much heat build up, I have posted the results of the merc and the finished bmw in the bodywork section. I'd def buy one which runs of the electric or a compressor, I was gonan get the compressor one but I am normally using that when i change suspension for dudes

 

[motormail]

Porter cable

Had a guy round today to sort my SLk chippy bonnet (lazulite). He used one of those Porter Cable DA polisher. Did a great job with it.
Weired paint touch up system but worked a treat.
He cleans up the chips smears paint on with his finger! put polish on it immediately and then buffs it?
Any way the outcome was a bonnet that was 99% better and from 3 foot away was perfect. Said it was an American paint system used to prep auction cars before sale. A pal of mine works for our local BMW dealer says they use him saves them a fortune. oh yes he did a scuff and a scratch with it as well.I had contacted "chips away" said they didnt do bonnet chips???
Mercedes Blackpool had quoted me £270 plus materials to repair it so £45 didnt seem to bad. Guaranteed me it would not power wash out .any way I took it to the wash it , he was right .
I think it was a franchise Pro-touch in Blackpool.
Tel 07917 855 188
Warren