What kind of buffer &compounds?

[justinw]

I've been thinking for a while about getting a buffer, and I was thinking the 7424 kit w/optimum pads: here (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-porter-cable-kit.html)
A lot of people seem to like the optimum stuff, so...

Then there's the new "ultimate detailing machine", which is supposed to be a vast improvement over the PC...

Any thoughts?

[coupe]

Thats a great kit, cant go wrong on it.

As far as waiting for the UDM thats up to you. Being so close to release i would waite for it and buy it. Im gonna buy it as soon as it comes out, well i hope to anyways.

Since your in k-zoo and if you want some hands on learning i would be more than happy for you to come over and show you how everything works, techniques, polishes, compounds, rotary work, wetsanding ect.

[GrandAmGT1996]

I wish I had the money to invest in that kit :(

[justinw]

Since your in k-zoo and if you want some hands on learning i would be more than happy for you to come over and show you how everything works, techniques, polishes, compounds, rotary work, wetsanding ect.

I may have to take advantage of that offer sometime this summer... ;)

I guess the most sensible thing to do is wait the little while longer and see how everyone likes the UDM when it comes out.

[coupe]

While your waiting lets set something up, It will be a good learning experiance for the both of us. Bring freinds and family if ya want.

[justinw]

Well the problem is that the alero is going to be down a couple of weeks for repair and the grand am hasn't been fixed yet. I'm hoping within 2-3 weeks the GA will be ready & inspected.
(It's a 02' SE coupe stick)

[coupe]

You dont have to bring your rides, i have scrap panels.

[justinw]

Shoot, I was hoping for a free premium buffing! :)

Ok, that might work sometime. Things are a little busy right now. How much time would you expect to use?

I have some fenders I might be able to bring if need be...

Bear in mind that I don't drink at all lol...

[justinw]

Now I'm thinking... If all the pros use rotarys, why start w/ an orbital when you could begin learning on a rotary?

Speaking of which, the makita seems to be the most rotary for the money, doesn't it?

Or maybe the UDM will be somewhere in between???

[Elderas]

because you need to develop a technique. you cant just jump in using a rotary. Once you have a good technique and motion down, you will be able to learn the rotary much more easily.

plus its alot bigger and heavier than the 7424

(This is all guessing btw)

[coupe]

because you need to develop a technique. you cant just jump in using a rotary. Once you have a good technique and motion down, you will be able to learn the rotary much more easily.

plus its alot bigger and heavier than the 7424

(This is all guessing btw)


This is exactly why, its a whole different beast compared to a PC. It dont take much to burn paint if you have no prior understanding of how polishes/compounds work and how pads work. The PC will give you a basic understanding with no worries of damaging paint, think of it as a stepping stone.

[justinw]

And the UDM: is it in-between, or just a good replacement for the 7424?

[coupe]

Here is *some* info on it:
http://autopia.org/forum/ultimate-detailing-machine/87400-david-b-i-am-calling-you-out.html

Search autopia for it and you will find a ton more info on it.

[ryanbgb22]

While your waiting lets set something up, It will be a good learning experiance for the both of us. Bring freinds and family if ya want.

damn, i wish i was within reasonable driving distance...i would love to learn how to use a rotary properly now.

[coupe]

damn, i wish i was within reasonable driving distance...i would love to learn how to use a rotary properly now.


You would love it!
I have a black 98 Audi A4 coming up this saturday. Its possibly the worste paint ive ever seen. Driver side fender was repainted but never wetsanded and buffed out, there are about 12 small areas that look like someone used clear coat in a bottle and just globed it on and the scratches/marring/swirls/etches are stupid deep all over the car and the bonded contaminants make the paint feel like 600 grit sandpaper. My rotary is going to get a work out....so am i lol. I am still probably gonna have to use my PC for the finishing polish step on this one. Im hoping to get some killer shots (bah i will, this ones way worth the extra camera time it), this will be my most difficult vehicle yet, im planing on 15 hours even with the rotary.


BTW, even with a rotary the PC will still save your butt from time to time, its saved mine a few, i woulda cried if i didnt have it.

