Halfords DA polisher

[AliGTI]

Evening lads and lassies

Just been in Halfords and noticed they are now selling a DA polisher and pads. Has anyone bought one yet? If so does it do the job?

[willni]

If you're talking about this one;

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/polishers-steam-cleaners/halfords-dual-action-car-polisher

Knowing halfords it's overpriced for what it is,

This one is very popular with part time cleaners;

https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/polishing-prep-waxing/machine-polishers-polishing-kits/da3-mini-12mm-dual-action-polisher.html

And it's sold by a company that solely deals in car care products. But yeah the cheap ones are cheap for a reason, uncomfortable to use, bad at their job and actually expensive for what they give.

[pudding]

One could argue that all DAs are expensive, for what is essentially just an electric sander adapted to take foam pads 

The Halfords one seems pretty reasonably priced and would no doubt give better results than a hand job 

[willni]

One could argue that all DAs are expensive, for what is essentially just an electric sander adapted to take foam pads 

The Halfords one seems pretty reasonably priced and would no doubt give better results than a hand job 

DA spin in two directions and in a orbit also known as throw so reduces heat.
A rotary is similar to an electric sander in that it spins one direction and around a fixed point.

And i don't know about where you live but at car washes near me if you leave £10 on the dashboard during a car wash you'll definitely get the top range hand job

[Mark_DF05]

How does this one compare? Better or worse?

As far as I can see it's more powerful and bigger than the one on the autobrite site?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Das-6-Pro-Power-Plus-900W-Dual-Action-Random-Orbital-Machine-Polisher-Brand-New/262253237719?epid=2130448526&hash=item3d0f82d5d7:g:5kUAAOSwoG5Z-Q12

[willni]

How does this one compare? Better or worse?

As far as I can see it's more powerful and bigger than the one on the autobrite site?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Das-6-Pro-Power-Plus-900W-Dual-Action-Random-Orbital-Machine-Polisher-Brand-New/262253237719?epid=2130448526&hash=item3d0f82d5d7:g:5kUAAOSwoG5Z-Q12

Not an easy question, power doesn't = better in polishers, and size can be great or a hinderance depending on panel. The cheap ones work but are generally heavier, filmsy and uncomfortable in use like a Peugeot , when you buy a brand like Meguiars it's all round better in comfort, use, build and a bit lighter (you'll be holding this at arms length on the roof for an extended time remember).

My Meguiars polisher just broke after 8 years and many many cars. So if you'll use it once a year go for a cheap one, if you're going to use it on 5+ a year might be worth getting a better one.

[Rossimac]

And i don't know about where you live but at car washes near me if you leave £10 on the dashboard during a car wash you'll definitely get the top range hand job

😉 tee hee

[Mark_DF05]

The time has come to purchase a DA polisher now as I no longer have access to the Festool one I was previously using. On quite a tight budget, willing to spend up to £100 on the machine. (I already have some Menzerna polish and Lake Country pads which I can use for now.) Had a look online and found a couple of options all with fairly good reviews: Wittled it down to 2 options I think:

DAS6 Pro from cleanyourcar.co.uk -£99.99 delivered with promo code
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-dual-action-polisher/prod_673.html?added=673
Seems the most popular option in this price range, gets good reviews. Comes with 2 backing plates 5 and 6”

Duren Polisher from Slimsdetailing.com - £99.99 delivered.
http://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/duren-detailing-electric-polisher-kit.html
Also gets good reviews although not as highly praised as the DAS6 Pro but comes with 6 pads (not sure how good they’ll be however). Comes with 2 backing plates 5 and 6”

I’m aware Argos sell a version of the above for around £60 but only comes with a large backing plate as far as I can see and it doesn’t have the carry case either which will be useful I imagine. I think the Halfords one above could also be the same.

I’ll only be using this a handful of times a year, so I think either will do the job but for the same price, is the DAS6 Pro the best option? Obviously it doesn’t come with pads but seems a better machine.

Are there any others I should consider?
   

[eddie pk]

i think the das 6 pro would be my choice , 6 mtrs of cable as well ... seems to get very good reviews for a long time now on detailing world website .. sometimes paying a bit more for tools makes sense and last a long time. buy cheap buy twice as my gran used to say .. probably ..

[Mark_DF05]

Yeah makes sense, just purchased the das 6 pro.

[pudding]

As a machine polishing newbie, I bought the Halfords machine today, £85, and some G3 Professional SuperGloss wax, £27.  I already had some G3 yellow compound sitting around, so used that instead of posh branded stuff.

Took me 6 hours to machine it and wax it.  I am by no means a detailer and could have spent longer on it, but the swirls came out pretty quickly with a yellow (medium) pad.

There isn't a lot I can say about the Halfords DA as I have nothing to compare it to, but it certainly works well enough for me.   Feels robust, pretty light, 5M cable and seemed to handle fairly heavy pressure no probs.   I soaked it in water several times whilst rinsing the pad out and it handled that as well.

It's difficult taking pictures in the sun with a phone, but I don't think it has come up too bad at all for cheap stuff