Power car polishing / buffing / waxing

[Goldfish11]

4 inch Sonus "spot" pads

Autopia are doing some 4 inch Sonus "spot" pads and 3.5 inch backing plates.

I have just ordered a few up to give them a try. What is good about this is you can focus your polishing power into a smaller area to deal with stubborn swirl or scratches without the need to polish a larger area. You can also do those fiddly bits like bumpers more easily.

Prices are $11.95 for backing plate and $5.95 for the pads. Exchange rate is still good and worst of all it seems you can buy Autoglym as cheap or cheaper than you can get it in the U.K.

Use the link below and then select the "Dual Action Polishers" side menu for details

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+MBWu4u+index.html+

 

[ASIM]

I've taken the plunge too and put an order in for the following:

Name Code Qty Each Options
------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Porter Cable 7424 7424 BASIC 1 129.95
Polisher
Klasse - Menzerna KLA-COM 1 75.00
Complete Kit
P21S Car Care Kit P21S-KIT 1 59.95
Green Giant Polishing Pad GGF-65 1 19.95
for German Vehicles
Pad Kits for polishing GER-DLX 1 79.95
German paints: Deluxe Pad
Kit for Polishing German
Paints
Subtotal 364.80
Shipping 22.95
Tax 25.54
Total 413.29

 

[ASIM]

Sorry about the last post - posted before I had finished.

I ended up ordering from properautocare as autopia do not do the 3in green pad and it had got some really good reviews. Both sites were similar in price but ended up going for properautocare. Did ask for a discount but none was given shipping was 98.75 and no tax was charged in the US. However did get stung at this end for £54! Total cost = miss a mortgage payment, but it's worth it

The only problem I have now is figuring out how to wire the blasted porter cable so it works.......

HELP!!!

Asim

 

[glojo]

Sorry about the last post - posted before I had finished.

I ended up ordering from properautocare as autopia do not do the 3in green pad and it had got some really good reviews. Both sites were similar in price but ended up going for properautocare. Did ask for a discount but none was given shipping was 98.75 and no tax was charged in the US. However did get stung at this end for £54! Total cost = miss a mortgage payment, but it's worth it

The only problem I have now is figuring out how to wire the blasted porter cable so it works.......

HELP!!!

Asim

Hi,
You need a 110Volt transformer which I bought from screwfix. I bought the double one, but be warned they are heavy!

Autopia delivered by Parcelforce and we never had to pay any customs.

Was yours delivered by Parcelforce and were you at home to accept the delivery?

John

 

[ASIM]

Hi I have the transformer etc and the plug - I need to wire the 110v plug to the porter cable which came with a two pin plug. Ive taken the 2 pin plug off but am unsure how to wire it to the 3 pin 11ov one.

the wife was home when parcelforce delivered - it had obviously got stopped at customs and they had levied the charge. I was not too surprised espescially as it was a large parcel. Ah well such is life!

 

[glojo]

Hi I have the transformer etc and the plug - I need to wire the 110v plug to the porter cable which came with a two pin plug. Ive taken the 2 pin plug off but am unsure how to wire it to the 3 pin 11ov one.

the wife was home when parcelforce delivered - it had obviously got stopped at customs and they had levied the charge. I was not too surprised espescially as it was a large parcel. Ah well such is life!

Hi Asim,
I'm a bit crook at the moment and cannot get to my plugs to check what I done. I used to have a memory, but sadly I have forgotten where it is. If you haven't got a reply tonight could you just post a quick reminder and I'll check what I done with mine tomorrow morning. (I've asked for the reminder because I'll forget otherwise )

How annoying about the customs!!! It is certainly a hit or miss procedure. Still it looks like you tried to buy out the shop!!!

We are extremely impressed with the polisher and cannot recommend it enough. I recommend you read all of the tips given by Goldfish!!! You do not need much polish, and we found it easier to use a cloth and simply dust off the polish off by hand.

Good luck,
John

 

[Aletank]

If i remember right - there's only 2 wires to connect but here's the American colour system

White - Neutral
Black - Live
Green - Earth

 

[glojo]

If i remember right - there's only 2 wires to connect but here's the American colour system

White - Neutral
Black - Live
Green - Earth

Agreed via pm this morning. A brilliant gadget, well worth the investment.

John

 

[Goldfish11]

Good deals at Autopia

I have just noticed that Autopia are having a sale for PC equipment at the moment. The Porter Cable 7424 is reduced to $119 and the Sonus Pad set is $37.56 so you can get set up for $156 (about £90) plus your postage. This would seem a good deal.

