CAR POLISH

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Offline Frank70

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #200 on: November 14, 2012, 11:35:28 pm »
Frank, let Rocket test out this  bit of kit from China and if Rocket say's its the goods we can get another group bye going. I am happy to be the middleman if Rocket too busy.

Lets see how it goes first  :thumb:

over to you Rocket   :evilone:

and remember  :coolpic:

 :cheers:

OK cool .

thanks !

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #201 on: November 15, 2012, 07:26:22 am »
Here is the Link to the Polishing Kits

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-710W-Dual-Action-Machine-Car-Polisher-Buffer-Sander/465867090.html

Note that the individual price per Kit is $145 including Free Shipping, but the price for 6 or more is now listed at $133.40

Think they got caught out with the current shipment. They actually hit me up with an extra $65 for shipping - explaining that the then bulk buy price had not been calculated including shipping costs. No complaints.... Still think they are excellent value - will know for sure in a couple of hours.

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Offline Frank70

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #202 on: November 15, 2012, 07:53:18 am »
Thanks Rocket.

Seen them as low as $140 shipped from HK on eBay ... I assume they are the same.

Cheers,
Frank.

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #203 on: November 15, 2012, 08:30:41 am »
Thanks Rocket.

Seen them as low as $140 shipped from HK on eBay ... I assume they are the same.

Cheers,
Frank.

Hi Frank, You are correct. They are exctly the same. The Seller is ZFE Stores. A google search shows they are quite active selling car polishers, pads, etc.

Ebay Link -
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3907.m570.l1311&_nkw=car+polisher+buffer&_sacat=0&_from=R40

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Offline jusTANG

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #204 on: November 15, 2012, 10:14:36 am »
I received a email from Antonio from Waxit this morning and gave him a call. I will post up more details when I get access to a computer rather then a phone.  Basically Waxit are happy to support Mustang Owners Club forum members with a 12.5% discount on most products. There are some conditions and I will inform more tonight on how to get the discount.


Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #205 on: November 15, 2012, 06:35:40 pm »
I received a email from Antonio from Waxit this morning and gave him a call. I will post up more details when I get access to a computer rather then a phone.  Basically Waxit are happy to support Mustang Owners Club forum members with a 12.5% discount on most products. There are some conditions and I will inform more tonight on how to get the discount.

jusTang, You are the man. Thankyou :bow: That is an excellent Discount!

Antonio from Waxit.com.au is an accomplished Detailer himself and is an absolute expert at this type of car polishing. You will see him post regularly on the Detail Paradise Forum.
If you read this Antonio, many thanks. We really appreciate your support.

Link to Waxit -
http://www.waxit.com.au/

In other news today, i tested each polisher and packed the polishing kits. All good.
Then i began polishing the Red Mach1. The polisher exceeds expectations! It has plenty of grunt, does not bog down and is reasonably easy to handle. Big tick from me! :thumb:

Full post later with lots of pics.

Rocket.
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Offline jusTANG

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #206 on: November 15, 2012, 07:14:15 pm »
More news on the horizon also :thumb:, just need to sort out some particulars tomorrow

watch this space later tonight for Waxit details and tomorrow night  :evilone:


Offline rocket

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Re Testing the ZFE Dual Action Machine Polisher
« Reply #207 on: November 15, 2012, 08:28:33 pm »
Jeremy brought the Red Mach1 into work today so that we could test the new polisher on it -



We only wanted to test it on a couple of panels today - so did not bother to tape the car up.

First up - Preparing to polish. Important to have the correct materials ready to do the job -



The materials are Quick Detailer, Clay, Clay Lube, Polishes, Pads and clean Microfibre cloths.

I clay the paint first to remove surface contaminants. To do this, break off a piece of clay, knead it in your hands to make it pliable, form a small disc, then spray a bit of clay lube on the surface and gently wipe the clay across the paint surface using a straight motion. Do not use circular motions. The paint is only about 7 months old on this car and it is kept under a car cover, so there were not many contaminants in the paint.
Next i wiped the panel clean after spraying some Quick detailer on the clayed area.

 



We use Menzerna Polishes PF 2500, SF 4000 and SF 4500. The numbers of each polish denote the cutting ability of each polish. eg 2500 will polish out 2500 grit scratches, 4000 will polish out 4000 grit fine scratches and 4500 will polish out 4500 grit scratches, although 4500 is more a refining polish.

First stage of this polish will be PF 2500 with an Orange Lake Country CCS Pad. This is a reasonably aggressive combination which will leave a nice slick base for the finer polishes to follow.
This Mach1 only had a light polish before the Newcastle Nationals, so time to make it gleam.

