Applying Polish, Wax ETC. Hand vs Machine!

[Lynx131]

I read the faq on meguiars and i just wanted a few opinions. Im 16 years onld and have a 97 mustang. I really don't mind spending alot of time detailing my car. I really enjoy doing it. My dad says im going to buff my paint off lol o well. But i was just curious, i was considering saving my money and buying the 250$ meguiars dual action polisher, but i was just wondering has anybody tryed it compared to hands? My dad has a orbital buffer that i really don't like to use because it's huge, it seems like it makes better resulsts than by hand but not really that much difference. Any opinions? Would this be a good buy for me, cosidering like every week i detail my car, doing the paint with a polish until it needs a wax job and then i run through the whole system. Any opinions? Thanks

[Bri9801]

DA Polisher vs Hand.....


DA wins in a landslide/

[Lynx131]

if i was to get a dual action polisher... does it wear the paint off faster than if i was doing it by hand???, becuase this is what is worrying my dad about me getting one, because my paint is already pretty thin compliments on the guy that had the guy before me that didn't like to wax. I hear that it makes the paint alot clearer, but i also don't want to buff my paint off like my dad says it will, any opinions?

[Don]

unless you use an abrasive cleaner fairly often, there is little danger of burning through your paint

[Lynx131]

but just from using the buffer it doesn't slowly wear off the clearcoat?

[Totoland Mach]

I've been using a hand polished method for upteen years (well, over 40 years anyway). I recently purchased a Meguiar's package deal at the Mustang 40th..never owned an electric polisher before.

Got home, did the Mach 1, the wife's Pathfinder, and my beater Suzuki Vitara..all with the Meg's DA polisher and all in one day.

Have to say, there is a significant improvement in the shine using the DA...I mean very noticeable to everyone: me, wife, neighbors.

I am absolutely sold on the Meg's package deals. You don't have to hunt around for piece parts for the polisher, foam pads, etc. I want to purchase and go use the product. Plus, the Meg's folks at the vendor booth in Nashville were super helpful and showed me some excellent tips.

See Ya From Toto Land

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Lynx131
but just from using the buffer it doesn't slowly wear off the clearcoat?

You will wear down the clear coat every time you touch your paint...whether by hand or machine.

The trick is to do a thorough prep job 2 or 3 times a year, and then use less abrasive products to maintain the finish in between.

[Lynn Matthews]

If you are going to break down and buy the DA you will want to keep an eye on the Porter Cable Package Deal for members of Meguiar's Online! post.

Lynn