If you do decide to go for one please use my linky below when you purchase so I get a brownie point


Autopia http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+MBWu4u+index.html+

 

[CHRISF]

Best Polish ?

guys, the general concensus is that Meguires is the best polish for a deep shine ? Before i go and buy myself a load, would appreciate some advice. No buffer machine, all by hand for now, but in time i am pretty sure i will have to invest in one. Anyone suggest what they consider to be their best ?

 

[CHRISF]

Fantastic shine, some good work done there. Learning about this polish stuff all the time. Take it turtle was no longer cuts it ?

 

[Goldfish11]

guys, the general concensus is that Meguires is the best polish for a deep shine ? Before i go and buy myself a load, would appreciate some advice. No buffer machine, all by hand for now, but in time i am pretty sure i will have to invest in one. Anyone suggest what they consider to be their best ?

It all depends how you define "best" a polish may be great at shine, but has no resilience, it may give great resilience but less shine. It also depends a bit on the colour of the car.

Meguiars NXT Tech Wax is great on Black Cars but resilience is less then Autoglym. Autoglym now have a product for dark cars that competes with this. Layering waxes gets around this a bit (See the thread "How to create the perfect paint work shine" for details)

It is down to personal preference, what suits you application method, the paint type etc, just use a high quality brand not cheap stuff you get what you pay for.

I use Autoglym, Meguirars, Car-lack etc. It all depends on what I am trying to acheive. I will soon be giving my car a coat of Autoglym or Car lack because winter is coming and I dont really want to be out polishing for about 5 months, so I will need resilience. Also light levels are less so deep shine is less noticable.

 

[plgibson]

Any views on Klasse all in one system?

 

[CHRISF]

Brill post Goldfish, many many thanks for that. I currently use Autoglym but purchased it when using it on a brand new car i bought (suggested by local dealer). Had a superb shine, but you would expect that from a brand new metallic car. The CLK i have now is in pretty good condition, but was not convinced that the Autoglym polish i was using would go deep enough for the cars paintwork. Not in need for "t" cutting - hate the stuff. But had heard about the Meguires NXT (or whatever). Would not do any harm in buying some i take it ?

 

[Dieselman]

Brill post Goldfish, many many thanks for that. I currently use Autoglym but purchased it when using it on a brand new car i bought (suggested by local dealer). Had a superb shine, but you would expect that from a brand new metallic car. The CLK i have now is in pretty good condition, but was not convinced that the Autoglym polish i was using would go deep enough for the cars paintwork. Not in need for "t" cutting - hate the stuff. But had heard about the Meguires NXT (or whatever). Would not do any harm in buying some i take it ?

For a good shine first clay bar the car then use a polish then a wax.
Stick with the least abrasive product and do the car regularly. That will give a brilliant shine without wearing the paint down.

 

[Goldfish11]

Brill post Goldfish, many many thanks for that. I currently use Autoglym but purchased it when using it on a brand new car i bought (suggested by local dealer). Had a superb shine, but you would expect that from a brand new metallic car. The CLK i have now is in pretty good condition, but was not convinced that the Autoglym polish i was using would go deep enough for the cars paintwork. Not in need for "t" cutting - hate the stuff. But had heard about the Meguires NXT (or whatever). Would not do any harm in buying some i take it ?

Meguiars NXT will do no harm to your Autoglym BUT Autoglym now have a new polish for Black cars which competes with NXT. I have just got a bottle from Halfords but have not tried it yet.

 

[Goldfish11]

For a good shine first clay bar the car then use a polish then a wax.
Stick with the least abrasive product and do the car regularly. That will give a brilliant shine without wearing the paint down.

Totally Agree, if the cars new you need very little abrasion just a good cleaner. Autoglym Super Resin, Klasse all in one or the Car lack will do this. Clay is great, you can now get from Autopia a super fine clay with very little abrasion. Best of all is P21S paintwork cleaner.

You often find that many swirls are not in the paint but in the actual polish, so a quick clean will dramatically improve the finish without having to remove any surface of the paint.

 

[Goldfish11]

Any views on Klasse all in one system?

It gives an excellent finish, but you really need the Klasse Sealant Glaze to finish it off. Check out the "perfect shine thread" I use Klasse in this.

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

 

[plgibson]

Hi Goldfish
thanks for the info. Used your link to get Porter Power kit and accs. Customs missed me! Need power supply now any further info going on from whats already in this thread.
Thanks

 

[mw_C32]

Anybody wants a transformer try these...USA to UK Transformer

Dont know if they work or not but seem a cheaper/better bet than 110v builders transformer so I have ordered one. If interested I will let you know if it works. and no need to change/re-wire the plug.

And yes I have just received my PC also missed customs total cost £135.00 for the sonus PC kit and some small pads too. Arrived within 4 days, not bad.