If you look closely at the following pics - you can see a slight cloudiness in the paint -





After carefully fitting the Pad to ensure it is centred, i give the Pad just one fast spray of Quick Detailer to help lubricate the pad, then apply 4 pea sized dobs of polish to the Pad -





I then dab the Pad onto the panel to be polished. This should be a size of approximately 400mm x 400mm -



I then turn on the polisher to speed no.1 and spread the polish evenly over the area -

 

That only takes about 10 seconds, then i turn the polisher up to speed no.4 and work the polish into the paint. Slow steady movements are used, always keeping the polisher moving slowly across the surface. It will take about 4 minutes to move across the surface about 6 times. Overlap each pass by about 50%. After 4 minutes or so the polish will begin to go clear, then you are done and can then wipe off the excess polish with a clean Microfibre cloth. The only exception to the 4 minutes is if the polish begins to dust up. It hasthen gone dry and will no longer cut. So stop if you see this happen.



Continued next post.

Rocket.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2012, 08:30:42 pm by rocket »
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Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #208 on: November 15, 2012, 08:57:31 pm »
I continued with the rest of the front guard, followed by the rear quarter panel. Here are some pics after the first stage -







The cloudiness is now gone and any swirl marks have disappeared. Next stage will be a lesser cut with a smoother pad to start increasing the gloss. Will tape the car up in the morning and go around the whole car.

Now some observations about the new polisher -

In order to control it correctly, you should hold the body of the polisher with your right hand, with your left hand holding the handle. Steer the machine with your left hand. ie by the handle. It will take a bit of time to get used to this, but after a while you will have excellent control.

I have polished many cars using the Flex forced rotation orbital polisher which is a superb machine. In comparison to this polisher, the Flex goes at a snails pace.
The new polisher IS a dual action machine, but it felt more like a rotary to me. It seems to spin like a rotary and therefore i think you should treat it as one. Initially i went to speed no.6, but quickly realised that was too fast. It was easier to control and seemed to do a better polishing job on speed no.4 For first time users i would even suggest polishing on speed no.3 until you are adept at handling it. This may take an extra minute or so to break the polish down, but a lot safer to start with.

Be very careful around edges. Because of the polishers action, if you buff over an edge you WILL burn the paint. Always buff up to or across to an edge

I did find the speed control a bit awkward compared to the Flex. The control is on the back of the polisher and i found myself lifting the polisher off of the paint in order to adjust the speed so that i could see what speed it was set to.

You will buff a car fairly quickly compared to the Flex, but your level of concentration will need to be high at all times.

Must say i am quite impressed with this polisher - much more than i expected. It is a good purchase.

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Offline Herman

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #209 on: November 15, 2012, 09:17:48 pm »
So having said all that Rocket, would you recommend it to a first time user with no experience with machine polishers.

Herman
Have now converted the other half into doing some of the Concours washin, cleaning & polishing stuff!!!!!!!!

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #210 on: November 15, 2012, 09:43:06 pm »
Hi Herman, Yes i would recommend it for a first time user, but with the suggestion that you use the slower speeds to start with.

For the price i think it is an excellent polisher, but if price is not an issue then i would suggest the Flex which is certainly a smoother, better engineered machine polisher. Problem is most people cannot justify spending $650 for a polisher, then more for pads, polish etc.
Had a conversation with Antonio from Waxit today about these cheaper machines. He tells me that the Concours polisher they sell is made to quite high standards in China, whereas the polishers that we bought are a copy from one of the smaller manufacturers.

So there are 3 options straight away.

1) Flex - superb machine for $650 in Australia
2) Concours polisher complete kit for just under $300
3) Chinese copy for about $140

All 3 will do the job. Buyers choice. :grin:

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Offline Herman

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #211 on: November 15, 2012, 10:38:36 pm »
Thanks Rocket for providing the various options and recommendations through out this thread.  :thumb:

I have been reading each post that everyone has placed in attempt to decide the right way to go.  :evilone:

Herman
Have now converted the other half into doing some of the Concours washin, cleaning & polishing stuff!!!!!!!!

