First use of the Porter Cable

[JimmyTheSaint]

Ok... after bad weather, good weather and sheer laziness interrupted play... I've finally got round to using this lot (after taking the day off work):

Fortunately the sun stayed behind the clouds for most of today and I managed to get the job done:

Here's a pic of how the paint looked before:

This was the bonnet. You can see the marks in the light where the mongo valeter ******** up the polishing. These were on the bonnet, both doors, rear quarters and the roof.

So after many MANY hours with the Porter Cable and various polishes and wax... here are the results (shame the sun didn't come back out for the photos ):

I'm absolutely knackered... chuffed with a job well done though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dickys3]

Looks really good mate. I was thinking of getting one of these polishers. Are they ok? How hard are they to use? Are they expensive?

As for the scatches, has it removed them or just covered them up for the time being? The reason I ask is I polished my car a couple of weeks back and thought it had removed the scratches, only for them to return after the polish had "worn off". I polished my car by hand though so perhaps these machines give better results? Do tell?

Cheers
RIch.

 

[madvw]

that is a truely amazing job nice one and well done.

That kit looks a bit on the expensive side tho..

 

[JimmyTheSaint]

The Polisher and the pads are from Autopia: (based in the US) http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpol-kit.html

If you join their forum you get given a discount code which gives you 10% off your first order, so that made things a bit easier. The lot with carriage came to about $190 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If you're a member of UKMKIV's... drop john_wintle a PM... he'll help you out /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Becuase it's from the States you'll need a 110v transformer, cabling and socket...

You need:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=73851&ts=85702

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro....ll%26homeRef%3D

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=52613&id=19947

Which comes to £46 ish

As for the polish and wax type stuff:

Meguiars #80 Speed Glaze - £14.04
Meguiars #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish - £15.40

from www.cleanandshiney.co.uk - this lot should get rid of the oxidisation, swirls and other imperfections.

P21s Paintwork Cleanser - £9.99
Klasse All-In-One Polish - £19.99
P21S Carnauba Paste Wax - £17.99

from www.seriousperformance.co.uk - and this should get it shiney and protected /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The Autopia website is a wealth of information - the How-to section has loads of useful stuff in it. Definately worth a look.

It's probably cost me about £200 in all... but machine polishing is much easier, faster, more efficient, and gives far better results than hand polishing (IMO)... I certainly won't go back to hand polishing.

My paint is 5 years old and has come up lovely... you'll never get your paint looking as new (if you can feel a scratch by running your thumb nail over it, it's there to stay)... but any minor imperfections will disappear... swirl marks, hazing, oxidations... I can't recommend this kit highly enough... and it's yours for life... to be used on every car you own /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dickys3]

Thanks for the info Jimmy. I'll look into it!

Cheers
Rich.