Finally purchased a DA polisher!

[Eldorado2k]

Ha! Well said^ And thank you for the positive vibes. Actually, I'd like to thank all of the people who provide a helping hand on this forum.

One thing I've learned is to always stay teachable, and as we learn new things along the way, it's equally great to pass on a bit of knowledge we've learned from experience to a fellow comrade in this hobby/forum who may be experiencing a situation for the 1st time... To do so with the amount of courtesy displayed towards others on this forum shows 1 thing without a doubt, class.

to StangCrazy, Murr1525, TheGuz, Detailing by M, imz4n aka Bob, Mr. Stoops, and the rest of you OCD suffering passionate people who've had a hand in keeping this forum thriving for the past few years!

Summertime's just around the corner. It's time to shine!

[Eldorado2k]

Can't forget about Davey g-force !

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Well, took the forum's collective advice and bought the DA polisher from Harbor Freight (6", variable speed [2000-4200 opm], 5.7 amp.

Hid it from my girlfriend since I was supposedly 'done' with buying machines.

Now that I have a real DA, I have many questions about types of bonnets to use, amount of pressure to apply for correction, chemicals to use, whether the SwirlX I have now is sufficient for removing the swirl marks or if I need to go more aggressive (I'm leaning toward not), etc etc etc

Still messing around with posting photos--one of these days I'll figure it out.

And oh by the way, a big winter storm has engulfed the area, and snow is predicted for the next 3 days.

Also by the way, crossed 8000 miles Friday.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

A follow up:

I joined the Hyundai Forum, and while I don't like to bash others, this forum seems much more useful, friendlier, and more accessible than that one.

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Well, took the forum's collective advice and bought the DA polisher from Harbor Freight (6", variable speed [2000-4200 opm], 5.7 amp.

Hid it from my girlfriend since I was supposedly 'done' with buying machines.

Now that I have a real DA, I have many questions about types of bonnets to use, amount of pressure to apply for correction, chemicals to use, whether the SwirlX I have now is sufficient for removing the swirl marks or if I need to go more aggressive (I'm leaning toward not), etc etc etc

Still messing around with posting photos--one of these days I'll figure it out.

And oh by the way, a big winter storm has engulfed the area, and snow is predicted for the next 3 days.

Also by the way, crossed 8000 miles Friday.

For pads, I'm a fan of 5.5" pads on a DA such as the porter cable or the harbor freight DA. With that said, I use lake country flat pads. I use orange (compound), white (polish) and black (wax). Most of the time I use white with M205 as my goto combo. If I need to get more aggressive I will move to the orange pad and either ultimate compound or M105.

I have not used swirlx with a DA. I am a fan of either M105/M205 or over the counter ultimate compound/ultimate polish as they are derived from M105/M205. Give swirlx a try. If you need to get more aggressive you can always pick up UC and UP locally.

These are some good articles to read up on.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?2965-How-to-use-the-G-100-to-remove-swirls

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?42806-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Using-the-G110v2-Dual-Action-Polisher

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?36523-Meguiar-s-Video-Training-Series-Surface-Prep

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?41373-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-The-5-Step-Paint-Care-Cycle

[Eldorado2k]

Right on Bill! It's great to hear you went and picked up that DA polisher while the price is right Now we're both legit !

Now I'm thinking you already know about needing to buy a different backing plate for it, along with pads of course. BTW unless you already have at least a 14 gauge extention cord, you might wanna pick 1 up like I just did.. Those 3 things, along with whatever product you decide to go with are a bit of an inconvinient truth.. But when it's all said & done, it's money going towards a good investment and good results.

Here's what I've needed to buy to go along with my DA[same 1 you just bought]
6pk. of 5.5" Lake Country Flat Pads($34.99)
5" Lake Country Backing Plate($17.99)
I also bought an extra foam pad($6.99)

[my reason for buying a 7th foam pad was because I chose to get 3 White pads. I figure that's where I'll test an area with UC on both a White and an Orange pad. And if the Orange is the clear choice for the job, I'll still have 2 New White pads on deck for UP. Instead of just 1 new, and 1 mucked up with having tested UC with.]

-- I bought that stuff^ online from the Geek in 1 order.-- Btw they're gonna stick you with a shipping & handling charge of ($15)
I was able to use an online 20% off coupon which knocked off $12.
So total price for my order was ($63)

I also needed to buy a new extention cord as all I currently had was 16AWG cord.. So back to Harbor Freight I went.. Luckily the junk mail arrived just b4 I headed out, and there was the HF add with the 20% off coupon for me to use + the cord I bought was also on sale price.

HF 50ft. 14AWG extention cord($17 including sale&coupon discount)
I still need to purchase my product. I can pick that up down the street the day I start for about $21 for both UC/UP.
I think that covers any required extra charges 1 should expect to have to deal with. I've had 1 thing after another sucking up my budget the last 3 weeks, so having to buy these extra accessories has been a PITA for me, personaly. Hopefully you don't have to wait as long as I did.

