Power tool or elbow grease
 

Just a quick question, I have just ordered me a load of stuff from Ploished Bliss. Thinking of getting a power polisher, are they worth it and and suggestions on make/ costs and where to get one from?

Thanks very much for the order - it's on it's way already. Machine polishers are well worth the money, but you need to be careful what you choose. I have written a detailed guide to polishing that contains lots of information on the polisher I would recommend - the Porter Cable 7424. This dual action unit is safe for novices and yet has the power to correct even serious paint defects. Cheap polishers (often cordless) often do more damage than good, and the same can be said of professional rotary polishers - in the wrong hands these can easily damage paintwork. Grab a cuppa and have a read of the following link...

How to polish your paint safely by hand or machine

Had a look at on of the machines you reccomend earlie, looks fantastic, but out of my budget. Was thinging more around the tonne mark if you can advise on a safe alternative.
Also considering a air powered one as I have a compressor.

Will read your guide in lunch tomorrow.......

The basic 7424 unit is on sale for $129 at the moment - that's only £80 plus shipping. All you then need is a transformer, which will cost about £40, and some starter pads, which will be another £15. That's not much above your budget - I can't think of a decent alternative to the Porter Cable. If needs be, I'd save up a bit more for one rather than buy something else for less that doesn't work as well. I lashed £100 on the Meguiars Cordless Buffer early last year and ended up wishing I hadn't - I bought the PC a few months later and I haven't looked back. :)

Y'know, it always restores faith to see someone in the business bigging up a product that they don't (and can't) sell. Tends to suggest that the person is not just selling things :D

Shame that there's no decent alternative - is there anything else in the "professional" marketplace worth looking at?

Not in the dual action (ie randon orbital category) market. I have heard of a few folks modifying Bosch sanders and the like, but to be honest, the PC is such a good tool and so well supported in terms of accessories in my eyes there is no alternative. In the rotary market there is more choice, and Makita and Metabo units are good. However, rotary polishing is not for novices - I'm pretty skilled with the PC but there's no way I'm ready for rotary practice yet!

Ditto :(

Ok looks like I will be going for the PC, where is the best place to get one from? And what would be the best deal.
When you say transformer, do you mean the type used by most builders that steps down fron 240V to 110V?

Yes, same transformer (110V, 700Va). Best place to buy is from Autopia...

www.autopia-carcare.com

They have a special offer on the basic 7424 unit at the moment, only $129 plus shipping. The SFZ pad kits are ok, but in my opinion Lake Country pads perform better and last longer. If you want to buy everything in one go and save money get the SFX pad kit from Autopia - if you want better quality and are prepared to pay out a bit more I can supply all the pads and backing plates you'll need. :)

Another vote here for the PC, brought mine about 6 weeks ago, it's a superb tool.

I had a practise on my transit first, found it so easy that I then went to town on my black Legacy with these results using a mixture of Meguiars/P21S/Klasse.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~swel...cy%20Megs1.jpg
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~swel...cy%20Megs2.jpg

Well just bit the bullet and ordered a Sonus SFX Polisher Kit. Just got to find ne a transformer now...................... So if I can get hold of a builders one I take it i just need to fit a yellow 3 pin plug to it?
Then I can put some new like in the old girls body, lol
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...d/DSC00134.jpg

I could get a group buy going on 3Kva Transformers circa £40

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/110v-3-3Kva-LI...QQcmdZViewItem

Is this what we need

Yes to both questions - yellow 110V plus and that's the type of transformer you need. :)

Do they come with the right plugs for the transformer ?

No, you need to buy a 110V yellow plug (costs £2) and cut the US plug off and refit the yellow one.

I would be interested in a group buy if the price was right!

Thanks

http://www.maxtool.co.uk/index/porte.../polishers.asp

Available in the UK!!!

A group buy on machine polishers is needed :D

I would buy one if I was not selling the scooby

Not true - look at the site properly, it's a US company masquerading as a UK company (see contact details and phone number) - they are well known for this on the detailing forums. If you order from them they are infavourable in terms of import duty, which adds a sting in the tail to the purchase. Much better going to Autopia...

No mention of import duty to be paid !!

I ordered mine yesterday from Autopia, Sonus SFX Polisher Kit (250.99USD= £147.46 inc postage), had email this morning to say it was on the way. Then found this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/240v-110v-step...QQcmdZViewItem
Hope the weather is good next weeked.........

Don't buy the transformer off eBay, it's no where near man enough for the job.
"consoles and other requiring less than 45 watts.please check your wattage requirements before buying ......watts= volts x amps"
You need nearer 500 watts.

That's the stinger - on the box it will say contents worth whatever the PC cost you plus shipping. Mr Parcelforce will take one look and slap you with duty as all parcels over £35 are charged unless marked as gifts. With Autopia, they do it a bit differently, and you end up not having to pay. :)

Cheers for the info on that one!!!!!!

I purchased an item for a friend a few months from Hong Kong back paid the money got it delivered everyone happy.... then after another couple of weeks a bill from customs appeared for import duty... some export companys may not say that you get charged it but they don't charge it customs do ;) I will add it was expected and it was labelled warranty replacment so that old chesnut never worked :rolleyes:


Phil they will hear you in a minute GB :D sounds interesting !!

GB on polishers as well....... :Suspiciou no no I don't need one :eek: :wonder:

Simon :thumb:

I have sent an E-mail to ask whether Import Duty will need to be paid, and to give me a total price delivered to a UK address.

I would defo be interested in Group Buy :D

Well, had a reply from Maxtool. $70 to ship to UK. They didnt really answer the Ques about the Import duty though.

Just said it will be $70 to ship to the UK using Fed Ex.

Any suggestions on Power converter?

Looks to be a great piece of kit...

Mick :D