Can a porter cable UDM do as well as my body shop?

S

sunsetstroker

New member
My 2005 Corvette is in the shop right now getting some minor work done. I have some paint flaws like swirls and holograms from the previous owner. It looks great but I can see the flaws in the sunlight at an angle.



I just bought a porter cable UDM and all the HD car care products but the guy at my bodyshop says it wont work to get out all the flaws. He said the UDM is better for applying waxes.



This guy is great and they work on high end cars so I assume he knows what hes talking about right? He said he would polish/buff the entire car for an extra $100. What do you guys think?
 
If you're having something painted, ask for 3 coats of clear.



Do not have the entire car polished there. Spend more time here and do it yourself.

Or, hire a real pro (many here) and have it done. Then, you can maintain it. And

learn by watching. If he's an enthusiast, he may explain the process and why

things need to be done a certain way. And the time it takes.
 
I agree that unless the guy does a great job, then you can achieve excellent results doing it yourself. You can remove swirls and holograms with the UDM.
 
Flashtime said:
If you're having something painted, ask for 3 coats of clear.



Do not have the entire car polished there. Spend more time here and do it yourself.

Or, hire a real pro (many here) and have it done. Then, you can maintain it. And

learn by watching.
Click to expand...



They are basically taking care of all the rock chips on the front of the car, repainting the whole hood, nose and blending the fenders to match.



After that paint work it should dry for a few weeks before polishing anyhow right?



So can I get pro results using all these products and polisher I just paid $400 for?



I assume 3 coats of clear will just protect the paint better right?



Thanks man - Ive been lurking for a few weeks and read some of your posts and seen some of your work. Good job.
 
sunsetstroker said:
My 2005 Corvette is in the shop right now getting some minor work done. I have some paint flaws like swirls and holograms from the previous owner. It looks great but I can see the flaws in the sunlight at an angle.



I just bought a porter cable UDM and all the HD car care products but the guy at my bodyshop says it wont work to get out all the flaws. He said the UDM is better for applying waxes.



This guy is great and they work on high end cars so I assume he knows what hes talking about right? He said he would polish/buff the entire car for an extra $100. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
If this guy does high end cars I would spend the 100 bucks and let him buff it out. You can maintain it from there with your udm and some 5.5" and 4" pads. Vette's have hard clear and you can get them out with a UDM, but it would be so much easier and faster with a rotary. Tell him you are going to inspect the car in the sun and don't want to see any swrils or marring. Ask him to do an IPA wipe down after polishing and you will take care of the waxing or sealing. The reason for this is so that he doesn't use a glaze to fill. I think it would be worth a 100 bucks to get a pro to buff it out.
 
sunsetstroker said:
Yes thats what he said, he uses a rotary and some product with the name scratch in it?
Click to expand...



Probably Scratch X...again tel him you want an alcohol wipe down afer polishing to inspect in full sun. Go home do a good wash and wax or seal away.
 
Legacy99 said:
Probably Scratch X...again tel him you want an alcohol wipe down afer polishing to inspect in full sun. Go home do a good wash and wax or seal away.
Click to expand...



Like the junk I can buy at a parts store? I tried it once and didnt like it much. I figured he would have proffesional products, not Meguires.
 
sunsetstroker said:
Like the junk I can buy at a parts store? I tried it once and didnt like it much. I figured he would have proffesional products, not Meguires.
Click to expand...



Nothing wrong with Meg's products. It's the end results that count.
 
Btw if he gets all the swrils and marring out.. you can always refine the finish with your UDM and some Menzerna 85rd or believe it or not Meg's 205.
 
If you just spent $400 on equipment and product, why dont you give it a shot at trying to do the correction yourself and if things dont work out the way you want, you can always take it back to you painter and have him finish it out.
 
duke727 said:
If you just spent $400 on equipment and product, why dont you give it a shot at trying to do the correction yourself and if things dont work out the way you want, you can always take it back to you painter and have him finish it out.
Click to expand...



Yeah thats a good idea. Im just not sure if he will do it for $100 after I take the car though.



I bought the HD products pads and the UNO, I hope it works.
 
Two coats of clear is the minimum/standard for most shops. Three coats, when

any sanding and polishing is involved. Also ask him to catalyze the base coat;

basically, he'll add a bit of the clear coat hardener in the base which helps (a lot)

to fuse both together (clear and basecoat). Better chip resistance. He'll know...



Curious, what are you paying for this job?



After that paint work it should dry for a few weeks before polishing anyhow right?
Click to expand...



It really depends on the clear itself. Generally, for "production" clears, which tend

to cure hard, is best polished within a few days. He should be familiar with his

materials and can give you more insight.
 
sunsetstroker said:
My 2005 Corvette is in the shop right now getting some minor work done. I have some paint flaws like swirls and holograms from the previous owner. It looks great but I can see the flaws in the sunlight at an angle.



I just bought a porter cable UDM and all the HD car care products but the guy at my bodyshop says it wont work to get out all the flaws. He said the UDM is better for applying waxes.



This guy is great and they work on high end cars so I assume he knows what hes talking about right? He said he would polish/buff the entire car for an extra $100. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...



I'd be willing to bet you could do a better job by hand than most body shops do with a machine. LOL
 
I thought everyone here was pretty much in agreement, that there are few paint/body shops that can finish out to an "Autopian" standard, regardless of what they think, say, or the level of cars they work on. Could easily be the usual $100 hack job, I would do it myself or bring it somewhere else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top