Offline jusTANG

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #212 on: November 15, 2012, 11:18:30 pm »
More news on the horizon also :thumb:, just need to sort out some particulars tomorrow

watch this space later tonight for Waxit details and tomorrow night  :evilone:

 :toetapping: I know some have probably been waiting to see how to take advantage of the discount, however there have been a few issues which are being worked through and I am told we should have some direction in tomorrow on it. I am happy to talk to anyone that can not wait and my contact justinf999@gmail.com

sorry, but stayed tuned
« Last Edit: November 15, 2012, 11:53:36 pm by jusTANG »


Offline evan

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #213 on: November 16, 2012, 07:27:31 am »
Thanks Rocket for providing the various options and recommendations through out this thread.  :thumb:

I have been reading each post that everyone has placed in attempt to decide the right way to go.  :evilone:

Herman
Herm,

Your car has a great finish already IIRC. Why not go down the same route that Rocket recommended for me? CG Jetseal 109 followed by a good wax. No machines required.

Evan.

Offline 65muzzy

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #214 on: November 16, 2012, 09:15:23 am »
I assume that it takes a while to polish the side of the car(maybe 1-2 hours from start to finish). Wouldn't  it be easier to jack or raise each side of the car so that it is easier on your back.

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #215 on: November 16, 2012, 01:11:09 pm »
Herm,

Your car has a great finish already IIRC. Why not go down the same route that Rocket recommended for me? CG Jetseal 109 followed by a good wax. No machines required.

Evan.

Hi guys, well i guess there needs to be a distinction between the need to polish versus a coat of wax or sealant.
When determining whether a polish is necessary i would put the car in full sun and have a look around it from many angles. Is the paint dull or faded? Are there swirl marks, holograms or scuffs in the paint? If the answer is yes to any of those questions - then a polish is required before wax or sealant.

65 Muzzy, Yes, it would certainly be easier with the car up in the air, although i don`t bother about it. You could always go to a place like spercheap and get yourself one of these little seats on wheels. I find it very good when buffing the side of a car. There are a couple of areas where i still need to put my butt on the concrete such as very bottoms of guards and quarters. Thankfully they are only small areas so do not take long. I keep a bit of clean cardboard on hand for those areas - a bit softer on the butt



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Offline Herman

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #216 on: November 16, 2012, 07:00:18 pm »
Quote
Herm,

Your car has a great finish already IIRC. Why not go down the same route that Rocket recommended for me? CG Jetseal 109 followed by a good wax. No machines required.

Evan.

EV

Thanks for the compliments  :thumb: , while the Green Machine's overall finish is pretty good.  I am always looking for ways to improve the car's overall appearance and to make it easier for me but only that I am also wanting to know to did it for my daily drives as well.

Herman

Have now converted the other half into doing some of the Concours washin, cleaning & polishing stuff!!!!!!!!

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #217 on: November 17, 2012, 09:44:46 am »
Hi guys, Did not manage to do any polishing yesterday. Instead i packed up the individual kits and sent them on their way to scedd1, Fast69back and MachAttack.

69Candy called in to pick up his kit on Thursday afternoon during a trip to Adelaide from the South East. Had a good conversation and look forward to meeting up again.

Dale, your kit is waiting for you at work. Call in anytime through the week and i will give you a demo and some tips.

Hope you guys have got your Polish, Quick Detailer and some Microfibre cloths ready. Before and after pics of your efforts would be good to see. :thumb:

As i wrote previously, the recommendation would be to get some larger 6.5" Pads, but the Pads supplied will do the job for now. Just don`t get close to mirrors or bonnet scoops with the smaller pads. If you hit those with the backing plate it will mark them -



Through the week i will do some polishing with the supplied Pads and show which are the Coarsest, down to the Finest.

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Offline 66 Hertz

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #218 on: November 17, 2012, 10:00:42 am »
Ultimatley Rod I would love to be able to catch up with you, with my car for you to look at and recommend the best course of action to remedy a couple of small spots I have issues with. Having my own small business it is real hard for me to be able to bring the car over during the week, saturdays I am work till 12.00. Maybe over the xmas break we can catch up! I will be closing the shop and having a couple of weeks off.
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Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #219 on: November 17, 2012, 10:11:25 am »
Yep... Working for a living is a real b@tch! :lol: Thankfully, only 5 weeks to go till holiday time :thumb: :cheers: :cheers: Can`t wait.

We will be headed down to Millicent the day after Christmas, so unless you fancy a long drive i had better come over and see you one day soon. :thumb:

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Offline shelbyright

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #220 on: November 17, 2012, 05:22:44 pm »
Hi shelbyright Glad you are enjoying the Thread.

