Nubie need a DA for use 4 times a year

[gto_monster]

I have 2 vehicles that sit under a large oak tree. I noticed that both of them have this caked on black ugly growth (hard and not soft and squishy). I have been using M205 and M210 on the first car and took all day to finish just the hood. I need to buy a DA to make this job easier. I have some D300 coming in the mail from Meguiars in a few days.

I am a nubie and will only use this machine maybe 4 times a year so I do not need anything professional but not something that will fall apart tomorrow. I hear folks throw around brand names as Porter Cable and Meguiars MT300 and all of the cheapo's on Amazon. What would be a good solution for a safe machine for someone that has not used one yet?

2012 Mini Cooper - mung plus hair line scratched only
2011 Toyota Tacoma - real back black mung and dull paint but no scratches.

My previous young life: 68 GTO (bought new - my love), 78 Z-28, 68 Camaro rally Sport.

[Buddy]

I know Megs has their's like you mentioned. Maxshine also has decent ones for the price. Griot's Garage gets alot of love for their's as a well, it costs nice and has a great warranty.

[gto_monster]

Thanks Buddy. In searching for a good DA I have found some really nice ones on the internet like:
Adams 9mm for 160
Griots for 180
SPTA for 110
Maxshine for 155 or 240
Rupes for way crazy money for a beginner.

I was hoping for something less than $100 before I started looking, but it looks like to get something that will not fall apart in less than 6 months I might have to pay more than 100. In over 60 years of waxing my cars by hand I have come to a project that I can't tackle by just rubbing it off. This dirt and tree grim is so caked on and hard as a rock to get off. That is why I am leaning to a machine to help me out.

I may have to set my budget more towards the $150 mark even though my wife will kill me for a "fun toy" I have no idea have to use yet. My decisions are getting harder by the hour.

[Franco76]

Might I suggest Meguiars DA Power System. I was looking for a da polisher a few years ago and found it on meguiars YouTube channel. I only polish when needed. For a weekend warrior, it works just fine for me. You can buy it on Amazon for $45 dollars. Throw in a pack of Meguiars 4 inch compound pads and 4 inch polishing pads and you’ll be in business. Attach to your corded drill. Easy.

[Franco76]

I too am a “senior citizen “. I also had a 1967 GTO that my wife and I dated in back in the seventies….. listening to Boston and Bob Seger on the 8 track…..

[gto_monster]

Hi Franco76, long story on my first car. Went to the dealers in 68 and fell in love with this 1968 Camaro Rally Sport in yellow. My parents (co-signing) said it was too racy and I would get into trouble. What they did not know was the GTO (looked safe) they picked out was a beast. Got into so much trouble and speeding tickets.

Many years later I finally got my 68 Camaro (after Vietnam garbage). Then I purchased a 1978 Z-28 Camaro and immediately had my friends racing team dismantle the car and upgrade it to attain 500 hp. That was the best performance car I ever had and got better gas millage than when it was new.

Fast forward to today - I drive a Mini Cooper, with a 4 cylinder Tacoma. I am happy although miss the power of my Z-28 sometimes.