Dual action polisher or DA power system

[Dtro176]

Hey guys I have a decision to make. In the spring I want to purchase a polisher. My choice is the Dual Action Polisher or the DA power system. I have a Traverse and I think a 4" pad will take me forever to complete the job. My drill speed is at the lowest end of the recomended speed. I'm a bit nervous about using the Polisher though. I ruined a paint job long ago with a polisher. I already use NXT paste wax. Which do I purchase? Is the Dual action polisher easy to use for a novice like me? I have some cash that's just burning a hole in my pocket HAHAHA

[Murr1525]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

If you have nothing, and can afford it, I would go with one of the proper DA polishers and pads, etc.

Pads and products would depend on current condition of the car, and others you may work on, etc.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

Hey guys I have a decision to make. In the spring I want to purchase a polisher. My choice is the Dual Action Polisher or the DA power system. I have a Traverse and I think a 4" pad will take me forever to complete the job. My drill speed is at the lowest end of the recomended speed. I'm a bit nervous about using the Polisher though. I ruined a paint job long ago with a polisher. I already use NXT paste wax. Which do I purchase? Is the Dual action polisher easy to use for a novice like me? I have some cash that's just burning a hole in my pocket HAHAHA

Hey Dtro

The DA Power system is pretty nice to have in your arsenal and recommend it but seeing that you don't have a DA I along with many guys on here would say get the DA rather the 7424 porter cable or the G110 V2.

You can purchase the machine or get it in a kit with many options to fit your needs and income. I recommend this kit here since your getting started and grab a box of Meguiars smooth surface clay kit and also a bottle of ultimate compound (UC) & ultimate polish (UP) along with a bottle of ultimate wax (UW) and all 4 of these (Clay Kit/ UC/ UP/ UW can be bought from wall mart.

Now get your G110V2 and pad kit, I recommend 4)polishing pads>for UC & cleaners & 2) finishing pads >for your last step proucts (LSP) waxes & sealants, also if you can swing it several or more good micro-fiber towels. Also don't worry you'll be fine with the DA and you won't harm your paint, unless you drop it on it!
And one last thing that I have found very helpful in cleaning my pads is

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/meguiars-pad-cleaner-g19410.html

Later on get one of these, a BIG time saver!

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/meguiars-pad-washer-wpw.html

Just a little teaser!

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/tornador-car-cleaning-gun.html

Hope I've helped, need any more help or have any questions just ask.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

The DA Power System really is a great little tool, but if you're looking to get seriously into detailing (even if just for you own vehicles) then a full DA buffer is the way to go. That's especially true if, like you said, the drill you have is on the low of the recommended specs and you're working on a very large vehicle.

You mention having damaged paint in the past with a buffer, but a DA is an extremely safe tool for even the most novice of novices to learn. While some will tell you that it's impossible to damage your paint with a DA, the reality is that while it actually is possible, it is extremely difficult to do so. You really have to try and mess something up, and even then odds are you won't. It's not like a rotary where just one moment of inattention can bite you, and bite you hard.

Here's the real big difference between the two, in a nutshell: use a rotary wrong and it will damage the paint or trim in an instant. Use a DA wrong and you just don't get the results you were looking for. Technique is critically important with both tools, but bad technique with a rotary can be expensive, while bad technique with a DA is just a source of frustration until you figure out what you were doing wrong. If you haven't yet read through this article on using the DA, you should.

[Dtro176]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

Thanks for all the info guys. Mike that article was just the thing I was looking for! Looks like the dual,action polisher is the way for me to go. Now I have to wait until,the weather is warmer to start my work. I'm in the Northeast. Boy was it cold this week!

[The Guz]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

Thanks for all the info guys. Mike that article was just the thing I was looking for! Looks like the dual,action polisher is the way for me to go. Now I have to wait until,the weather is warmer to start my work. I'm in the Northeast. Boy was it cold this week!

Good decision. A DA polisher is worth the money. If you go with the meguiar's one or the porter cable I would go with 5.5" pads and the proper backing plate. I like using the lake country flat pads.

This is what I use with my porter cable 7424xp.

Pads (orange for compounding, white for polishing and black for wax).

http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html

This is the backing plate I use

http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html

Of course this brush to clean the pads while you are working.

http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html

[h_bomm]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

Hey Guz, how stiff are the bristles on that brush? I got a brush from a local parts store and I think it's for wool pads.mit just gouged a hole in one of my yellow pads so I've just been using a terry cloth towel for cleaning but I think a brush would be better

[The Guz]

Re: Dual action polisher or DA power system

Hey Guz, how stiff are the bristles on that brush? I got a brush from a local parts store and I think it's for wool pads.mit just gouged a hole in one of my yellow pads so I've just been using a terry cloth towel for cleaning but I think a brush would be better

It's made for foam pads and it is not stiff to the point where it will destroy your pads. I use it all the time to clean my foam pads and my MF pads when I don't feel like turning on the air compressor when working on a small area.

Here is the meg's one which is the same

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-pad-brush.html