Applying polishes, waxes and sealants - by hand or by buffer/machine/something else??

C

ChicagoRay

New member
What is the best way to apply and buff things like polish, wax, sealant et cetera - both in terms of speed, quality and safeness to car? What do you guys all do?
 
You'll find a mix of techniques depending on the person and the results they want vs. the time they spend. Most serious detailers have a buffer-polisher of some kind, like a Porter Cable 7424. Some guys have a rotary buffer which may be overkill for the enthusiast but a required tool for a pro detailer.



From there its all hand work. You can use a vareity of applicators to do a certain job.



So the tools used are dependent on the paint condition and results needed. For serious polishing, scratch removal, swirl mark removal, only a machine of some sort will do. What can take you hours to do by hand can be done in seconds with a polisher, and done better to boot. Some scratches and swirls simply will not come out by hand.



Most everyone applies the final coat by hand, whatever the product may be. By then the paint has been polished so well that the wax or sealant goes on easily.
 
Abrasives/Polishes/Glazes/Klasse AIO - Porter Cable



Wax/true sealant - Hand



Meguiars #26 liquid wax - PC with finishing pad for speed.
 
With a rotary buffer and improper technique/pads/abrasives, YES the paint can be damged quickly.



With the PC, hit the paint with it or use a sanding pad.
 
Abrasives anything for removing or minimizing imperfections (micro-scratches, medium scratches, hard water spots, swirls) I use a rotary buffer, my personal choice is a Makita. I tend to work with Meguiars pads mostly foam. Part number W-7006



My compound of choice at this time is 3M Perfect-IT III, either light cut or heavy cut depending on the issues presented.



Polish/Glazes, I choose to use a orbital like the Porter Cable 7424 with a polishing pad from Meguiars. Part number W-8006. The polish I always go back to use is Meguiars Showcar Glaze part number M-0716 which is the 64oz. size. This lasts me about a month if I get three full details a week. It also comes in a 16oz. bottle as well. Before using a glaze I always follow up my cutting with 3M SMR dark/light depending on the color paint I'm working with. This stuff really does a nice job, and does it fairly quick.



Wax products or Klasse Acrylic I use the Porter Cable 7424 with the finishing pad from Meguiars. Part number W-9006. The only wax I use a machine to apply is Meguiars #26 HI-TECH Yellow. For Blitz wax I use a foam applicator and nothing else.



For polish/glaze/some wax using an orbital just cuts down the time to get the main large areas. You can do as I do and follow up with a foam or terry cloth pad to finish off those hard to reach places.
 
What is the difference between a rotary buffer and a "porter cable"?



Is there less potential for damage with a PC then a buffer?
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by trkmedic69 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>What is the difference between a rotary buffer and a "porter cable"?

Is there less potential for damage with a PC then a buffer? [/b]</blockquote>
There is a huge difference between them
Using the pc you are really worry free and never heard of any one swirling the paint or buring it with a pc, unless they had a dirty pad, or droped the pc on the car.
The pc does not create enough heat to swirl up the car. It is like a really fast hand that moves arouned and up & down all in one motion.
The rotary is fast and real fast, using certain products and certain speeds can burn through the paint or clear and casue damage. You can take off radio antennas, old molding etc.. This machine can be very powerful but when used right it can be one of the best tools the detailer has.
I have both a PC & Mikita rotary. I use the rotary for some things and on certain cars and the PC for other cars that are newer and dont require such work.
Dont go out and try a rotary until you practice with one.
The PC just pick it up and go
 
use the one from the second link as i could not find the one from the fist link, they are all about the same.
I can tell you that meguiar's sell one, it is more money then others but you get a lifetime warranty from them. I have already needed two backing plates in which the sent them to me for free with no questions asked. you may pay more for it but it does save time when you have a problem. They are really good for customer service and can help you if you have a problem withit.
www.meguiars.com
hope this helps
NYD
 
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