Questions i need answered please.

[Paul.]

Right , im looking to buy a polishing machine to ''properly'' detail the car. The other night i was just going to go and buy a megs g220 but got as far as the confirm purchase part and just left because theres a few things im not sure of. Well i have an idea but i just want to hear exactly what i need and the correct way to use it. My questions :

1. - Is the g220 a good bit of kit for a beginner or is there better out there that will give better results???

2. - The paint on my car is quite soft so what sort of pads/polishes should i be looking at?? (Ive noticed you can buy the g220 with pads and polishes ie sonus/)

3. - Ive never used a polishing machine before so what is the best ''technique'' to use??? I.e how much pressure do you apply , what pads to you use for what etc???

4. - Should machine polishing be done indoors like a garage and is the temperature better being cooler or warmer for the paint??



If any of the detailing geeks out there (ali,alan,rich) could take the time to help me here it would be much appreciated as im wanting to spend a bit of cash today on the RIGHT equipment.

cheers

 

[The Boosh!]

1. - Is the g220 a good bit of kit for a beginner or is there better out there that will give better results???
as a beginner myself i would honestly say YES. so easy to use if you take your time and the results are amazing. there are better polishers EG a proper rotory but as far as DA goes id only consider kestrel g220. i have the g220

2. - The paint on my car is quite soft so what sort of pads/polishes should i be looking at?? (Ive noticed you can buy the g220 with pads and polishes ie sonus/)
i got this kit and sold all my sonus polishes as in my personal opinion i thought they were w**k (some may disagree). I would buy the menzerna sampler kit and pads seperate. buy one cutting pad one polishing pad and one buffing pad. may help you to buy a 6"spot pad aswell to get into the tight areas

3. - Ive never used a polishing machine before so what is the best ''technique'' to use??? I.e how much pressure do you apply , what pads to you use for what etc???
apply how you want at first but then i start over lapping IE left to right down the panel then up and down. spend around 4-5 mins on a small area. if you go onto detailing world there is a really good guide which id STRONGLY reccomend reading:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859
there is also a PDF version if you wanna DL and print!

4. - Should machine polishing be done indoors like a garage and is the temperature better being cooler or warmer for the paint??

depends on the polish. IE menzerna will work outside but if its TOO cold it wont break the polish down properly. id basically say try and do it in a garage (ideally) but doing it outside isn't a massive problem as long as its not stupid cold!

im sure rich etc will be along to share there expertise but for me it was worth the investment. the car looks so much better and doing it is satisfying!
hope this helped

 

[Paul.]

Thanks for that mate. Ill have a read through that link. When you say buy the pads seperateley would i need to buy megs pads because its a megs machine??? Also what are the best pads to use and what size??

Thanks for the reply

 

[Ali]

1. - Is the g220 a good bit of kit for a beginner or is there better out there that will give better results???

I heard they had alot of problems with them. Had my PC 2yrs and it's been grand no issues.

2. - The paint on my car is quite soft so what sort of pads/polishes should i be looking at?? (Ive noticed you can buy the g220 with pads and polishes ie sonus/)

it's not that soft... i'd buy 3' & 6'in back plates (you'll get as 5/6 as std i'd imagine) and a cutting pad/finishing pad...Lake country, 3M or Sonus are all fine...much for muchness tbh

3. - Ive never used a polishing machine before so what is the best ''technique'' to use??? I.e how much pressure do you apply , what pads to you use for what etc???

trial and error, worth popping over to see alan do a car maybe. 2-3 spots of polish on the pay, Dab it on the paint. Work 1.5x1.5ft sections. speed 1-3 & 6. moderate pressure. i don't hold the handle as on speed 6 it's actually quite numbing!

cutting initally, hard pad, ensure you spritz it initally to soften it a little. Cutting really soft pad with a glaze.

4. - Should machine polishing be done indoors like a garage and is the temperature better being cooler or warmer for the paint??

f**k yes!! needs to be about 10-12deg minimum to get a good breakdown of polish! that was the main problem we had when me and bear did the Z4.

