Machine polisher - waddya think?

Gman2 · 5th September 2013, 20:01

The garage down the road charges £130 for a machine polish which I thought was fair enough but I've got three motors to consider so then it starts looking expensive. I'm not into valeting, detailing etc but I've had a mooch around to see what's on the market and have found this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Prof...lisher+machine

Anyone know if this would do a half decent job and how long does it take to do a ZT? If this looks a runner then I'd probably get it along with the compounds as it would be much cheaper.

Moodster020 · 5th September 2013, 20:19

Looks a good kit (been thinking about it myself, the zed is becoming to look like a rat car along with its dints!)

Linky here that shows how its done

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj6Rcd5VpE4

SapperGB · 5th September 2013, 23:31

It really is a case of you get what you pay for. On paper it looks fairly good but I would recommend you get a dual action (DA) model rather than a rotary polisher as they are far more forgiving.

The company do sell a DA polisher too but a little more expensive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Poli...dp/B004YJ1D0O/

I still cant comment on the above, again it 'looks' ok but if I were in the market then it would have to be the tried and tested kestrel range

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polish...er/cat_81.html

Les4048 · 6th September 2013, 05:16

I have a Maguire polisher still in its case unused. I've seen the results of people trying to polish cars with these things and burning through the paint on the edge of panels. I did ask my friend who owns a body shop if i should try it and his reply "I'll book you in for a respray now because you'll f****k it up"

valleygixer · 6th September 2013, 05:44

Porter Cable is another good make. It's a random orbital polisher so pretty much impossible to screw your paintwork up.

Some of the polishers act like an angle grinder and just rotate at high speed. This can lead to swirl marks, scorching of the paint and worse. The random orbital polisher types are the ones to go for, especially for a novice.

Do some good research prior to buying. Spend a little extra on quality tried and tested equipment. It will last ages and the results will be awesome.

rovexCDTi · 6th September 2013, 06:09

Id be cautious about that. Its way way too cheap. I suspect the motor is poor quality, the housing fragile and the pads it comes with just simple foam, rather than closed cell dense foam.

Rotary polishers can be very harsh and it is very easy to mess up your paint. Dual Action (random orbital) units are much easier to use and you really would have to be hamfisted to burn through.

Gman2 · 6th September 2013, 13:45

Thanks guys - you're input is greatly appreciated

So what you're basically saying is it is DIYable and safe with the right kit that doesn't include a rotary polisher?

rovexCDTi · 6th September 2013, 14:09

Use a DA machine, but i still wouldnt use the Amazon DA Kit. The pads are of 'unknown' quality and at that price I doubt they are proper polishing foam. The pads are usually about 8 to 10 pounds each and you only really need 2 or 3 max.

I use a firm one for compounding, a medium one for polishing and dont apply top coats with a machine, so dont need a soft pad.

AURORA MG · 6th September 2013, 14:17

I've just got a Rupes Bigfoot DA large kit but at over £400 is quite expensive.

FredSpencer · 6th September 2013, 16:03

This offer at Clean Your Car is still running if it's any use to you.

5th September 2013, 20:01	#1
Gman2 Posted a thing or two ZTT+ 1.8T, mgf 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 28 Thanked 65 Times in 42 Posts	Machine polisher - waddya think? The garage down the road charges £130 for a machine polish which I thought was fair enough but I've got three motors to consider so then it starts looking expensive. I'm not into valeting, detailing etc but I've had a mooch around to see what's on the market and have found this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Prof...lisher+machine Anyone know if this would do a half decent job and how long does it take to do a ZT? If this looks a runner then I'd probably get it along with the compounds as it would be much cheaper.

5th September 2013, 23:31	#3
SapperGB Posted a thing or two 2005 190 ZT-T SE Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dagenham Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	It really is a case of you get what you pay for. On paper it looks fairly good but I would recommend you get a dual action (DA) model rather than a rotary polisher as they are far more forgiving. The company do sell a DA polisher too but a little more expensive http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Poli...dp/B004YJ1D0O/ I still cant comment on the above, again it 'looks' ok but if I were in the market then it would have to be the tried and tested kestrel range http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polish...er/cat_81.html __________________ http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...GB/t4light.jpg

6th September 2013, 06:09	#6
rovexCDTi This is my second home MG ZT+ 135 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Exeter Posts: 3,626 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 26 Posts	Id be cautious about that. Its way way too cheap. I suspect the motor is poor quality, the housing fragile and the pads it comes with just simple foam, rather than closed cell dense foam. Rotary polishers can be very harsh and it is very easy to mess up your paint. Dual Action (random orbital) units are much easier to use and you really would have to be hamfisted to burn through. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

6th September 2013, 14:09	#8
rovexCDTi This is my second home MG ZT+ 135 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Exeter Posts: 3,626 Thanks: 9 Thanked 42 Times in 26 Posts	Use a DA machine, but i still wouldnt use the Amazon DA Kit. The pads are of 'unknown' quality and at that price I doubt they are proper polishing foam. The pads are usually about 8 to 10 pounds each and you only really need 2 or 3 max. I use a firm one for compounding, a medium one for polishing and dont apply top coats with a machine, so dont need a soft pad. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

5th September 2013, 20:19	#2
Moodster020 Loves to post MGZT CDT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Doncaster Posts: 272 Thanks: 11 Thanked 48 Times in 32 Posts	Looks a good kit (been thinking about it myself, the zed is becoming to look like a rat car along with its dints!) Linky here that shows how its done http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj6Rcd5VpE4

6th September 2013, 05:16	#4
Les4048 This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer/ MG ZT-T 400 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lhanbryde Posts: 3,277 Thanks: 2,627 Thanked 1,523 Times in 869 Posts	I have a Maguire polisher still in its case unused. I've seen the results of people trying to polish cars with these things and burning through the paint on the edge of panels. I did ask my friend who owns a body shop if i should try it and his reply "I'll book you in for a respray now because you'll f****k it up"

6th September 2013, 05:44	#5
valleygixer Gets stuck in MG ZT 1.8 t Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Torfaen Posts: 656 Thanks: 97 Thanked 44 Times in 43 Posts	Porter Cable is another good make. It's a random orbital polisher so pretty much impossible to screw your paintwork up. Some of the polishers act like an angle grinder and just rotate at high speed. This can lead to swirl marks, scorching of the paint and worse. The random orbital polisher types are the ones to go for, especially for a novice. Do some good research prior to buying. Spend a little extra on quality tried and tested equipment. It will last ages and the results will be awesome.

6th September 2013, 13:45	#7
Gman2 Posted a thing or two ZTT+ 1.8T, mgf 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 28 Thanked 65 Times in 42 Posts	Thanks guys - you're input is greatly appreciated So what you're basically saying is it is DIYable and safe with the right kit that doesn't include a rotary polisher?

6th September 2013, 14:17	#9
AURORA MG Banned (EX)-ZT-T190SE in Aurora. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Medway Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 42 Thanked 53 Times in 46 Posts	I've just got a Rupes Bigfoot DA large kit but at over £400 is quite expensive.

6th September 2013, 16:03	#10
FredSpencer Passed Away Typhoon ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 6,833 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	This offer at Clean Your Car is still running if it's any use to you.