Detailing for dummies: I'm the dummy-Wash mitts have entered the chat; possibly other things you stick your hands into!

[red_jesus]

Right...which you could use to get UV protection for sealed leather. Which was indicated no less than 4 ish posts up,

Do people not read a few posts up for current conversion(s) context?

No need for that type of response when we are here to simply help. You do you homie

 

[tmw2442]

Using regular ONR, would do nothing (for adding protection).

He was asking to clean and "most importantly for protection" for sealed type leather surfaces. Which regular ONR would not be "helpful" for all his criteria. No need to jump to be offended on the internet, potato salad.

 

[riceburner]

I figure uv protection is important. However over the years ive seen some vw leather seats hold up great and some get destroyed. Since its such a ssaled leather idk what else to chaulk it up to other than too much heat/cold or lack of uv protection. All said i do leather tratments just to restore the feel and smell lol

 

[Salami]

Updated first post with new thread direction.

Todays topic: Random orbital or dual action polishers.

Are there other good options in the $100-$170 range?

Didn't see a specific recommendation that was made.

I have a max budget of $200 for a machine. Will still need to purchase whatever needed accessories such as backing plates, pads, etc.

It will be used for paint correction on my Golf R and then used a few times a year for light polishing and waxing of the vehicles in the household.

Is there an orbital polisher that will be versatile enough to fit my needs and budget? Any machines that use different size backing plates? I am guessing 5" for majority of the work and something smaller for exterior trim?

Adam's is having a 25% off sale; are any of their machines worth buying?

 

[Maiden69]

I have a max budget of $200 for a machine. Will still need to purchase whatever needed accessories such as backing plates, pads, etc.

https://www.autogeek.net/bupo.html#...4&sort_method=selling_price.filter/asc&page=1

The Griots are the only ones within your budget... but the one at $169 is only a 9mm throw machine, which is 1mm more than the old Porter Cable. If you don't mind taking triple the time to complete your car it could be an ok option.
https://www.autogeek.net/new-griots-polisher.html

This one is a 15mm throw, which is the standard now for most 5" pad polishers. Adam's polishers are in the middle of the tiers, while Griots is on the lower tiers. My first "decent" machine was their 21mm swirl killer when they first came out, I still have it. I had to replace the trigger once, but I was using it every week to correct paint, so as a once in a while thing it should last a long time.
https://adamspolishes.com/collectio...products/adam-s-swirl-killer-15mm-lt-polisher

If you can save up a little, I would highly recommend the Rupes 15ES. This machine was $469 when it came out, it is sold now for $315 because the new generation is out. This is a work horse, and it will last until you can no longer detail your cars with minimal maintenance. I have a Zentool 15mm, and the only reason I bought it was because all of Rupes machines were in the high $400's at the time. Zentool are very good, but with the Rupes priced lower it is a no-brainer deal to get it instead.
https://www.autogeek.net/rupes-lhr-15es-big-foot-polisher.html

It will be used for paint correction on my Golf R and then used a few times a year for light polishing and waxing of the vehicles in the household.

You don't need a polisher for waxing, and it actually lessen the bond of the wax by slightly heating it. Apply by hand.

Is there an orbital polisher that will be versatile enough to fit my needs and budget? Any machines that use different size backing plates? I am guessing 5" for majority of the work and something smaller for exterior trim?

As far as I know there is only one of two machines that can do this, and both are over $500. I can detail 90% of a car with a 5", a 3" will get the rest. I had a business so I also own a Rupes iBrid nano that I use only for trim.

The only time you will really need a 6" pad is when doing a large SUV or pickup truck, and even then I still use my 5" most of the time.

Adam's is having a 25% off sale; are any of their machines worth buying?

The one I posted above would be the one I would get it I was buying my first machine from them. The 6" is too large to polish cars.

 

[Salami]

Need to paint correct my daughter's A3 this weekend.

The car has PPF on the front bumper, fenders, mirrors, A pillars and leading edge of roof. Don't want to mess with a ceramic coating just yet.

Any suggestions for a quality wax or some sort of sealant I can use after the correction? Ideally something I can local or from Amazon since I left this to last minute.