Have a look on detailign world theres a few good vids..But in essence it's better to just to try it. You really can't damage the paint, unless you catch an edge with the backin plate or the pad breaks up! bopth have happened to me!

 

[Paul.]

1. - Is the g220 a good bit of kit for a beginner or is there better out there that will give better results???

I heard they had alot of problems with them. Had my PC 2yrs and it's been grand no issues.

2. - The paint on my car is quite soft so what sort of pads/polishes should i be looking at?? (Ive noticed you can buy the g220 with pads and polishes ie sonus/)

it's not that soft... i'd buy 3' & 6'in back plates (you'll get as 5/6 as std i'd imagine) and a cutting pad/finishing pad...Lake country, 3M or Sonus are all fine...much for muchness tbh

3. - Ive never used a polishing machine before so what is the best ''technique'' to use??? I.e how much pressure do you apply , what pads to you use for what etc???

trial and error, worth popping over to see alan do a car maybe. 2-3 spots of polish on the pay, Dab it on the paint. Work 1.5x1.5ft sections. speed 1-3 & 6. moderate pressure. i don't hold the handle as on speed 6 it's actually quite numbing!

cutting initally, hard pad, ensure you spritz it initally to soften it a little. Cutting really soft pad with a glaze.

4. - Should machine polishing be done indoors like a garage and is the temperature better being cooler or warmer for the paint??

f**k yes!! needs to be about 10-12deg minimum to get a good breakdown of polish! that was the main problem we had when me and bear did the Z4.

Have a look on detailign world theres a few good vids..But in essence it's better to just to try it. You really can't damage the paint, unless you catch an edge with the backin plate or the pad breaks up! bopth have happened to me!

cheers mate. Still not entirely sure about back plates et and diff sizes. Why would you recommend those sizes for pads over standard??? Also how much is the PC and where from??? Sorry about all the questions , i just want to make sure im forking out for the proper stuff.

 

[The Boosh!]

pads come in two sizes(mainly). to make it simple big and small.
you need the bigger ones to get the large areas and the smallers ones for the smaller areas.

you can buy any pads for the machine its the backing plates you need to change. small backing plate = smal pad and vice versa.

but yea you can buy any pads really. its all down to personal preferance! all the pads are practically the same (between brands etc) its polishes that you grow to like/dislike

 

[Paul.]

pads come in two sizes(mainly). to make it simple big and small.
you need the bigger ones to get the large areas and the smallers ones for the smaller areas.

you can buy any pads for the machine its the backing plates you need to change. small backing plate = smal pad and vice versa.

but yea you can buy any pads really. its all down to personal preferance! all the pads are practically the same (between brands etc) its polishes that you grow to like/dislike

ok thanks. So can SRP and EGP still be used with the machine then?

 

[Ali]

Aye but i don't rate either. BIN EGP it's shocking. SRP on PC...Pointless imo!

3-6in pads for different area's! Not sure where you buy PC's now I got mine off an old CS member. 182_blue he's a mod over on DW.

 

[Paul.]

Aye but i don't rate either. BIN EGP it's shocking. SRP on PC...Pointless imo!

3-6in pads for different area's! Not sure where you buy PC's now I got mine off an old CS member. 182_blue he's a mod over on DW.

can i ask why and what polishes you would recommend ?

 

[The Boosh!]

Aye but i don't rate either. BIN EGP it's shocking. SRP on PC...Pointless imo!

3-6in pads for different area's! Not sure where you buy PC's now I got mine off an old CS member. 182_blue he's a mod over on DW.

This is the point im trying to make!!!!

