Car polishers

[Thekilt]

I need to give the car a good polish to take out loads of scratches. I’ve been looking at polishing machines, however I did see you can get polishing pads for orbital sanders. Has anyone used an orbital sander as a polished for the car?
It seems odd none of the car specific polishers are cordless. I’m interested in getting the Bosch cordless sander as I have a few of the 18v batteries for the drill, strimmer etc.

[Austin160]

Pending someone coming forward with up to date knowledge, but I think I recall that sanders are too fast to be adapted for correct polishing. Could be wrong.

[Rustyfrog]

I have been mildly interested in getting an electric polisher for years, but have always been put off by tales of over polishing and burning in inexperienced hands.

So that idea was put aside!

[ITSv40]

I have recently bought a DAS6 polisher and it has been a total revelation regarding ease of use and finished results. I too have been very sceptical of burning paint and or over polishing, but that is truly unfounded.

I would reccommend a DAS6 - industry standard - and go for a 900w motor. Given the amount of time the machine is in use - while being used, if you see what I mean - a mains machine is essential, a cordless will not have enough 'oomph' or last long enough to get the job done.

Attachment shows finished result after first use of the machine - will never go back to hand polishing.

[4x4]

Sander wold be too fast for polishing a car. It takes a lot of practise and confidence to poloish scratched tout to the point that you are happy to accept. Best to go to a scrapyard and but an old panel and practise on that rather than your own car

[The Thong]

How deep are the scratches? What’s your expectation? What state is your clear coat in? Depending on the depth of scratches you might not be able to remove em. Get too enthusiastic and you can go through your clear coat.

https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/pr...polishing-kit/

A bit of practice would be a good idea before you attack your motor. There’s plenty of how to’s on the net so have a swotting session first.

TT

[rxtian]

I’ve been wondering about this: https://www.meguiars.co.uk/shop/da-power-system
As I already have a cordless drill with about 6 batteries (shared between other tools).

Not sure what the ergonomics would be like tho...

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by Thekilt

I need to give the car a good polish to take out loads of scratches. I’ve been looking at polishing machines, however I did see you can get polishing pads for orbital sanders. Has anyone used an orbital sander as a polished for the car?
It seems odd none of the car specific polishers are cordless. I’m interested in getting the Bosch cordless sander as I have a few of the 18v batteries for the drill, strimmer etc.

1/ a sander , as said probably will not have the speed range you need to machine polish
2/ as said by a few, pop to the scrappies and get a panel to practice on

there ARE cordless polishers that will do the job, you are however looking at the thick end of £500 + batteries (Flex range of tools )


https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8647300
£50
then you are Going to need
Backing plate for 5inch pads
5 inch pads
as the Supplied pad is , useless
you will Probably need
a 3inch backing plate
3 inch pads

for pads you are Going to need
Cutting pad
Finishing pad
in Both sizes and At least 3 of each per size (thats 12 pads)
a cutting compound
a finishing compound

Masking tape for edges/rubbers/etc etc
panel wipe
Microfiber cloths

the DA polisher is the Cheaper part of the setup

as TT says correctly, the scratches Maybe too deep to correct,
you also need to know
a/ Has the car been resprayed,
b/ has the car had any "smart so called repairs" done
c/ has the car been machine polished in the past

miss anyone of those three and you Could if you do not go VERY carefully end up needing a respray

with a Dual action polisher it is difficult to "burn" the paint but not impossible



me , i have corrected 2x V50s so far, and a fair few other cars.

it Can be done, it takes Time, skill (which you Can learn practice panel)

[Thekilt]

thanks for the comments. I wil scrap the idea of the orbital sander. Think i might try good old elbow grease first see what results i get. I can shift my arm around at decent speeds.
Ive checked youtube for plenty of videos about scratches and which ones can be polished out, sanded and polished out, or that requries touch up whether it be clear coat or top coat and clear coat. I will start on small areas when i get a decent cutting paste and polish. I have been using T-cut on some of the small scratches, but thats runnign out so need to get some more or try something else.

What do people recommend for cutting paste/polish, and finishing polish prior to waxing? i was looking at Meguirs scratch x and then Autoglym polish.

[Austin160]

Personally, I wouldn’t use T Cut.
For cutting compounds I would use Farecla G3 (coarser) and G10 (finer), following their instructions, and using a spray of water over the area.
Polish? No doubt you will have your own preference, but I’ve used Autoglym Resin polish for years.
Better ones about?
Kind regards,
Austin.