How to properly use a DA polisher?

[TDavis]

For those who use it I'm really interested in how to properly use it, I know that I should practice on a old hood first and thats not a problem seeing as I still have my old regular OEM hood.

If you all can find a good tutorial and/or video on how to properly use a DA polisher without burning through the paint or creating damage that'd be nice.

I'm really interested because it would be alot easier and much more effective with a machine rather then by hand

[BJPbrandon2448]

FYI. Tanner I 100% promise you that you won't burn your paint with a DA..... With that being said it's not that difficult to learn the process, a DA is very user friendly... it takes some work to get the results you want, but when you get there its rewarding! I'm not sure exactly which DA you bought, but watch some of these Meguiar's dual action polisher videos on youtube, they are very informative!

[1995quad4se]

It is impossible to burn your paint with a DA. Just watch a few youtube videos then go to your car and start working, that is the easiest way to learn.

[TDavis]

Only reason I mentioned that was because I kept being told that I'd burn through the paint if I didn't practice on a scrap hood first.

[sleepyalero]

ive also heard you can burn through the clear. as long as your not an idiot (which you are) you shouldnt have a problem.

[TDavis]

ya thats what I was thinking. I don't think you could burn through anything as long as you have some common sense to not continually run the polisher in one spot without moving it.

[sleepyalero]

correct sir!

[1995quad4se]

Thats with a rotary. Too little compound, sitting in one spot too long, or runing too fast will burn. But a DA moves itself enough to prevent it let along if you move it too. I've seen how long it takes to cut down to primer and it aint pretty, we had to remove an F bomb that was keyed into the hood on a car the dealer sold and once we made it to primer we decided its time to paint LOL, the hood was so hot you could barely hold your hand on it for a few seconds. Even if you lightly burn the paint just let it cool for a minute put down some compound and hit it again but slower to fix the burn.

[Metallman56]

with my pc7424, with a cutting pad, and megs #83, even if you turn the speed to full and dont move it, you wont burn or harm your paint. UNLESS the paint isnt clean. thats what makes it such a good tool for newbs learning.

also with a rotary uneven pressure can cause harm to the paint. this is one of the reasons i'm yet to even attempt to use a rotary on my car, the G/A is very uneven in most places.

you really remind me of myself. i was also very nervous to use the pc on my car. i'm one with murphy (want can go wrong will go wrong) but i'm yet to hurt anything on my car. just go for it man, jump right in

[sudden_impulse]

A rotary is easier to use on the GA than a D/A because of the curves and tight places IMO. You can lift the pad a little to get tight places, whereas with a D/A it'll be choppy and not very fun. Also, the first few times you use a D/A buffer for any amount of time, your forearms will hurt.

[TDavis]

Opinion on price?

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Profe...ds=da+polisher

Probably will get the bundle that comes with the polishing pad and finishing pad unless I can find those cheaper at a local auto parts store.

[unchained_01]

That's a good buffer I had one
But I still like my air buffer polisher better
Thid one is good also variable speed
http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-...ds=da+polisher

[sudden_impulse]

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Profe...=pd_sbs_auto_7
I'd get this, much better than the 7424 according to my old boss.

[Metallman56]

the PC is the only DA ive ever used. i really cant go against the amazing results its given me, and the reliability it has brought over the past 6 or 7 years. 0 issues, amazing results that myself and others have posted on here. for the price (110) imo you cant beat it

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7...=pd_sbs_auto_5

whatever you buy you do need pads. you need 3 pads to get the results your looking for. orange, white, and grey. the blue is more for putting wax on, not really needed for results.

http://www.autogeek.net/vcpad.html

[1995quad4se]

I wouldn't go by pad color, call them what they are some companies have different colors. Use a cut pad, polish pad, finishing pad, and a wax pad.

[TDavis]

Originally Posted by Metallman56

the PC is the only DA ive ever used. i really cant go against the amazing results its given me, and the reliability it has brought over the past 6 or 7 years. 0 issues, amazing results that myself and others have posted on here. for the price (110) imo you cant beat it

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7...=pd_sbs_auto_5

whatever you buy you do need pads. you need 3 pads to get the results your looking for. orange, white, and grey. the blue is more for putting wax on, not really needed for results.

http://www.autogeek.net/vcpad.html

Naw I wasn't planning on getting pads, I was actually going to use sandpaper.

I'll get the blue pad too since I use a liquid wax.

How do you go about washing these pads?

[Metallman56]

Sandpaper and elbow grease

[unchained_01]

Those from autogeek are fine examples also

[Metallman56]

Originally Posted by unchained_01

Those from autogeek are fine examples also

ty

Originally Posted by 1995quad4se

I wouldn't go by pad color, call them what they are some companies have different colors. Use a cut pad, polish pad, finishing pad, and a wax pad.

i was just using color for people who are just starting out. if you were here and i asked you to hand me the cutting pad, you would know what pad to hand me. if someone that didnt know about this stuff were here i'd ask for the yellow pad instead of cutting pad. please note that my pads are yellow, white, and blue, aka cut, polish, finish. i dont have a wax pad. i've found that the $20 10" DA i bought a few years ago gets the job done a lot faster. twice the pad, twice as fast. but i think we all can agree that the wax pad is optional. the DAs (and there pads) are more for paint correction then wax application.

[sudden_impulse]

Originally Posted by TDavis

Naw I wasn't planning on getting pads, I was actually going to use sandpaper.

I'll get the blue pad too since I use a liquid wax.

How do you go about washing these pads?

IMO, it's easier and cleaner to wax by hand still. Get the rag damp, and with a carnuba wax you'll be wiping it off as soon as you're done putting it on.

I've cleaned pads in a pad washing bucket (kind of messy and mediocre results), otherwise you can wash them in a sink with degreaser or a specialized pad-washing compound. My favorite method is a pressure washer, but I know most people (including myself) don't have one.