 

[SierraCarrera]

Need to paint correct my daughter's A3 this weekend.

The car has PPF on the front bumper, fenders, mirrors, A pillars and leading edge of roof. Don't want to mess with a ceramic coating just yet.

Any suggestions for a quality wax or some sort of sealant I can use after the correction? Ideally something I can local or from Amazon since I left this to last minute.

Griot’s Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax (the lime green stuff), super easy to apply, insane gloss/slickness and lasts a looong time

 

[riceburner]

whats the best way to clean polishing pads during the process these days? air compressor and a blowout tool?

 

[El_bigote_AJ]

whats the best way to clean polishing pads during the process these days? air compressor and a blowout tool?

This seems to be the latest way I’ve seen pro praising pad cleaning with…

Bucket cleaner

I’ve alway heard air actually breaks downs your pads pretty bad.

 

[riceburner]

jesus h. that is so awesome and completed unaffordable lol.

yeah i feel the same about air. oh well just got a compressor anyway because i wanted to use it for blowing stuff out, tires, and a tornador. so guess i'll find out this weekend when polishing a bmw. suppose i can just set the limit low to be safe

 

[riceburner]

update to post above - got a small air compressor and a tornador blow out tool, which works great for pre/post vacuuming carpets but also for blowing out pads. win win. small little compressor though so i can only use it for like 30 seconds at a time lol

new topic - polishing a customers boat tomorrow. Learned boats are 'gel coat' finish, similar to carbon fiber parts on cars. seems like 110% of people use a rotary polisher on boats so i went and got a $40, 10 amp, 7" polisher from harbor freight and a big ole' wool pad, and some mequiars compound. The key apparently to boats is to remove all of the oxidation from the clear coat then wax them. haven't 'waxed' in forever now lol but thats what i'm gonna do, i guess!

been wanting to try rotary polishing for a while now so why not start on a customers boat lol

 

[Pineapple]

I too am the dummy.

I never wash my car, and it lives outside under a tree. I don't have access to running water outside, so I'd need to tote buckets down from my third floor apartment. Also it's going to get cold soon and become salt season.

What can I do and what products can I use to clean my car more than what I'm doing now (nothing at all).

 

[tmw2442]

I too am the dummy.

I never wash my car, and it lives outside under a tree. I don't have access to running water outside, so I'd need to tote buckets down from my third floor apartment. Also it's going to get cold soon and become salt season.

What can I do and what products can I use to clean my car more than what I'm doing now (nothing at all).

A couple gallon bucket, grit guard, ONR wash and wax, couple microfiber towels, synthetic clay towel, a 16 to 32 oz spray bottle and a Big Red Sponge. Use the clay towel, a couple times a year with some type of iron de-con lube spray (fall and spring time).

Search on the youtube on how to use it and stop parking underneath the damn tree (more harm than good).

 

[gixxerfool]

I too am the dummy.

I never wash my car, and it lives outside under a tree. I don't have access to running water outside, so I'd need to tote buckets down from my third floor apartment. Also it's going to get cold soon and become salt season.

What can I do and what products can I use to clean my car more than what I'm doing now (nothing at all).

I’m sure many will disagree with me, and rightfully so, but with the fall coming in quick I wanted to coat my wife’s GLI before winter. At minimum:
Hand wash, clay, and wash again, then coat.

Realistically, there should be an iron decontamination and polish after the clay, but time wasn’t on my side.

I use the Turtle Wax spray coat with graphene. I love this product. It will last through winter for me. My first wash of spring after you rinse, leave wet then spray two sprays per panel and rinse and then dry. It will top it off and keep the coating fresh. I went through the multi step once over 2 years ago and it’s still going strong with top ups.

 

[riceburner]

winter - buy ammo BOOST and add it to your car wash soap!

keys to this product are that it breaks down and softens salt, but also provenly provides some corrosion resistance - so you can like foam the underside of your car and walk away.

pretty win-win product, i've been through only two bottles in like 6 years lol just adding a squirt during winter washes; and one to add some into my foam cannon

https://ammonyc.com/products/boost-...q9eNMazHNQBqTbfTkldca-7h49wOJYF4qb6q113G1d5Wu