Any New Porter Cable users.

[deadonkey]

Hi.

Im interested in getting a Porter cable. Fair enough ive not got a 172/182 but it would be nice to keep whatever car i have (1.2 16v mk2 ph2) in showroom condition.
As far as I can see buying a PC is the only way to do this as polishing by hand simply doesnt "cut it"

I am a total novice, Ive never used a machine polisher before so I was just wanting to ask any new PC owners who have only used their new PC a few times what it is like.

How easy is it to master, what does the finish look like compared to hand polishing.
I believe the importing from the USA thing isnt a problem as autopia are very good. This part doesnt bother me its if I will be able to use the pc right that is putting me off.

As far as products I was planning on buying the 6 and 4" sonus pads and using either SSR 1, 2, 2.5 or the megs #83 / #80.

 

[Rich]

what does the finish look like compared to hand polishing.

The PC will remove defects that would take days to remove by hand, or thoses by hand wouid even fail to do so.

The gloss you will achieve using a well choosen finsihing polish will surpass in most cases the finish you can get by hand.

 

[FiDoDiDo]

You'll hear alsorts about the PC but getting used to it really isn't that bad, if you don't have a great deal of convidence with it get some scrap panels to try on first.

The results speak for themselves (picture from 182_blue):

 

[deadonkey]

Yeah. I understand they are great and will remove defects well.

I polished my car by hand today and tried using megs scratch x.
although a slight improvement. It certainly wasnt worth the 2 hours i spend putting it on taking it off putting more on taking that off etc.
Dont get me wrong I dont mind spending a good few hours polishing a car but I expect a very good result at the end of my hard days work, not a slight improvement. Very dissapointing

(I also AG SRP and megs liquid waxed it)

Theres no escape from a machine polisher, I dont think I can achieve the results I want using my hands anymore.

 

[Rich]

You'll hear alsorts about the PC but getting used to it really isn't that bad, if you don't have a great deal of convidence with it get some scrap panels to try on first.

In the same token others will say that it is impossible to do damage to your paint with a PC which unfortunatly is not true. Some people used to quote "The only way you can damge paint with a PC is if you actually throw it at the panel" which is not true at all.

But yes using a polishing pad and a mild polish you should be quite safe.