Using these RO Polishers is very safe. They do not generate a lot of heat like rotary polishes. If you do it yourself it will be a lot cheaper. It takes about 15 hours to do a whole car in 3 stages.
However, if you really want someone to do it for you it needs to be a specialist polisher. Not a lot of detailers know how to do this type of polishing. Where are you located? If in Adelaide i may be able to assist, but would need the car for a week. We get very busy running our main business, so when polishing a car i just grab a couple of hours a day in between customers.
Here is a list of Detailers in each state who are familiar with  this work -
 http://www.detailparadise.com.au/forumdisplay.php?3-Pro-Detailers-Directory

Rocket.
Thanks Rocket! unfortunateley im in Melbourne. but thank you for the link, ill follow them up.

Regards,

George
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Offline 65muzzy

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #221 on: November 18, 2012, 12:35:00 pm »
Rocket, what procedure would you recommend for a 1-2 year old paint in very good condition. Eg, clay - jetseal then wax. Or would you also do a finish polish as well.

Offline rocket

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #222 on: November 18, 2012, 01:01:28 pm »
Rocket, what procedure would you recommend for a 1-2 year old paint in very good condition. Eg, clay - jetseal then wax. Or would you also do a finish polish as well.

Hi 65muzzy, After washing anbd drying the car, rub your flat hand over the paint. Does it feel rough or coarse? if so, Claying is the first step. Next put the car out in full sun, walk around the car looking at it from all angles. Do you see any fine scratches, swirl marks or holograms? If so, polish before applying a sealant or wax. If it is all good, for the best results i would do the same as Evan.
Apply a sealant first - possibly jetseal109 . I would apply the sealant and then leave it in full shade for 4 hours before buffing off with a clean microfibre cloth. Then i would allow 24 hours for the sealant to cure before the next coat. I suggest 3 coats in total allowing 24 hours between each coat.  Then you could finish off with a couple of coats of wax. Your paintwork will be absolutely gleaming. :thumb:

Rocket.
« Last Edit: November 18, 2012, 01:03:14 pm by rocket »
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Offline 65muzzy

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Re: CAR POLISH
« Reply #223 on: November 18, 2012, 07:49:27 pm »
Hi 65muzzy, After washing anbd drying the car, rub your flat hand over the paint. Does it feel rough or coarse? if so, Claying is the first step. Next put the car out in full sun, walk around the car looking at it from all angles. Do you see any fine scratches, swirl marks or holograms? If so, polish before applying a sealant or wax. If it is all good, for the best results i would do the same as Evan.
Apply a sealant first - possibly jetseal109 . I would apply the sealant and then leave it in full shade for 4 hours before buffing off with a clean microfibre cloth. Then i would allow 24 hours for the sealant to cure before the next coat. I suggest 3 coats in total allowing 24 hours between each coat.  Then you could finish off with a couple of coats of wax. Your paintwork will be absolutely gleaming. :thumb:

Rocket.

Your a legend. Thanks

Offline rocket

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Re: Taming Big Bertha - The Flex Rotary
« Reply #224 on: November 19, 2012, 08:30:29 pm »
65muzzy, What did you determine with the inspection of your paint?

This week i will complete the polishing job on the red mach1. Taped it up this morning using the same tape the professionals use - Painters BlueMasking Tape which is supposed to be a whole lot easier to remove after polishing. Also removed the rear spoiler in preparation for the new one to be fitted after polishing -





Completed the second stage down the side of the car using a white pad with Menzerna 4000 polish. Wanted to keep using the ZFE polisher to keep it all consistent.

Just as i finished the second stage a big parcel arrived. It contained among other things the new Flex PE 14-2-150 Rotary Polisher which i have been reading about on the detailing forums. This was the subject of a phone call with Antonio from Waxit.com.au late last week. I was originally going to buy another Festool Shinex Rotary, but during the discussion decided to give the new Flex a try. -





I wasted no time. Fitted a white pad and began another polishing stage down the side of the car. I can tell you Bertha is a b@tch! From the ease of using the ZFE polisher to fighting to keep the Flex Rotary working in the direction i wanted to polish was quite an initiation. Tonight i am extremely sore having battled for the next couple of hours. Quite a different technique is required when using a powerful rotary polisher. By the time i had finished 2 more stages down the side of the car i had Bertha pretty well under control. Results were excellent. The rotary does the job very quickly compared to a dual action machine - as long as you can control it. The Flex Rotary is a seriously good polisher, i am going to have a lot of fun with it.

Here are afew more pics of todays efforts -







More photos at this link -  http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg34/rocket67/Autopian%20Car%20Polishing/

Tomorrow i will revert back to the ZFE polisher for a while and show the new ZFE polisher owners the correct pads to use from those supplied in their kits.

Rocket.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2012, 08:40:13 pm by rocket »
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