Good Luck! I hope that covered a bit of info to help your preperation be as legit as can be. Feel free to ask more questions, you know what's up.. You took care of the main thing by purchasing yourself a DA. Now that we're armed with the proper tool, we can play with the big boys ;p

[Eldorado2k]

@Billddrummer. I forgot to mention: You can follow the links TheGuz provided on the 1st page of this thread. They'll send you directly to the pads & backing plate I ordered. The other link is helpfull as well. Good deal on M205, if you decide on that product.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Right on Bill! It's great to hear you went and picked up that DA polisher while the price is right Now we're both legit !

Now I'm thinking you already know about needing to buy a different backing plate for it, along with pads of course. BTW unless you already have at least a 14 gauge extention cord, you might wanna pick 1 up like I just did.. Those 3 things, along with whatever product you decide to go with are a bit of an inconvinient truth.. But when it's all said & done, it's money going towards a good investment and good results.

Here's what I've needed to buy to go along with my DA[same 1 you just bought]
6pk. of 5.5" Lake Country Flat Pads($34.99)
5" Lake Country Backing Plate($17.99)
I also bought an extra foam pad($6.99)

[my reason for buying a 7th foam pad was because I chose to get 3 White pads. I figure that's where I'll test an area with UC on both a White and an Orange pad. And if the Orange is the clear choice for the job, I'll still have 2 New White pads on deck for UP. Instead of just 1 new, and 1 mucked up with having tested UC with.]

-- I bought that stuff^ online from the Geek in 1 order.-- Btw they're gonna stick you with a shipping & handling charge of ($15)
I was able to use an online 20% off coupon which knocked off $12.
So total price for my order was ($63)

I also needed to buy a new extention cord as all I currently had was 16AWG cord.. So back to Harbor Freight I went.. Luckily the junk mail arrived just b4 I headed out, and there was the HF add with the 20% off coupon for me to use + the cord I bought was also on sale price.

HF 50ft. 14AWG extention cord($17 including sale&coupon discount)
I still need to purchase my product. I can pick that up down the street the day I start for about $21 for both UC/UP.
I think that covers any required extra charges 1 should expect to have to deal with. I've had 1 thing after another sucking up my budget the last 3 weeks, so having to buy these extra accessories has been a PITA for me, personaly. Hopefully you don't have to wait as long as I did.

Good Luck! I hope that covered a bit of info to help your preperation be as legit as can be. Feel free to ask more questions, you know what's up.. You took care of the main thing by purchasing yourself a DA. Now that we're armed with the proper tool, we can play with the big boys ;p

Thanks for the kind words! By the way, already took care of the extension cord--found it at Walmart for $17.

Appreciate all the support, and I'm looking forward to using the real deal.

When I pull it out I believe I'll tell my girlfriend it was 50% off (which it was), and I got another 20% off by signing up for the mailing list (which I did).

I'll catch some flak for buying it, but I only paid $10 for the AutoZone polisher, so no harm no foul.

Will study your suggestions for pads/backing plates/technique before I take it out.

But it won't be soon--weather is predicted to stay rainy/snowy for the next 10 days, so it may be two more weeks before I get a chance to see how it works.

[Eldorado2k]

The UPS man made my day My online order delivered just in time for the weekend.. I just washed the car [yes, at 10pm lol] and it's gonna get the full treatment 1st thing in the morning. The learning process has been great so far, thx to the friendly people here on MOL! And now it's time to put all the preparation to use and get hands on for the 1st time.

This is what my checklist looks like/recent purchases for this detail.
UC, UP, new btl of Quik Detailer & unopened claybar, new microfiber polishing cloths, carpet cleaner, DA polisher, new backing plate, 7 foam pads, new extension cord, masking tape, new GC leather cleaner/conditioner & ice cold beer in the fridge.
Wish me luck

[KBzPTGT]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

do yourself a favor and do the grease mod to that HF da

[Eldorado2k]

I havn't clicked on that link to the grease mod yet, but I do know where it's at. My friend sprayed a bit of metal lubricant on the spindle b4 I put my backing plate on. I'll look into the grease mod though.

[Eldorado2k]

Quik update, along with a few things I've noticed: 1. This is going to take awhile. It's fine, It's Saturday.
2. Losing your DA virginity is kinda tense, and seems like big mistakes are being made.. But once you relax, it's fun.
3. Music helps with the relaxing part. For some reason, I wanted to listen to the music from the MeguiarsAsia youtube video. [the Ultimate Compound "how to vid"]
4. That music either makes you feel like a polishing badass or just cracks you up. Or both. Lol.
5. The Meguiars Asia dudes must be real funny guys in real life.. Correcting out of this world swirls a half hood at a time, in direct sunlight, speed 4, with great theme music in the background, just to show how a Real badass does it! Haha. Those dudes are great
6. Smoothest clay session I've ever had. It had been 5 months and bearly any contaminents on the paint. This is what half the hood looked like, and most of it was light dust from being parked overnight.

[Eldorado2k]

I meant to post a claybar pic.^
But as far as things I've noticed so far, that's the best yet! That's what a section of my hood looks like now.

This is what it used to look like b4. 1 sec...

[Eldorado2k]

UC w/orange foam pad is doing the job. So far so good

This is a "before" pic.

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Looks like it's coming along nicely. Just take your time. Have you tried going to speed 5 on the DA to move things a little quicker?