Electric Polisher

[Bobjacqs]

HI All,

I want to buy an electric polisher. Or do I? I already have an electric drill and an angle grinder.  Can I use these? And if not, any advice about what to get? There are some really cheap ones around but are they any good?  I'm not aiming at concours, just something shinier than I have already got, which is car that has probably never been polished since it left the showroom in 1998.

Cheers

Bob 

[dobbo]

I struggled with mine on the multiple curves on the s1. Wouldn't bother again.

[Bobjacqs]

I did wonder about that... not much flat area to lay the polisher down on. Maybe I should just use elbow grease. Or leave it alone.

[kieranexige]

God I'm going to get shot down by scatty for talking about polishers.

 

A Das 6 pro or similar is going to be a cracking buy. With the correct use and correct pads / compounds it will yield great results.

 

However have you thought about having it detailed properly? You could have it de swirled etc and then Coated in a ceramic coating that means virtually no maintenance for 2 years other than a decent 2 bucket wash. Had Kerris golf done in September and its still swirl free and beads water like the day it was done.

[scatty]

It's ok Rozzer, I didn't nod off for long......

 

Ha ha ha, your favourite thread of 2016....... ;-)

[Phil S1]

The DAS-6 PRO intro kit worked a treat for me, although it would be worth getting a smaller backing plate/pads for the air intake scoops in the doors of an S1...

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher-menzerna-intro-kit/prod_720.html

[kieranexige]

Cracking buy that Phil

 

I buy all my gear from cleanyourcar or elitecarcare. Both are cracking suppliers.

 

The good thing about cleanyourcar is you get credit to cash back layer with each purchase.

 

I would say that if you have never done it before than spending time with a professional detailer beforehand is beneficial. My father on law had his done 6 years ago and spend 6 hours with one of the best in the buisness. It's amazing what you learn and wrong you see everyday people washing / polishing.

[Alex B]

HI All,

I want to buy an electric polisher. Or do I? I already have an electric drill and an angle grinder. Can I use these? And if not, any advice about what to get? There are some really cheap ones around but are they any good? I'm not aiming at concours, just something shinier than I have already got, which is car that has probably never been polished since it left the showroom in 1998.

Cheers

Bob

Not sure on your location Bob, but Shop and Shine in Derby is very good. They also offer full valeting services. The lads there are very knowledgable and helpful.

I also have a 10%discount code kicking around somewhere.

[Bobjacqs]

Well thanks for the replies, guys. You've given me a lot of things to think about.

I hadn't thought to get it valeted/detailed professionally but that maybe one solution.  One problem is that it has lots of chips in the paintwork and lots of scratches as it's a hard worked road legal competition car and its appearance has always taken second place to performance mods.

I'll have a ponder.

[chumaxa]

A professional detailing could be so expensive that you would consider again buying the polishing kit  

[kieranexige]

Potentially depending on how far you wanted to go around £3-400 is where you want to start looking.

 

Here's a idea of what's possible......

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=71622

[Bobjacqs]

That polishing kit is sooo cheap ;-)

[Daveb99]

I have a Das 6 Pro. Very easy to use and easy to get into the S1 contours with a smaller pad & plate. I've only used it once (bought last year) but the results were superb. My paintwork was very good to start with - but it has definitely got rid of the fine swirls and worked on a couple of the slightly deeper marks too. Somehow I was presented with a concours trophy by Clive Chapman last summer only a few days after I used it.......says it all I guess

 

I reckon done properly, it's a once or twice a year thing.

[lukevx]

If it's already chipped and scratched it's probably not worth getting a professional detail done (they can't make paint look good if it isn't there!) for far less money you could get all the kit to do a decent enough job yourself - that das6 pro deal above is stunning value, I have the same machine. Not done the lotus yet but did a few vx's, paint on those was very soft so a finishing pad and low cut compound was enough to clear swirls, I'd imagine a lotus will be the same.

 

Once it's done a decent sealant or wax on it should last 3-6 months depending on usage/storage etc.

 

Probably 12 months before you need the DA on it again unless you drag your wash mitt across the ground before you clean it

[Eric]

If it's already chipped and scratched it's probably not worth getting a professional detail done (they can't make paint look good if it isn't there!) for far less money you could get all the kit to do a decent enough job yourself - that das6 pro deal above is stunning value, I have the same machine. Not done the lotus yet but did a few vx's, paint on those was very soft so a finishing pad and low cut compound was enough to clear swirls, I'd imagine a lotus will be the same.

 

Once it's done a decent sealant or wax on it should last 3-6 months depending on usage/storage etc.

 

Probably 12 months before you need the DA on it again unless you drag your wash mitt across the ground before you clean it

 

Yep, Lotus paint is incredibly soft.  I can even see where some clumsy oaf at the garage rubbed a paint chip with their finger (I think checking whether it was actually a chip or not).  Now I have scratches all around the paint chip!!!