Rich will come along and tell you it works brilliantly when applied by machine, yet you dont rate it...

what im tryin to say paul is every one has different preferences. i apply srp by machine as its easyer than using a microfiber. and it looks the nuts just to top up the machine polish.IMO

 

[Paul.]

lol it seems its a varied sort of opinion on the whole process lol. Each to their own i suppose. Very confusing lol! I understand a lot better now though so its a case of G220 or PC??


hmmm ***scratches head***

 

[Gally]

srp is more of a hand used polish and full of fillers, which if you do the pc correct it will take swirls and defects out and reduce the need for fillers.
And g220 mate to start with, although if you start with a pc like I did at work then g220 id like childs play.
I would work up the way from g220 tho.

 

[The Boosh!]

g220 is safer.. ie a lot harder to rip your paint off (although it can be done)

make a mistake with a pc and you'll be fecked... hence why the DA polishers are a favorite for beginners.

 

[Ali]

This is the point im trying to make!!!!

Rich will come along and tell you it works brilliantly when applied by machine, yet you dont rate it...

what im tryin to say paul is every one has different preferences. i apply srp by machine as its easyer than using a microfiber. and it looks the nuts just to top up the machine polish.IMO

For the money it's ok...For an extra couple of quid i'd say Menzerna PO85 RE5 is far better. Use that on a black megs finishing pad. Bingobango! Rich uses EGP & SRp coz it bought it in METRIC GALLONS! lol

 

[The Boosh!]

For the money it's ok...For an extra couple of quid i'd say Menzerna PO85 RE5 is far better. Use that on a black megs finishing pad. Bingobango! Rich uses EGP & SRp coz it bought it in METRIC GALLONS! lol

flol cheers for that iv got some of that polish laying around... is that the less abrhasive one of the finishing polishes yeh?

Will give it a blast next week

 

[Paul.]

cheers for the help folks. interesting read. Going to just go for the g220 and then ill get the pads aswell. Meeting alan later on so hopefully hell be able to give me pointers on how to ust the machine properly.

 

[The Boosh!]

cheers for the help folks. interesting read. Going to just go for the g220 and then ill get the pads aswell. Meeting alan later on so hopefully hell be able to give me pointers on how to ust the machine properly.

yyou wont look back dude. think of it as an investment. you could make all ur money back doing other peoples cars anyway.

 

[Paul.]

yyou wont look back dude. think of it as an investment. you could make all ur money back doing other peoples cars anyway.

yea mate thats the plan. I get a good enough response from people when doing it by hand on my own car so im looking forward to seeing the results with the machine

 

[Ali]

g220 is safer.. ie a lot harder to rip your paint off (although it can be done)

make a mistake with a pc and you'll be fecked... hence why the DA polishers are a favorite for beginners.

:S Pisch flaps. there no diffferent. the Makita's are dangerous. Not Orbital polishers.

 

[alex-avfc]

Is the Kestrel DA worth a look aswell? £90 from CYC...

Only thing with the PC is it requires a transformer and adaptor does it not? Whereas the g220 iirc you can plug straight into mains

 

[Ali]

The Kestel isn't a bad unit actually..David from car wash and wax sells them...Rates them also...

 

[Paul.]

right going for the lake country pads. 4.95 each. Do i need a cutting pad and a finishing pad or anything else??? Will i need back plates or whatever?

 

[Paul.]

this is what im going to go for. Yay or Nay?

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Meguiars_G220_Pads_x3_1.html

 

[Alan]

For me, PC every time, as Ali pointed out the G220's tend to have a lot of problems, my PC is nearly 3 years old and its still going strong and i've used it it on numerous cars for up to 12 hours at a time in all conditions.

Oh and if you want a PC i can prob get you one.

We'll have a better chat tonight mate.

Cheers,

Alan.

 

[Christophe]

where can you buy a g220? forget that just seen link above

 

[Paul.]

i was looking at them on i4detailing mate. you get a 7.5% discount

 

[pete_clio]

i started this 2 years ago.

first thing i bought was a silverline rotary. In my opinion if you know the basics youll be ok. dont used it flat out, say on the same spot, move it about its regular motions you'll be fine.

my mate bought a g220 and it just takes so much longer than a rotary, needless to say, g220 sold, rotary bought. and he hasnt looked back

obviously price maybe an issue, but i have 3M pads and polishes. and if you want look at some of my threads on here and DW, not one has been done with a DA.

