Orbital Polisher Newbie

[dazza]

I bought an orbital polisher last year. I was pretty happy with the results.

Trying to improve it more this year plus remove the scratches i've put in it from my poor wash routine.

There are a few areas i did not polish which i would like to this time. Including the bumper lip under the boot. Its very scratched.

Some tips on what pad/polish combo please?

Maybe i need a polish with a heavier cut?

What i have

Polish
Chemical Guys V36 Optical Cut   
Chemical Guys V34 Optical Compound   
Dodo Juice Supernatural Micro Prime Pre-Wax Cleanser Polish 250ml
dodo juice lime prime

Pads
Chemical Guys Hex-Logic 5,5" - Orange - Medium Cut   
Chemical Guys Hex-Logic 5,5" - Verde - Light Cut & Polish   
Chemical Guys Hex-Logic 5,5" - Negro - Finishing
Dodo Juice Supernatural Corduroy Cutting Pad 148mm
Dodo Juice Supernatural Fin Cut Heavy Polishing Pad 150mm
Dodo Juice Supernatural Fin Cut Light Polishing Pad 150mm
Dodo Juice Supernatural Ultra-Soft Finishing Pad 160mm
Dodo Juice 80mm pads Orange, red and black fin.

[dazza]

Started to polish the roof using V34 and the heavy cutting pad. A few defects came out but not the deeper scratches. I've ordered some V32 maybe this will give me a bit more cut?

[dansmith180]

I've heard the chemical guys polishes aren't very good, I would use your heaviest pad with some Rupes UHS or Menzerna FG400, also Megs 105/ 205 with microfibre pads is good on a DA machine. Getting stuff out of VAG paint with a DA is hard work so you'll need some very aggressive polish/ pad combos to get the best results.

If you aren't already taping up all the rubbers and plastics is a good idea, also any exposed edges that might get caught by the side of your pad because since there's no polish on it there's a chance of going through the paint but this is unlikely on a DA. Good luck 

[dazza]

I've heard the chemical guys polishes aren't very good, I would use your heaviest pad with some Rupes UHS or Menzerna FG400, also Megs 105/ 205 with microfibre pads is good on a DA machine. Getting stuff out of VAG paint with a DA is hard work so you'll need some very aggressive polish/ pad combos to get the best results.

If you aren't already taping up all the rubbers and plastics is a good idea, also any exposed edges that might get caught by the side of your pad because since there's no polish on it there's a chance of going through the paint but this is unlikely on a DA. Good luck 

Thanks mate already ordered some V32 now will give that a go. If i'm not happy with the result i will try the compounds you mentioned.

[dazza]

The V32 arrived this morning along with a hex logic heavy cutting pad.

I did two passes with these it seemed to put more swirls into the paint but got rid of most of the deeper scratches.
I then continued with the v32 and the hex logic medium cutting pad. For the first time ever i could actually see a difference in the section i had done.

Should i do another pass with the V32 & Medium Cutting pad or start working with the lighter polish and pads?

[dansmith180]

Go to a lighter polish and pad to finish it off.

[dazza]

I've had enough now not even finished the roof. 

Did another pass with the V32 and the Hex-Logic Medium Cut   
I skipped the V34 as it just puts powder everywhere. (I think its off)
Then a pass with the V36 and the Supernatural Fin Cut Heavy Polishing Pad
And another pass with the V36 and Hex-Logic Light Cut & Polish pad.

Will finish the roof tomorrow with finishing pad and some dodo micro prime or lime prime.

Do i really need so many steps?? It will take a month at this rate.

[dansmith180]

That's why I like the UHS or FG400 (which is a bit dusty) they finish very well even though they're heavy compounds, you can refine over them as well for extra gloss but isn't needed on most cars (especially lighter colours).

Just use your heaviest pad/ compound combo and then I light one to finish, with a DA you only ever need 2 steps really. Also you don't have to press as hard with the finishing stage or work it in as long.

[dazza]

Thanks mate so V32 on a heavy pad then V36 on a finishing pad?

I didn't do a very good job on the roof last time i lost momentum having spent so much time on some really deep scratches else where.

Its looking good now. There is one scratch which i may have another go at.

[dansmith180]

Thanks mate so V32 on a heavy pad then V36 on a finishing pad?

Yeah that should do it, don't get to caught up trying to remove every scratch as with a DA you won't get everything out of VAG paint.

[dazza]

Thanks mate so V32 on a heavy pad then V36 on a finishing pad?

Yeah that should do it, don't get to caught up trying to remove every scratch as with a DA you won't get everything out of VAG paint.

My car has too many scratches just one the roof that i see everytime i put the kids in the car. Its a scratch that no one else can see.  My wife thinks i'm nuts.

[dazza]

Now that the sun is out I Keep spotting defects all over the place.

I'm thinking about getting one of these. Worth it??


FLEX XC 3401 VRG Positive Drive Orbital Polisher

[xjay1337]

Good machines.
They are forced drive dual action polishers.
I personally prefer a rotary,  we use flex pe14-2-150s
Rupes are good and so are those flex vrgs
 The rupes are random orbital da which will slow down or stop spinning if you angle it as such.  They have a bigger throw which is good for larger panels.  Annoying on smaller ones. Id get the flex vrg personally but i think dan rates the rupes very highly  :) he uses them a lot more , ive never used a rupes myself.

[dazza]

Good machines.
They are forced drive dual action polishers.
I personally prefer a rotary,  we use flex pe14-2-150s
Rupes are good and so are those flex vrgs
 The rupes are random orbital da which will slow down or stop spinning if you angle it as such.  They have a bigger throw which is good for larger panels.  Annoying on smaller ones. Id get the flex vrg personally but i think dan rates the rupes very highly  :) he uses them a lot more , ive never used a rupes myself.

Thanks mate will i see better results than with the das 6?

[dansmith180]

Yeah I'm a Rupes whore, I dont know much about the flex VRG's tbh but I've heard some good reviews on them. I love the Rupes machines and with a good pad/ compound combo you could get ypurs looking spot on, they're much more powerful than a standard DA (like the DAS6) and not quite as powerful as a rotary. The only downside really is that you can't just put a small backing plate on a big machine you need both machines to use the 150mm and 80mm pads. Luckily at work we have all the machines so its not an issue for me.

Personally I'd reccomend this, and also a bottle of the UHS compound to use with the green pad as I find you can get more out with it.

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/rupes-lhr15es-bigfoot-random-orbital-standard-kit.php

If you do want to order it or any stuff let me know and I'll get you a discount