[Ajaxus]

damn, i wish i was within reasonable driving distance...i would love to learn how to use a rotary properly now.

i'll take notes :)

[justinw]

Have any demo time available this Saturday, coupe?

[coupe]

Sorry i cant this saturday, i got the audi a4 to do. Im gonna be working on it all friday night and most the day saturday.

[2003SCT]

Even though the Ultimate Detailing Machine is probably a nice upgrade, the 7424 has been a tool that has turned out amazing results time and time again. That combo pack seems to be a decent package. I have Optimum Compound and Optimum Polish that I have been using on the Lake County pads with the flexible backing plates and I have had great results. BTW....Lake Country pads are actually the "Wolfgang pads" or actually the opposite of that....Lake Country builds them and Wolfgang markets them.

If you want to jump right in, that package seems to be a decent deal..alot of the stuff I have aquired I have gotten from Autogeek and they have always been great...

As an fyi, since I dont have a rotary, to get a bit more oomph behind your buffing, the 4 inch pads with the 3 1/2 inch backing plate help the 7424's torque translate to polishing power.



CHRIS

[coupe]

As an fyi, since I dont have a rotary, to get a bit more oomph behind your buffing, the 4 inch pads with the 3 1/2 inch backing plate help the 7424's torque translate to polishing power.

CHRIS


Exactly why i only use pads that are 5.5" or smaller on the PC. Even though its a smaller pad i can work a much larger area than a pad that is 6.5" or bigger.

[alerored04]

sorry to thread jesus this one but my girlfriend just got me a craftsman 1400/1650 rpm buffer for my birthday and i am looking to find a walkthrough on using it and what products to use with it since i am new to all of this stuff. I have looked at autopia a little bit but not much so links and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[coupe]

What kind of buffer exactly?
There isnt a rotary that is made with only those 2 speeds.
Which leads me to believe its a cheapy orbital that wont do anything at all other than apply and remove wax.
Do you have a model number?

[alerored04]

It is a Craftsman 11506 6 in sander/polisher.

[Metallman56]

heres the link

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Portable+Power+Tools&pid=00911506000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Sanders&BV_SessionID=@@@@0855083269.1187641309@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgjaddlkfehkihcefecemldffidfko.0

[coupe]

Holy crap, they stopped making that years ago, they must have brought it back from the dead.

Honnestly i wouldnt use it at all. 1650 is to high an rpm to use on paint and 1400 wont finish properly. Your gonna end up with burned paint or rotary holograms/buffer trails.

[alerored04]

how tough would it be to wreck paint with it? Since she bought it for me and i dont want to return it. She says that i can, would i be better off returning it and buying something else. Should i just pony up the rest of the cash and buy a PC? Who has the best prices on them and what polish do you suggest with the pc? I just bought some megs step 2 polish to try but want to verify that it is the correct stuff. Thanks for the help.

[coupe]

how tough would it be to wreck paint with it? Since she bought it for me and i dont want to return it. She says that i can, would i be better off returning it and buying something else. Should i just pony up the rest of the cash and buy a PC? Who has the best prices on them and what polish do you suggest with the pc? I just bought some megs step 2 polish to try but want to verify that it is the correct stuff. Thanks for the help.

That buffer is a rotary not a dual action like a PC, 2 totaly different machines.

IMO and looking out for your paints safety i highly recomend buying a PC and learning on that. You wont hurt anything with a PC that you cant fix easily.

Megs deep crystal step 2? If thats what you mean then that wont do squat, its a chemical cleaner only and is meant to be used by hand.

I recomend this kit and polishes to get you started:
http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-pad-kit.html


http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-polishing-compound.html

http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-intermediate-swirl.html

http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-fine-swirl.html

Read through this site a few hundred times and watch the videos too:
http://www.paintcare-n-detailing.com/

[alerored04]

yes that is the stuff. I will return it tomorrow. Is there a specific wax to use with the pc as well? Im sure these questions have been asked, but i searched and didnt find them. Please let me know. Thanks for all your help.

[coupe]

Honestly i do all my waxing and sealing by hand still. You can use any wax or sealant with a PC/DA though, personal prefferance if you wanna do it by hand or machine.

It will be a whole new world for you, your gonna love it.