Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

[XgamerM]

Hello all...

I am the proud owner of an original equipment 1989 Porsche (Red) with only 40,000 miles on it. The only problem is some oxidation on the front hood and I am about to enter into my first polishing session with my new DeWALT DW 849.

I was planning to use the 8" foam pad and Ultimate Compound on it at a speed 1,000 - 1,200 RPMs, but could use a little guidance on that so I joined the forum.

Very nervous...but excited,

~ M.
Mike (aka XgamerM)

[aris]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

Welcome to MOL

IF you do a little search on here you will find all the info that your need. I know not to long ago i used the UC for the first time and with a little search and a few questions i manged realy well

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

The DeWalt DW849 is an advanced polishing machine with some caveats. The direct rotational drive of this circular polisher builds up heat at the point of contact, which makes it very possible to burn through the paint if you dwell over an area too long or apply too much pressure. In the hands of an inexperienced user, other paint defects such as swirling, or leaving holograms or buffer trails becomes increasingly likely.

If you have experience polishing with a rotary buffer, then please excuse my caution. Your thread title indicates that you may be entirely new to detailing, but maybe your self description of 'newbie' meant only that you are a newbie to this forum, and that you have polished with a rotary buffer before?

[XgamerM]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

I am new to both the forum and machine-based detailing...I am an expert at watching YouTube videos of the detailing/polishing process however! ;-)

Hence my nerves in taking the leap on my baby...

~ M.

[Mary S]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

Welcome to MOL. I don't think you would regret getting a test hood to practice with the rotary before doing a car that matters to you. I mean, this is a Porsche. I would get a little bit of practice. I have practiced and still don't think I would use a rotary on my car yet.

[guy]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

Welcome to MOL. There is some great information and people on this forum, as well as good advice. I don't think starting out with a rotary without experience is a good idea, something like a DA would give very good results wihout the risk involved. Best case is you would need one anyway to refine the finish, worst case you will need a new paint job with a mistake with the rotary. Just think about it.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

Welcome to mol.

For being you first go with a rotary. I would definitely follow Mary's advice. Get yourself a practice hood. You do not want to ruin the paint on your Porsche.

You will be glad you did.

[techjazz]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

+1 on the practice hood.

Probably also doesn't hurt to invest in a Dual-Action Polisher, such as the Meguiar's G110v2. The rotational and oscillating motion of the machine leaves no chance of generating heat and the potential to burn through the paint. While the added expense of about $200 might seem a little out-of-your-way now, it'll sure beat the pants off of having to get a replacement hood for your Porsche.

So yeah, practice hoods and Dual-Action Polishers. Shoot for those.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Newbie with DeWALT DW849 & 1989 Porsche

Very nervous...but excited,

You should be both of these things.

Excited because you're on the road to bringing out the best in your '89 Porsche.

Nervous because a rotary buffer in the hands of a newbie can be downright dangerous.


You've got 21 year old paint (original it sounds) that may very well be single stage. Meaning it's probably fairly soft, and maybe even fairly thin. Since the car only has 40,000 miles on it we're hoping it hasn't been buffed on too many times but rather has been pretty well pampered its whole life. We'd like to see you continue that tradition. A rotary buffer, as others have pointed out here, is a very powerful tool that is also quite unforgiving in the hands of a newbie. An 8" pad is also going to be pretty aggressive since the larger the pad the more cut you get when using a rotary (the opposite is true with a D/A). At least your plan to spin it at only 1,000 to 1,200 rpm is sound!

But in all honesty, you may be better served with a D/A instead. You are far less likely to run into trouble, it will remove the oxidation on single stage paint as easily as a rotary, and the Ultimate Compound was designed for use with this tool (it's technically not recommended for use with a rotary).

Don't get us wrong, a rotary is an incredible tool to have an use, when you know how to use it. The problem isn't so much when buffing in the center of a panel, but rather when approaching edges of panels, trim, etc. You can damage things very quickly, or burn through paint on a panel edge in the blink of an eye. Literally. If you're going to insist on using the rotary, do yourself a favor and pick up an old hood or fender and try to damage it. Try to burn the paint on an edge. Lean on it. Do stupid things so you get a feel for how things react. But then keep in mind that single stage paint is generally a good bit softer than a modern clear coat. Meaning it's more susceptible to easy damage.