Why use a PC? (newbie question)

A

Andy69

New member
total newbie question but if i dont ask, i'll never know....



Why is a PC better when applying sealents/glazes and waxes?



I can uderstand it for swirl and scratch removal as it takes bloody ages by hand with something like scratch X but what benefit do they give on finishing coats?



My paint is fairly new and hasnt really suffered from scratches or swirls (or at least they are all hidden) so is it still worth getting a PC?



Also, why do you use it to apply the product but remove by hand? logic tells me you would benefit from a high speed buffing when removing?



Sorry for the dumb questions
 
With 99.9% of the modern sealants on the market today, the thinner you apply them, the better results you will get. A PC is simply the easiest way to apply sealants whisper thin with a perfectly even coat over the entire car.



As for removal, once you're at the stage where you're removing your LSP (Last Step Product) there is simply no need for any kind of power or pressure. A light touch with a quality microfiber or terry towel is more than enough.



PS. I have heard well respected members of the community state that excessive 'touching' - of any kind before the final sealant/wax has cured could negatively disrupt the effectiveness of the sealant and since the PC and to a greater extent a rotary does far more work than by hand, the use of the machines to remove dried wax haze might actually remove too much. This just follows the "Less is best" philosophy that true detailers adhere to.
 
It is definatly a more even and thinner layer of product with a PC, than by hand. I believe the machine speed helps burnish the polish a little more than by hand, even more so with a rotary. This burnishing seems to give the finish a deeper clarity smoother appearance and more depth than the same application by hand.
 
get one of those craftsman 1000 watt halogen lights and turn it on full blast over your car in the garage, the scratches and swirls will hide no longer. silver is one of those colors that masks them better than others, but even though they are harder to see, they are still there. you cant replicate by hand the effect the pc will have on your paint.
 
Well there are many reasons that members have pointed out... Even with a brand new vehicle you can still benefit from a PC. New off the lot my truck was full of dealer installed swirls and some fine scratches, I was able to remove them with the PC and some Meguiars products.



I have been able to get FAR BETTER results with a PC vs. hand application. Deeper, wetter looking paint! I think of it more as an investment you are spending thousands of dollars for a vehicle and the small price you pay for the PC will help you keep it looking its best at all times.



I am sold on the PC I would never give it up for anything!
 
well ive taken your advice and bought one, Although not quite a PC.



I bought a rotary polisher from machine mart, along with a blue pad and a pink one.



this one





It was fairly cheap £70 ($40) but looked like a good starter one. They guy in the shop said he sells dozens. Its got an adjustable speed from 1000rpm to 3000rpm.



I had a quick go on a few panels last night with some NXT on the blue pad at the lowest speed setting. Its bloody hard to hold still, feels like im trying to hold a road digging hammer on my car! but hopefully i'll get the hang of it.



Is the above ok or have i done wrong?



(the results werent really anything better than i had applied by hand though and couldnt see any difference to the neighbouring hand applied panels :o )
 
andy69 - as for the rotary polisher you bought, i hate to tell you this, but it's too much for what you want to do. i guess in terms of polishing power, from the weakest to the strongest, it goes - hand, PC, rotary polisher. and a rotary polisher can actually damage your paint if you aren't careful enough. for one thing, it is powerful enough to heat the paint and damage it. and most people get a rotary when they really need to take care of some bad paint. and for applying NXT, it's really an overkill. as you saw for yourself, there was no difference. maybe you can think about it this way, do you want to risk damaging your paint just so you can apply NXT quicker?



and while yes, with a PC you can apply thin coats of your sealant or wax, you can also get thin coats by hand too. it'll take some practice to get it down, but thin coats by hand is possible.



but as for the benefits of a PC, it's biggest benefit is in polishing. try reading this article for a better insight into a PC. so if you want to get rid of your swirls, then a PC would be beneficial.



good luck. :wavey
 
Andy69 said:
well ive taken your advice and bought one, Although not quite a PC.



I bought a rotary polisher from machine mart, along with a blue pad and a pink one.



this one





It was fairly cheap £70 ($40) but looked like a good starter one. They guy in the shop said he sells dozens. Its got an adjustable speed from 1000rpm to 3000rpm.



I had a quick go on a few panels last night with some NXT on the blue pad at the lowest speed setting. Its bloody hard to hold still, feels like im trying to hold a road digging hammer on my car! but hopefully i'll get the hang of it.



Is the above ok or have i done wrong?



(the results werent really anything better than i had applied by hand though and couldnt see any difference to the neighbouring hand applied panels :o )
Click to expand...
:eek: :scared:
 
i hear ya, i probably could have a blower on my gt if it wasnt for my obsession with detailing. but all in good time, all in good time....
 
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