I also think the whole rotary thing is possibly just a big scary story really, as said its more likely to burn through on a rotry than a DA but its all technique.

..awaits to be slated.

 

[Paul.]

i started this 2 years ago.

first thing i bought was a silverline rotary. In my opinion if you know the basics youll be ok. dont used it flat out, say on the same spot, move it about its regular motions you'll be fine.

my mate bought a g220 and it just takes so much longer than a rotary, needless to say, g220 sold, rotary bought. and he hasnt looked back

obviously price maybe an issue, but i have 3M pads and polishes. and if you want look at some of my threads on here and DW, not one has been done with a DA.

I also think the whole rotary thing is possibly just a big scary story really, as said its more likely to burn through on a rotry than a DA but its all technique.

..awaits to be slated.

what is 3M pads and what does DA mean?

 

[pete_clio]

DA = dual action ie g220 and the PC
3M = brand name.

3M have 3 colours, green, yellow + blue. Each have their accompanying colour coded pads

Green - Fast cut
yellow - extra fine compound
blue - ultrafina, in my opinion absolutely spotty dog for removing swirls and buffer trails

expensive but worth it

 

[Paul.]

where sells these pads then?

 

[pete_clio]

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/3M_150mm_Pads_1.html

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/3M_Perfect-it_III_Fast_Cut_PLUS_1.html

Links within the different pages for the different colours.

The money youd save buying a rotary over a DA could be spent on a nice sollection of those pads polishes.

 

[Paul.]

so each of these pads serve a different purpose yea? Would i need one of them or a few?? My car has fairly light swirls

 

[pete_clio]

if its fairly light, go with blue pad and some ultrafina, the gloss this puts on my car is unbelievable. The pads come in packs of 2, at least it does where i buy them, still using the first ones in each.

i see those oens are priced individually, must be different where i get mine then.

doesnt matter what you use to apply it with, just what youd feel most comfortable using initially, i just got a rotary and started buffing.

 

[Paul.]

if its fairly light, go with blue pad and some ultrafina, the gloss this puts on my car is unbelievable. The pads come in packs of 2, at least it does where i buy them, still using the first ones in each.

i see those oens are priced individually, must be different where i get mine then.

doesnt matter what you use to apply it with, just what youd feel most comfortable using initially, i just got a rotary and started buffing.

cheers for your help mate^^

 

[JD]

pretty much as the scottish one said in the 3rd post, i have had the PC 3 years and had no issues what so ever.

re polish paul, dont bother with megs or sonus, i bought the PC with megs 80 and 83. took me about 10 times longer to get the right sort of finish as i now achieve with menzerna intensive and final finish/good ol SRP.

there is a link that if you ask Rich nicely he will send you. i watched the videos and got the hang of it, but in all seriousness i am still playing with time, action, size of panel, passes and amount of polish, even after 3 years and about 35 cars or more!

temp wise, too cold i find the polish goes very grainy, to hot you end up hot sweaty and the machine tends to get quite warm. spring pre summer is ideal timing.

all above said IMO of course!

jamie

 

[Paul.]

Right , had a talk with alan tonight n hes set me straight and put me off the idea of the g220. PC on order:approve: Thanks for the tips and advice folks.

 

[JD]

good lad, PC is the way as far as my limited knowledge on brands go

need to order some pads thinking about it . . .

 

[Paul.]

good lad, PC is the way as far as my limited knowledge on brands go

need to order some pads thinking about it . . .

me too lol

 

[oz_clio]

ive got a g220 and although i havent used it much, good things so far and im only a beginner so i dont need anything professional grade. Although im sure if used professionaly it wouldnt have any problems.
Its just like when i first started taking an interest in detailing, perceptions of whats good and whats not have changed alot over time.

Alan!!! After what you said to me on the text!

 

[.GAZ.]

Heavy bent tbh!