damage possibilities

[maddrama]

I'm a novice to corrective paint detailing. I've read about the ease of using a DA polisher and have decided that's what I want to work with(it's safer than any other machine). I don't want to get into rotaries and taking off layers off coating yet, I don't want to mess anyones car up....ever. I have a cousin that's getting training at a shop now for that kind of stuff that's gonna work with the company once he's gotten really good. I figure if I ever need any more ppl that it won't be me and i'll just hire someone else that's really good.......But anyways, I'm under the impression that I can't do any damage with a DA. Is this true? If not, what kind of damage can I do? What kind of things can I do with one(as far as what type of service)?

[Carfire]

Re: damage possibilities

It is way harder to burn through the clear coat, but if you do not work the polish in the swirls may remain. Also if you use too aggressive of a compound you can make more damage. But if you ask question and watch videos, either bought or on Youtube like I did, it can help a lot!!

Good Luck!!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: damage possibilities

If you follow guidelines set forth by Meguiar's and don't do crazy things that totally ignore those guidelines, you'll be fine.

Things to keep in mind are:

• Do not use the W7006 or W7207 cutting pads with the G110
• Do not use chemicals that are not formulated for use with the G110 (such as M85 Diamond Cut, M04 Heavy Cut Cleaner, etc)
• Don't run the machine at speed 6 due to the extreme heat that can build up at the pad/backing plate interface

While there are several folks who have done one or two of these things without issue, once you start moving in that direction you begin to set yourself for potential issues. We've seen comments from people who used an aggressive compound (not D/A friendly), a foam cutting pad (not D/A friendly), ran the machine on speed 6, applied a lot of downward pressure (I've read one person say he was heavily bogging down the machine like this) and then dwelling on one area for a prolonged period of time trying to remove a defect. In this particular instance the user actually commented that when he immediately sprayed a quick detailer on the area it steamed off. Yes, it steamed off. That is HOT (and not the way Paris Hilton uses the term ). Others have been known to actually burn through the clear coat using this method. (by the way, these cases were posted on another car forum, not here at MOL)

Remember, you're using a power tool, so you need to use it correctly. The good news is that using a G110 incorrectly as described above almost takes a conscious effort to do so. If you use it as intended then it's almost impossible to accidentally cause a problem, even when just leaning how to use it.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: damage possibilities

But anyways, I'm under the impression that I can't do any damage with a DA. Is this true? If not, what kind of damage can I do? What kind of things can I do with one(as far as what type of service)?

Like Mike Stoops wrote, the DA Polisher is pretty much "Bubba-Proof" unless you purposefully use it the wrong way... it's light and easy to control that kids to grandmas are using it...

The dual action polisher will almost always product better results faster, and with far less energy and time required than the human hands. I have never met anyone who after purchasing a G110 dual action polisher later regretted it. In fact, just the opposite, I often times hear people say they wish they would have known about the dual action polisher years ago...

The dual action polisher is light weight and easy to control. Because the motor oscillates and rotates, it provides effective cleaning ability to remove defects out of paint. If you push down to hard on the unit the motor reacts by slowing down and even stopping both the rotating action and the oscillating action preventing you from swirling or burning through your car's finish.

Compared to working by hand... there really is no comparison... It's easy enough to use and master that anyone with a little practice can be producing professional results in not time...




Let us know when you get the tool and we an help you to pick the right pads and products for the kind of work you think you'll be doing.

Until then, read through this...

How To use: G110 - G220 - G100 - PC/Porter Cable - UDM
If you're moving up to machine polishing, be sure to read the below thread before starting...
Tips & Techniques for using the G110, G100, G220 and the PC Dual Action Polisher
(These are all similar tools)

[Mike Phillips]

Re: damage possibilities

There's literally tons of helpful information on this forum, for example check out the pictures from our Saturday classes, some of them are like how-to guides just from a one-day class here at Meguiar's.

Like this thread,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30686

Another fun day at Meguiar's Garage!












And here's how we did it...

The paint felt like asphalt...



We used Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove approximately 9 years of built-up bonded contaminants.





Icky!




Meguiar's teaches to use the least aggressive product to get the job done but in this case we went right for the Ultimate Compound.





Oooh.... that feels smooth and glassy...



Let me feel...



It's important to know how to work by hand and machine, here we go over the correct
way to hold the pad and work it with the Ultimate Compound over the paint.





When placing your pad on the backing plate, center the backing plate on the back of the pad.



We also mark the back of the foam pad to easily see if the pad is rotating or not...



The G110 is easy to learn how to use and faster and easier with better results than working by hand...















For these shots all we did was use Ultimate Compound by machine followed with a coat of NXT Tech Wax 2.0

BEFORE



AFTER




Time for close inspection in sunlight...




The sections worked by hand and machine both came out a Zillion times better!



Overhead shots











BEFORE



AFTER