How did you guys master the PC

B

BMW335i

New member
Without any spare cars to practice on, I am left with no choice but to apply everything by hand. How did you guys start out? Or after one pass were you like, "Wow this is pretty easy!" I just can't risk practicing on one of our cars...too risky.
 
I don't see any reason why you should be hesitant to practice on one of your existing vehicles. You really can't do any damage with the PC unless you try to. The very design of them makes them ideal for the novice detailer. You just have to know what combinations of pads and products to use for your particular situation and what you are trying to accomplish. And, although the PC is very easy to use you still have to become proficient on pressure to apply when polishing, speed of the PC itself and also the speed at which you move the PC over the surface.



One thing to be careful of though is not to let the pad slip from under you otherwise the spinning backing plate may contact the finish most likely resulting in damage. Do a search here on PC usage and I'm sure you will find tons of info on proper operating techniques to achieve the perfect finish we all seek.
 
BMW335i said:
Or after one pass were you like, "Wow this is pretty easy!"
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Exactly! I tested it out on my old daily driver, and after using it for a half hour on the hood I realized it was a piece of cake. Really the PC to me is akin to using a butter knife to cut steak. You can do it, but it takes a lot more effort and time. Don't worry about messing up your car. Use caution by corners and such, but on fairly flat areas you should have no worry about messing up the paint.
 
You'd have to try very hard to cause any kind of paint damage with a PC. Some have said it's possible with a 4" pad, but with a 7, the machine doesn't generate nearly enough heat to hurt anything. It's very user-friendly - the only practice you really need is refining your technique (moving slowly and steadily, using the right pad/product combo, and knowing when polishes are properly broken down).
 
I see alot of your post about "nonabrasive polish"

and and this one one about nothing to practice on



don't take this the wrong way but "man-up" just do it!

I could see where you are comming from if this was a rotary you were starting with

but it's a different animal all together



but if you are still scared go to a body shop and they will give you a damaged panel

to start on. but all paint are different just remeber that



or you could polish up your washer & dryer!



but if you are really not ready tell us where you live and I am sure

you will find someone to let you watch /explain/help



good luck!
 
BigJimZ28 said:
don't take this the wrong way but "man-up" just do it!
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lol. My brother favorite frase is, "Just man-up about it!"







I wasn't scared at all. I opened it up on Chrismas and took it stright out to try it out on both my Jetta and my Audi with awesome results. They are my pride and joy also.



By the time I had gotten it, I had already watched the Autogeek videos millions of times and I had read hundreds of threads on here. Also, I had already been working with a rotary buffer and they call the Porter Cable idiot proof compared to a rotary. So, I was pretty confident. Plus, after the forst couple of minutes, it was like riding a bike.
 
You should just do it man. Its not "risky" AT ALL unless you throw the machine at the car...literally.
 
Thanks guys. I think I am going to man up and do it, but mainly because my brother is giving me the oppurtunity to do his first (which is much more swirled up than my car). Its black FX35. I would be real proud of myself if I can do it the first time around (which I think I can..).



Oh yeah, and the sale at Lowes (hopefully I can get it) is selling PC's for real cheap. If its under $100 I might do it.
 
BMW335i said:
Oh yeah, and the sale at Lowes (hopefully I can get it) is selling PC's for real cheap. If its under $100 I might do it.
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Are they also selling the rotary PC at a discount??? If they are, I might just have to stop by.



The PC is well worth $100.
 
BMW335i said:
.. I think I am going to man up and do it...
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That really is an OK thing to do. Whenever I show people how to use one they never *really* need any significant input from me, it's more a matter of my "guidance" (quotes are intentional ;) ) being a security blanket.



I've posted before about a friend of mine whose husband borrows one of my PCs. She got tired of waiting for him to do her Lexus (the PC was just sitting there...) so she got out the 1Z Metallic Polish and did it herself. She'd never used it before, never polished anything in her life...turned out fine, no problems at all. Followed the 1Z with a coat of #16 and was very happy with her results. And yeah, she was justifiably proud of herself.



On relatively new vehicles, using pads larger than 4", it's just not likely that you'll do any damage. On older vehicles which might have thin paint on high spots/crown lines/corners you need to be careful and 4" pads deserve a modicum of respect; but it doesn't sound like those concerns are relevant to what you're doing.



Heh heh, that "butter knife to cut steak" analogy is good :D In no time you'll be asking us how to be *more aggressive*, just wait and see ;)
 
When I first started detailing with a machine I used this huge 10" craftsman poilsher. I was frightened I'd go right thru the paint and ruin the car, which of course never happened. After getting my PC I was a bit hesitant, but after about 2 minutes all the worry went away. Being new I'd start with a less aggressive combo perfecting your technique. Then on to heavier polishes and even compounds. Goodluck and as was said earlier on this post, you have to try to do damage with a PC.
 
bigal3 said:
the more you use the pc, the better your technique gets...
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agreed. just keep on using it on your own car, and soon you'll be familiar with how to handle the weight of the machine, how big an area to cover and so on, step by step.
 
The only down side of a PC is the toll it takes on your hands and arms. Maybe you young guys don't notice it, but at 47 - I feel it the next day. I've givin up the PC for the rotary, most of the time, for that reason.
 
JuneBug said:
The only down side of a PC is the toll it takes on your hands and arms. Maybe you young guys don't notice it, but at 47 - I feel it the next day. I've givin up the PC for the rotary, most of the time, for that reason.
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No experience, but!



Accumulator, told me that the 5" backing plate with 6/6.5 inch pads, should have the #6 PC weight installed. The original PC concept was as a finisher of furniture with a sheet of sand paper on the backing plate, however the governing condition is weight!

Therefore the #6 weight works better on a backing plate/pad combination since the pad weighs more than a sheet of sandpaper.

Like I said, no practical experience but it's worth a try to see if it helps you.

Changeling



Give it a go and see.
 
I got the hang of the machine buy applying Meg. cleaner/wax to a few SUVs. My Optimum products hadn't arrived yet. The PC is easy to use & turns a chore into fun time. Now my only concern is useing the correct amount of polish.
 
Thanks guys. Anybody in the LI area know where I can get a PC for relatively cheap? I know Lowes has it but I went to the Westbury locations (new) and they didn't seem to have any.



Also - If someone can list some really great tutorials for a PC I would love that, thanks!
 
BMW335i said:
Also - If someone can list some really great tutorials for a PC I would love that, thanks!
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IIRC, Meguiar's has a video about using it. But seriously, it's almost like buying a video about how to breathe ;)
 
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