Machine polishing - advice please

Check this out- Griot's Garage Video: 6" Random Orbital, Polishing Basics

Griots has very user-friendly and quality products..in my opinion.

Mike

 

I would recommend contacting Esoteric Detailing and buying their Rupes polisher and test kit, it's not cheap but you will save a lot of time and energy and get perfect results. Scholl and Sonnax polishes are all I use now.

 

Is the paint single stage or clear coated? Clear coat is very hard, so you can use (and will need) an aggressive polish. Single stage paints are typically softer, so you might want to start with something a bit less aggressive and work your way up. Paint thickness matters as well-- if the finish has already been reworked several times you'll need to be extra careful to avoid burning through.

If you've never polished with a foam pad, it changes everything. So much more forgiving than the old cotton bonnets of yore.

I'm not a pro, so I use a Griot's polisher, but I use 5" Uber pads on it because I've found them to be vastly superior to the others I've tried and they come in various levels of aggression.

I'm a huge fan of Menzerna polishes, and most often use their FG400, basing my pad choice on how much aggression is required. FG400 is one of Menzerna's most aggressive polishes (until recently it was their most aggressive), but it finishes out insanely well. In fact, it can be used as a one step polish! I'd have no reservations about recommending it for clear coats, but would be more cautious advising a first timer to use it on single stage paint, depending on how soft the paint is.

For example, some Porsche paints are so soft the FG400 is too aggressive unless the paint is a real mess and the only other choice is a respray. But I've used the FG400 on the single stage paint on my 348 to very good ends, so it really does come down to the paint. Try hand rubbing the finish with a mild polish or cleaner wax on a white applicator to see how much color shows on the pad. If you feel like the paint is pretty soft start out with something like Menzerna's 2500. It's always best to start with less aggressive pads/polishes, and then work your way up.

I suppose you know that you need to clay the paint before starting out, and of course you'll need some sort of a last step protectant to apply once the paint is corrected to your satisfaction.

If you want to learn a bunch about the specifics of paint correction, check out the autogeekonline forums (there are a number of other excellent detailing forms as well)-- you can learn a tremendous amount there by searching and reading.

Best of luck,

///Mike

 

Since you in London I suggest you look up a local dealer. Detailers world forum is right in your backyard asm you will save a boatload on shipping.

Polished bliss is one that comes to mind.

I am not affiliated with them and have never ordered from them.

For machines

Griots garage 6

Griots garage long throw 15 or 21 depending on your preference

Rupes mini if you have a lot of tight curves or the Rupes 15 or 21

The Rupes are great I own 2 but if I were buying today I would consider griots newest offering. They have made minor modification that I have read about that make me think Rupes might follow. They are ergonomic placement of grips to make it more comfortable. That said, I love my Rupes and older gg6

For polish it a tough call without seeing your paint and sadly I'm not polishing a Ferrari so I will only say you should start less aggressive and increase slowly. I'd start with Rupes yellow on a yellow pad if you go Rupes. Or get a green uber pad from detailers,domain and use menzerna 4500. That would be the safe route.

Watch a few tube videos to you can learn how to prime a pad and proper work time and arm speed. Ammonyc has some great videos online.