evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Hi all!

I have been looking at detailing equipment on e-bay and have come across a few basic starter kits with mopheads that attach to an angle grinder and cutting compound that are about £15 IIRC

I know you usually get what you pay for, but I cant afford to spend hundreds of pounds and i will be having a practice on my mothers black KA first, which needs some serious tarting up

Can anyone give me some advice on what i am looking for exactly and if the cheap kits will do the basic job. I personally cant see why it wouldnt do the trick

I would post a link, but im in work and e-bay is blocked

Thanks in advance,
Ian

wrx,sti

iTrader: (2)

I can't see why It shouldn't work

ryan33hks

iTrader: (2)

For 15 quid its worth a gander

mr_D

iTrader: (12)

the first problem you will have is speed settings. and the quality of the mop heads, an angle grider will work but it depends on what angle grinder you got, as it may not last with constant use like that. different heads give different finishes and you have to make sure your using good heads or you could completely ruin what you dont want to

have you used one before??

if you need any help or advice or you need any compounds or anything. then i can get mequires cheaper than anywhere else, even the cutting compunds! which is what you will need.

RED2

to be honest i can't see you getting a lot for £15.00 inc the bits

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Cant find what i was looking for for £15 anyway now! It was just a cutting compound and 2 mop heads, it was a little while ago i saw it.

Mr D, i havn't used one before so i am not really sure what i am looking for to be honest. How much would i be looking at for the Maguires compound and heads to fit an angle grinder? I see what your saying about speed etc, i guess i could end up quickly burning the paint. What do you think, is it worth having a go myself if i take my time and work slowly.
It isn't the scoob after all

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

Just be very careful Ian, its very easy to take off the paint on an edge.

I'd practice on an old panel first until you get the feel of it.

matscooby

iTrader: (3)

I have the Halfords polishing machine with variable speed and to be honest its not to bad for a starter kit.

My car came up quite well when I polished mine, okay it needs doing again but acouple of hours work when I did it and hey presto it looks new again.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Just a word of caution - in my time I have worked in an accident repair centre and it was not uncommon for us to see cars where the paintwork had be 'burnt' by overjudicious use of cutting compound and mopheads.

A couple of the painters even did it themselves which could either mean a complete new spray job or repainting a panel and that was using professional equipment and cutting compound.

Just be careful and make sure you get good quality equipment and cutting compound.

MisterMelon

iTrader: (3)

If I was you mate, when you can get onto ebay have a look at the 'Silverline Polisher' (the one with the blue body) they are around the 30-40 mark. A mate of mine has been using it for the last year and half to two years, cracking value for money. He started out with this and has probably done about 80 cars with this and its still going. Has variable speed and i think its 180mm pad size.

Im told its quite easy to make things worse using this method without good practice, I know meguiars now sell their own, I think its quite expensive but it has some fancy dual action that prevents you from making things worse. (Dont know a great deal about this though). Any quetions mate I could put you in touch with him, he's also selling alot of cleanin products and has some top advice.

Ryan.

Scudy23

iTrader: (2)

As stated mate you get what you pay for and to run with an angle grinder, your asking for trouble. If you are going with the rotary route then the Silverline would be a cheap option due to the soft start and variable speeds ranging from 600rpm to 3000rpm, cant remember of the top of my head but it's the same as the makita.

Here > Silverline Car Van Boat Polisher / Sander / Buffer 240v on eBay, also, Rotary Tools, Power Tools, Business, Office Industrial (end time 10-Jun-09 15:33:01 BST)

If not used properly be it a makita or silverline, you can still burn through...... so i would suggest trying it out on a scrap panel first, just to get the hang of breaking the polishes down, using different speeds, different types of polish etc....... get a tidy backing plate too, another case of you get what you pay for.

As for pads the 3M ones are good which you can get from carter consumables,they sell polishes too but shop round.

Other than that there is the Porter Cable or Megs G220 but your looking at £100+, pc will need a step down box to 110v and the G220 is 240v, alot safer but can still burn paint.

Hope this helps.

mr_D

iTrader: (12)

well i can get all sorts of mequires if anyone wants anything and i wont be beaten. like others have said its more a case of you get what you pay for.

i will supply prices via pm to anyone who wants anything, or even just queries.

also i am availiable via email

ryan.devine-davies@uk.zurich.com or mr_D@tcc-uk.net

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice lads, it seems i would have to spend a little more money than expected and it could be risky without any experience. Maybe i will save up or just get my hands on an old panel, get some heads and compound and have a practice to see if using an angle grinder would be just too much.

Mr D, are you able to PM me a price for a mop head that will attach to a grinder and a cutting compound if possible please. Not sure if heads are available for an angle grinder, but worth asking

Scudy23

iTrader: (2)

You may get away with using Megs #80, with subaru paint being soft.

mervil

iTrader: (5)

Ian, do you want to borrow my Silverline polisher?? I can bring it tonight if so You can get the feel of it

The Stitcher

iTrader: (12)

is that the polisher that turns black cars to white wonder what colour Ian's would turn out

mervil

iTrader: (5)

The one and the same It'll be a surprise colour!!

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Cheers merv, didnt catch the reply until it was too late though

I may take you up on that at some point though, just looking into getting some compound from Mr D

Thanks again

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

HHHmmm, thats a thought, maybe mine would be a dark shade of grey

mervil

iTrader: (5)

No worries Ian, give me a shout when you want it and I'll meet you