bretzke

I am considering getting an orbital polisher to start detailing my own vehicles. I'm tired of hand waxing, and half the time I end up taking it to a pro detailer and paying $100 plus to detail the car.

Do I have to be a pro to learn how to use one of these things?

Which brand and model should I buy if cost is not a huge object?

Thanks!

Infamous 1

iTrader: (20)

Porter Cable 7424 is a great beginner polisher and very easy to use. Many of the vendors carry it and are more than happy to go into details about the polisher and accessories.

Angelo

Here's a link to our machine polishers that you can look over.

http://www.properautocare.com/porcabpolac.html

The Porter Cable 7424XP has been of the favorite polishers around and easy to learn and use.

micel

100$ is pretty reasonable,how much is your time worth?
I find with today's products a hand detail takes the same if not less time.Get a nice surface once then wash,clay and seal.Pay a pro once to polish and you can wash,clay&seal in less than 90 minutes.Most pro's only use a high speed polisher and the rest is hand.To get a good exterior paint detail here in s.fl. its 350$+,with no problem areas!

embolism

If you enjoy spending time on your car then go for it.

Even if you don't want to spend 8 hours going through the entire process (wash, clay, polish, seal/wax), you can break the job up over a couple days or even a few weekends until you build up your skills, efficiency, and stamina.

HIDness

iTrader: (1)

i enjoyed doing it myself, learned quite a few things but i like to give myself a break in between. wash, rest 30min, clay bar, rest 30min, polished, rest 30min and seal/wax. DONE! whole process took me 7-8 hrs including breaks.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

How are you doing 8 hour details? Proper paint correction alone can take 10-20+ hours easily...

Angelo

One can master the 7424XP very well and quickly. That would be the machine I would get first.

Todd@ProperAutoCare

+1 on the 7424, but if you have a guy who is doing a good job detailing your car for only 100 dollars, then it might be worth staying there.

bretzke

Thanks for all the advice and info. Looks like the issue is a little more complicated than I thought, but I've got a great place to start.