Talk me out of/into buying a machine polisher

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I'm in a dilemma. I just cant decide whether I should buy a machine polisher or not. Ive been looking into the megs G220, but I dont know if I can justify spending that much money!

I finished properly cleaning/polishing my car the other day (using SRP), and I cant help but think the result wouldnt be much different after using the G220!
Ive seen a load of before/after pics using the G220, but again, surely you can get those results by hand?

Is the main (or only) benefit of a machine polisher just because its easier? ie. not so much hard work!

 

[riz]

results are amazing, much better than by hand.

I thought about it for 1year. I got one and the results are really good. But i use it maybe twice a year. It is a right PITA to mask everything up and stuff. But worth it. Oh and it takes ages to do a car properly!!

 

[Rich]

I think you will be genuinely surprised at the level of gloss that you will get from a machine polish, I was the most skeptical person in the world but you really cannot burnish the paint to the same level by hand as you can with machine. Same for defect correction what a machine can do in mins will take hours by hand and still not be as successful.

As you said it is a lot of money to outlay if you won't use it that much, just pay someone to do it.

 

[Bluebeard]

Machine polishing a car will give a better result by far.

As the boy says though, its a f**king nightmare to do and can take two days to do a full car properly.

You will only use it a handful of times a year though so it may be worth your while paying a pro to do it for you instead.

 

[Henry]

i've a G220 that i've used to go over the car once and, tbh, it's *very* hard work.

if your car's covered in minor scratches/swirls (as mine was), you're not going to remove them by hand, so you've no option but to be using a machine really.

but - as said - it takes an absolute age as you need to work the polish in. i think it took me a couple of weeks of my sporadic spare time to do the whole car. they're probably quicker/more effective (than hand) to use with non-abrasive polishes though.

i think CleanYourCar.com have recently introduced a 'cheap' DA polisher on their site - that's the one i'd buy if i were looking

 

[Gary-Lew]

I bought the Kestral DA and its brilliant, corrected a matt white impreza back to show standard over 2 days of just machineing, the results are fantastic, and it costs £80 for the kestral

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I think the thing thats bugging me is that my car is already is excellent condition. There are very little scratches/swirls etc on the paintwork. So I dont think a machine polisher would be of the same benefit as if my car was in horrible condition!

I think I might leave it for the time being. A good test will be my Mums car. The paint isnt in the best condition, and there is a LOT of swirl marks. So if I can do a good job of polished that up by hand, I think I'll give the machine polisher a miss!

Thanks guys, opinions still welcome!

 

[riz]

I think the thing thats bugging me is that my car is already is excellent condition. There are very little scratches/swirls etc on the paintwork. So I dont think a machine polisher would be of the same benefit as if my car was in horrible condition!

I think I might leave it for the time being. A good test will be my Mums car. The paint isnt in the best condition, and there is a LOT of swirl marks. So if I can do a good job of polished that up by hand, I think I'll give the machine polisher a miss!

Thanks guys, opinions still welcome!

Look at your car at a service station at night. That the real test for me

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I know what you mean!

When I put the car in our garage a few months ago, it looked quite bad! You never see these marks in the day time!
I may have to have another look soon!

 

[Gary-Lew]

my 182 is mint but under 500watt halogens its full of light swirls, i have not done mine yet! only others

this is my 182 with swirls but filled with filler polish, if you clay your car and then inspect it you will find loads of swirls all over it.

with all the waxes etc removed by claying and under a 500watt halogen

Hope this helps you decide!..................................................Gary

 

[Rich]

The results wont be as noticeable as if it was riddled with defects but the swirls aside I really think the depth of gloss you will get by machine and some menzerna final finish would change you mind.

Have you seen the car on a bright summers day yet ? - all those marks you currently only see under halogens at the garage will then show up all day long.

 

[Gaz_]

Go for it. Yes hey are hard work, but, less hard then by hand. I'm throwing some SRP over the 197 this week with PC. Easier than by hand, but gives a better finish imo. I'll then top it with some EGP.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Stupid question: So theres no reason why you cant use SRP and EGP with a machine polisher?

 

[Rich]

SRP works fine by hand, just works even better by machine.

EGP I only ever use by hand anyway.

 

[Gaz_]

SRP by PC, and then x2 EGP by applicator pad, maybe topped off with some Collinites if time. Job done till spring then

 

[jack_davey]

I'm glad I bought mine, never looked back.
Having said that, you can get very good results by hand but it is a lot more effort!

 

[VIICarCare]

It took me 3 weeks 2make my mind up and pick the model.

£££s later,i had the g220 with megs 80 n 83,and the apropriate pads etc. Its an investment imo,if u wana look after ur pride and joy.

I have used mine once on mine,its hard work but fun and worth it!

I have tried megs,menzerna and 3m. Personally i prefer the 3m range. I have also just purchased the poorboys world super swirl removers,not tried yet but looking forward to it!

Id say buy one,well worth the money

 

[VIICarCare]

It took me 3 weeks 2make my mind up and pick the model.

£££s later,i had the g220 with megs 80 n 83,and the apropriate pads etc. Its an investment imo,if u wana look after ur pride and joy.

I have used mine once on mine,its hard work but fun and worth it!

I have tried megs,menzerna and 3m. Personally i prefer the 3m range. I have also just purchased the poorboys world super swirl removers,not tried yet but looking forward to it!

Id say buy one,well worth the money

 

[riz]

yeah i want the 3m stuff, megs is a PITA

 

[Rich]

Never had a problem with Menzerna guess I am just use to it and nothing else I have tried yet comes close. Will get some 3M when the Menz runs low. I found the Megs 83 more of a pain tbh.

The Poorboys SSR range are the easiest to use, but don't produce the same results as the Menzerna.