How easy to cause damager with machine polisher...?

[Tombola]

As said above really. I have searched and there is a good bit of info on what polisher to get and polish but would just like to know peoples opinions of how easy it is to actually damage the paint to the point of no return. I have a Cup, stupid question, is the paint thinner? Have nothing to practice on so would be jumping in on the Cup, was thinking perhaps start on a quarter section of the roof?
Thanks
Tom

 

[Kane.]

If you clay the car properly before and use a dual action, you should be fine. Have a search on here or detailing world, it is a lot easier than you think.

 

[RS200Lew]

Asking if the paint is thinner is not a stupid question but you have put it into different context. All paint types vary paint depth readings, including the same manufacturer paints. If you car has had previous owners, there is no way of you guessing if it has been polished or not without a paint depth gauge. Somebody could have really hammered the paint in places and too regular, leaving you with very thin paint readings. You would only find out when its your turn, meaning you could break through the clearcoat in any short session with a cutting compound. Ive always advised people to get their cars checked over first by a professional detailer who can tell you if your car has healthy readings or not. Either this or invest in a paint depth gauge (£200 upwards) and learn yourself. If this means nothing to you as it is too expensive or to just get on with the job, the above post has gave you your answer already . Lew

 

[Narf]

iv done a few cars now.. not to professional standards but good enough to stand back and nod your head with a smile kinda thing.. never even crossed my mind about paint thickness.. and never had a problem.. i use a dual action jobby and i just think to cut through your paint to the point of no return you have to be an absolute tool and very very unlucky

 

[richy22]

u do know how thin and soft certain paint types on cars are?!?!

I've seen some as low as 14 microns over on detailing world! Like f**k I'd touch that.

 

[Jonny1*2]

u do know how thin and soft certain paint types on cars are?!?!

I've seen some as low as 14 microns over on detailing world! Like f**k I'd touch that.

14micron :S the machine must have ran out of paint tbh. Either that or it's been polished to death. As said, polishing isn't as hard as some make out. If you use a DA polisher, you're less likely to cause damage. Saying that, so long as you don't go crazy with pressure while using the rotary youll be fine. Go on detailing world and print off the guides. Very useful and the guy who writes them knows his stuff.

 

[Cliotoby]

Lew is right, he is more precatious than me though. If the previous owner hacked away at it with t cut, or has polished it with a machine numerous times with an agressive compound then it could be very thin in places.

Personally, id get a DA and hack away at it anyway. Simply because Id want a swirl free car and if it ment respraying a pannel then id go do it for that reason. Just be aware of the *possibility* that there might be very little paint left in places. Its not like the DA is a dangerous machine and when polishing (not compounding) very little paint/laquer is removed anyway - Im sure Lew will disagree though.

Im not sure ive ever read posts on a forum before, that have been as wary as Lew is when it comes to machine polishing. Personally, Im encouraging you to go buy a DA and some polish and have a crack. Just be aware of that possible problem where the paintwork could be thin in places, all cars do vary.

 

[RS200Lew]

14micron :S the machine must have ran out of paint tbh. Either that or it's been polished to death. As said, polishing isn't as hard as some make out. If you use a DA polisher, you're less likely to cause damage. Saying that, so long as you don't go crazy with pressure while using the rotary youll be fine. Go on detailing world and print off the guides. Very useful and the guy who writes them knows his stuff.

Some find it harder than others to pick up certain things. With a beginner given any polishing tools, damage is always very likely. There will be a very high percentage of people who dont want to ask questions and would rather have a go at their car and post the mess up afterwards. There will be individuals who detail their cars and have never heard of detailing world before and just watched a neighbour and asked a few questions. Even people are on detailing world every day and ask the same questions that have been answered hundreds of times. They cant be arsed looking/reading the info. I for one will admit that when i started detailing, i was on my car every few weeks polishing areas that had gained marks. It got to the point of my brand new car being 14 months old and starting to get pin holes in the paint. Somebody can easily use a wrong combination (not enough cut) and keep hammering the area as the defects are not going due to them only having one polish in their arsenal. Obviously you know what happens when people just use a heavy compound and not work their way up.

 

[Cliotoby]

Thats a point - Read into it properly well before you have a go yourself. Guides on DW by Dave KG. Vids on youtube.

 

[RS200Lew]

Lew is right, he is more precatious than me though. If the previous owner hacked away at it with t cut, or has polished it with a machine numerous times with an agressive compound then it could be very thin in places.

Personally, id get a DA and hack away at it anyway. Simply because Id want a swirl free car and if it ment respraying a pannel then id go do it for that reason. Just be aware of the *possibility* that there might be very little paint left in places. Its not like the DA is a dangerous machine and when polishing (not compounding) very little paint/laquer is removed anyway - Im sure Lew will disagree though.

Im not sure ive ever read posts on a forum before, that have been as wary as Lew is when it comes to machine polishing. Personally, Im encouraging you to go buy a DA and some polish and have a crack. Just be aware of that possible problem where the paintwork could be thin in places, all cars do vary.

I wouldnt argue with your opinion at all mate. Thats the way you roll. The way i see it on my own car is: I look at keeping my car from new for a good few years meaning polishing will be only very necessary when it needs to be done. You run out of clearcoat and your on for a respray. A resprayed car is no longer new/original in my eyes. As you have stated, people have different approaches to detailing and thats why i have never put a post up on detailing world because i know for a fact that there will be hundereds who think that i take it too seriously and slate the OTT methods. Certain detailers have already made names for themselves going to certain extents that even i wouldnt go to. Some people like it and some dont. I remember a post being put up in here somewhere a short while back taking the piss out of Paul Dalton and Marc from Heavenly Detail for their methods but i look at it in a way how thay have been recognised

 

[Cliotoby]

True dat. I remember Pauls 8 million layers of Zaino Z9000 or whatever it was. And his astra vxr thread. I knew exactly why he did it as soon as I opened it. I somewhat doubt he did go to the extent he said he did, but imagine how that looks to prospective customers

Dom (Dodo Juice) also helped one of the two out, I think it was paul, with marketing, as thats what Dom used to do before dodo juice i believe.