Meguiar's DA Power System

[Flet]

I expect on a Meguiar's forum that the answer is a "Yes" but I'll ask anyways, more because I want to hear from those with experience.

Is the DA Power System (the one that you use with a power corded drill) effective at removing swirl marks (obviously if done properly)?

How do those with amateur detailing experience find using the DA power system? They are on sale right now at Canadian Tire and I really do want to remove the swirl marks from my new (used) Dodge Journey.
But I don't want to spend $45 on the system to find it's not all that great.

[Flet]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

In addition, can I make use of the DA Power System and some UC even though I've waxed the car about 3 weeks ago? Or will I be working harder through a layer of wax (Ultimate Liquid Wax)?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

There are threads on here that show excellent work accomplished with the DAPS so, yes, it's certainly capable of removing swirls. But swirl removal, regardless of tool/pad/liquid is always going to be contingent on how severe the swirls are, what you want as an end result, and how hard the paint is. While there's no doubt that a DA like the MT300 is going to get the job done faster, and quite possibly to a higher level - but really, unless you're going after a true show car shine and are willing to put in many, many hours to achieve same, most probably wouldn't notice the difference.

If you've got a decent quality corded drill - cordless almost never have the grunt to accomplish actual defect removal although they can be used to apply wax - then you should be more than fine. Since overall correcting power is down compared to a DA polisher, we really do recommend Ultimate Compound on the burgundy cutting pad for defect removal, followed by Ultimate Polish on the yellow pad to refine the finish and boost gloss, and your wax of choice on the black pad to finish it all off. That said, you certainly can use any of the Mirror Glaze compounds with the DAPS as well - M100 is a definite step up in cutting power over UC, for example. You can use the 3" microfiber pads as well, but the forced rotation nature of the DAPS can lead to some fairly obvious hazing with microfiber on softer paints. Obviously that would be more noticeable on darker colors.

A quick search of the forum revealed these:

Using the DAPS for my first full correction (Picture Heavy)
Tested out the DA Power System over the weekend
Review: Meguiar's DA Power System

And some headlight cleaning as a bonus:
Random Act of Polishing

[Flet]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

Thanks again Mike.
Funny thing about using searches, I tried before posting (figuring I'm not the first to ask/wonder) and yet I yielded no good results. Must all come down to words/spelling.

[Flet]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

So what product are you supposed to use to clean the pads while you are working along the car? Just rinse in water? Wipe down only? How often do you clean the pad between sections you are buffing?

[Blueline]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

I have and use the DAPS, and it is a great little tool. It can and will take out swirls and light scratches that cannot be felt with a fingernail. In all honesty, and in my experience, it is not a great tool for doing a whole car in an evening, unless you stagger it over a couple of days. Holding a drill in in the various positions is rather tiresome and not very ergonomically friendly. I only use mine to spot correct.
I never clean my pads (I have one for UC and one for UP and wax by hand) while working along the car. If I don't finish what I am doing in an evening and plan to finish up next day, I just out the pads in a baggy. When I do clean them to put it away for some time, I hand wash them in dish soap and fairly hot water, rinse well, and let air dry. Do take care of those pads. They are ridiculously expensive for a little piece of foam. Probably make my own when these go T U.

[GLOCKer]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

I regret buying my DA Power system. I wish I had just saved the money and put it towards purchasing the Meguiar's DA. It's okay, but not quite aggressive for my needs, even as an armature detailer. Also, it can be a bit awkward working some panels with the ergonomics of the power drill. It's good enough though for some spot compounding; I was able to work some scratches out on my driver side B and C pillars. But it's making slow work of a scratch on my hood.

Maybe I can ask for a real DA for Christmas from my wife. But I don't think she is going to get me a DA, a Ford GT500 spoiler for my car, the bagger for my mower, and a GLOCk 43. LOL

[Jarhead0754]

I would buy the glock 1st before Obama tries to take it away or put u on a national registry for the un.

[thedoc46]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

I have both the DAPS and MT300. I also had some nasty bird droppings etched into my back in feb this yr, brand new car, that the dealer spent a good 15mins and was unable to get out (in their defense it was sunny and hard to see on a white car) Anyway, back when the MT300 was just being launched, which i ordered it, but got impatient waiting for it to arrive, so i took to the deep etchings with the DA / maroon pad and UC. Within a few mins they were history !!! I have a dewalt corded drill (sorry can't remember the model) but its the hammer one for around $100... Anyway, I highly recommend the DAPS.. The MT300 gives you better options and comfort, and if truth be told, i was gonig to do an entire car, i'd spend the extra and get the MT300. But for a quick bird dropping that's not going by hand, and if you're tight on cash, then the DAPS is more than sufficient.

[Flet]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

I can't even find anywhere to buy the MT300 in Canada. And it's about $250 US, so with exchange and shipping, it's 5 times or more the cost of the $45 DAPS at Canadian Tire.

Does anyone up north know where they can get an MT300?

[Blueline]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

Canadian Tire has a Porter Cable for 189.00

[Flet]

Re: Meguiar's DA Power System

I went ahead and bought the DAPS while on sale. I'm going to give it a spin this weekend. If it works well, I'll go ahead and work panel by panel for a week (I'm in no rush) and see how it goes.

Thanks all.