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I just purchased a Rockford Orbital polisher/buffer a few days ago to use on my 2006 Charger Daytona. I haven't used it yet, but I was speaking to the owner of an upscale auto paint shop (does Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, etc.) and he advised against using any power polisher on modern clear coat finishes. He said that nothing beats waxing by hand with a microfibre cloth. He claims that years ago when lacquer paints were being used, a power polisher was a great tool to use. But, with the newer water based clear coat paints, one is better off waxing by hand and that the only time to use a power polisher is if one was trying to clean or remove slightly oxidized paint before applying a coat of wax. Can anyone shed anymore light on the subject of power waxing vs. hand waxing and should I be returning this orbital polisher to Walmart? Also, my polisher came with a cloth wax applicator bonnet and a wool bonnet. Am I better off using a foam pad for wax application and a microfibre bonnet for waxing?
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
If all you're trying to do is "Spread out a coating of wax", then using an orbital polisher is completely safe as long as you're bonnet is clean, the car is clean and you're using a quality wax.
The biggest problems with "Machine" are when some painter or detailer uses a rotary buffer either incorrectly or without some kind of follow-up polishing step to remove any swirls or holograms inflicted by the rotary buffer.
Orbital Polishers and DA Polishers are completely safe for clear coats as long as everything you're using is clean and the paint is clean.
If you use an abrasive wax or if a dirt particle gets trapped between the paint and the bonnet then this dirt particle could inflict swirls and scratches but microfiber bonnets won't.
Just make sure the car is clean and your bonnets are clean and use a non-abrasive, quality brand wax and you'll be fine.
Apply a thin coat, let it fully dry, and then either remove by hand using microfiber polishing cloths, or remove with your polisher using clean, dry microfiber bonnets.
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
He may have been referring to an rotary buffer rather than an orbital. Orbitals and DA's as Mike stated are safe on all clear coats as long as you use them correctly and you work clean. Not to menchon its alot faster and easier than working by hand""Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing - the result." - Vince Lombardi
Jon's Premium Auto Detailing
210-281-8151Comment
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
Originally posted by Derrick View Post
To me the G100 is just about impossible to mess up up your paint. Just my opinion.
quality creates its own demandComment
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
Originally posted by Silverbaby View Post
Your source has good points, but as mentioned, a PC or G100 is nearly Bubba-proof and can take your finish to an entirely new level with almost no risk. You said he runs a paint shop, not a detail shop so I agree that he is probably refering to a rotary, not the PC or G100.
Many will use the PC/G100 to (to quote Mike) "take your finish to its maximum potential," then maintain the finish by hand applications of polish and wax.Don
12/27/2015
"Darth Camaro"
2013 Camaro ... triple black
323 hp V6, 6 speed manualComment
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
Does any body have used the 3000 system by 3MComment
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Re: Power waxing vs. hand waxing
Originally posted by pollo View Post
How about starting a new thread with your question instead of tagging it onto this thread about applying products by hand or machine?
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