Polisher for beginner

[anonymouse]

Hi guys,

I'm a beginner in car detailing and I'm quite amazed by those detailed car pictures that you guys posted here.

I would like to try out detailing myself as well and for starter I would like to invest in a polisher. What type of polisher would the veterans here suggest? A dual action polisher or rotary buffers?

Thanks.

 

[KrisMas]

Budget? Limitations? Intentions?

 

[anonymouse]

Budget? Limitations? Intentions?

I googled around and found that either polisher will come close to rm800 to rm900. I'm quite okay with that.

I just want to learn detailing for now. Been using elbow grease all these while and the result isn't that consistent.

 

[junbecks]

both has its ups and downs.

what would you like to achieve?

 

[DarkAccoon]

From my experience as I own both a DA and a RB,

Dual action - less cutting power, good for finishing. Not too kind to the hands. Prolong use per day causes pain in my wrist.

RB - I only use this when I need to do extreme compounding or when dealing with headlamp restoration. Seldom do I use this to do finishing. Smooth operation and more silent compare to my DA. Controlling it takes practice.

Dual Action used - Ultramate
RB used - Makita.

I think you would want to know what you want to achieve and also have a test on both to get a feel which one you are more comfortable with.

 

[KrisMas]

I googled around and found that either polisher will come close to rm800 to rm900. I'm quite okay with that.

Well....a good polisher (both rotary and DA) would come to around that price. But you'd also need to consider the complimentary accessories that are required...buffing pads, backing plates, compounds & polishes, etc. A good ballpark figure should be around RM1,200...more or less....

Which machine? This is where your expectations (what you want to achieve) and intentions (commercial or 'recreational') would come to play.

Or, if you don't want any headache......RUPES BIGFOOT & PADS FTW....!!! Muahahaha.......

 

[DarkAccoon]

Well....a good polisher (both rotary and DA) would come to around that price. But you'd also need to consider the complimentary accessories that are required...buffing pads, backing plates, compounds & polishes, etc. A good ballpark figure should be around RM1,200...more or less....

Which machine? This is where your expectations (what you want to achieve) and intentions (commercial or 'recreational') would come to play.

Or, if you don't want any headache......RUPES BIGFOOT & PADS FTW....!!! Muahahaha.......

HAHAHA, rupes bigfoot..... that one no headache, just walletache only. I sell both my makita and ultramate also cannot afford a Rupes. Just like the elusive bigfoot.

 

[KrisMas]

HAHAHA, rupes bigfoot..... that one no headache, just walletache only. I sell both my makita and ultramate also cannot afford a Rupes. Just like the elusive bigfoot.

errr....sorry but what's a "walletache"....

edit: oh...i see...i see....wallet ache...I AM DEFINITELY getting old.....

 

[jonlsl]

If you only want 1 machine Rupees Bigfoot which will give you the best of both worlds. If you are budget conscience and still want best bang for the buck, get a rotary buffer (rb)and start of polishing from 500-900rpm and becareful as you can easily punch a hole in the paint. Even cheaper option DA polisher which is the safest option. Aliexpress is your friend, many there.

As for RB, Either Dewalt Makita or china is ok (especially if you are a noobie) and a china one only cost rm200-300. But You MUST MAKE SURE it starts from 500 or 600 rpm. Skil has a RB for about RM300 but I personally think starting speed if way to fast at 900rpm, very difficult to finish the paint perfectly and you need the slow speed as well.

Since you are a noobie, Bosch has a small and light RB but its quite noisy. Cost RM500+

But I think you should just spend money once and get

1. Dewalt 849X (best bang for the buck RB, and quiet at low speed and looks damn cool I call it Bumble Bee)
2. Makita 9227C (well proven machine, cannot go wrong)
3. Rupees Bigfoot (RB + DA all rolled into one, but expensive, but same price if you compare to buying 1 RB+1 DA)

 

[cvkit17]

Rupes Bigfoot can do paint correction like RB ?

 

[KrisMas]

Rupes Bigfoot can do paint correction like RB ?

Almost....though not as quick. But definitely finishes better and lesser follow-ups required....

 

[cvkit17]

Almost....though not as quick. But definitely finishes better and lesser follow-ups required....

So it's more like 2 in 1... But pricey at once! I believe it's is worth it if one could afford.

 

[KrisMas]

VERY pricey....but worth it? I'm forced to think that it is since money already spent....hahaha....

But honestly, the best thing about the Bigfoot is how much it was able to take most of the strain off. The strained back, aching joints, tired muscles, etc. are very much reduced....and all this without compromising (much) on the results.

 

[cvkit17]

VERY pricey....but worth it? I'm forced to think that it is since money already spent....hahaha....

But honestly, the best thing about the Bigfoot is how much it was able to take most of the strain off. The strained back, aching joints, tired muscles, etc. are very much reduced....and all this without compromising (much) on the results.

If it makes the tasks easier, then it's worth it. If not, you probably gonna spend on supplements and medicals when worse haha.

 

[anonymouse]

Thanks for the input guys. If I want to reduce light swirls and don't do any further damage to the paint, would DA be sufficient? From what I read RB packs more power and may screw up the paint job if handled wrongly.

 

[arch5069]

IMHO rb wont easily screw up your paint unless you stay put on one part and dont move it. It is safe when its always in motion and at low rpm. Sifus kindly correct me if I am wrong.

 

[KrisMas]

DA would be a good choice (that is if you can stand it's vibration) if you don't plan to do much of heavy corrections. Even if you do want to, modern compounds/polishes and pads are now available that can make heavy corrections on a DA possible....though it'll take longer time than a rotary....

Tell you what, a machine 'feeling' gathering is in the pipeline. A few guys wanted to get the feel of the few available machines so that they could choose which one would be more suitable for them. Maybe you want to join the 'fun'.....hehehe...

---------- Post added at 10:06 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------

IMHO rb wont easily screw up your paint unless you stay put on one part and dont move it. It is safe when its always in motion and at low rpm. Sifus kindly correct me if I am wrong.

Getting a swirl free or hologram free finish with a rotary is far more difficult than burning through the clear coat....

 

[s1tl]

Well....a good polisher (both rotary and DA) would come to around that price. But you'd also need to consider the complimentary accessories that are required...buffing pads, backing plates, compounds & polishes, etc. A good ballpark figure should be around RM1,200...more or less....

Which machine? This is where your expectations (what you want to achieve) and intentions (commercial or 'recreational') would come to play.

Or, if you don't want any headache......RUPES BIGFOOT & PADS FTW....!!! Muahahaha.......

true that, a true professional should have it instead of the old skol flex =D getting one next month! oh yeahhh!

 

[KrisMas]

true that, a true professional should have it instead of the old skol flex =D getting one next month! oh yeahhh!

Bro...don't mean to be rude....but you are now officially in deep shit. I hope you're making more money than your spending...muahahahaha.....

 

[s1tl]

Bro...don't mean to be rude....but you are now officially in deep shit. I hope you're making more money than your spending...muahahahaha.....

deep, real deep, because rupes really too much pads! giler! im spending more than im making because i gila detailing