Firstly can I apoligise if this topic has been disscussed before, I had a browse but couldn't find much.
Any imformation would good as I'm considering buying a dual action machine on advice previously given to me as the rotary machines are ah bit more of a handfull and you need to be careful so as not to burn the paintwork.

Do any of the forum members use such machines, which is best and at what cost etc... Madmac

I have a Meguier g220 DA with pads and backing plates about £200

Look at www.cleanyourcar.co.uk or www.polishedbliss.co.uk

They have starter kits, cheaper models to look for are DAS 6 or silverline

I have just bought a 'how to use your...' DVD to see how my technique is compared to a teaching pro on the video

You also need to look at different pads, light cut, polishing, finishing aswell as proper machine polishing polishes Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Last edited by npinks on 1st Feb 2011 6:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I looked into these a few years ago but wasn't sure so just bought a cheap one. It was cheap for a reason, it was crap. I threw it out in the last shed tidy up.

Decent ones aint cheap but it's one of those things I think you get what you pay for.

I've not bothered in the end as to be honest, the idea scares me . I used to have nightmares of picking up the angle grinder by mistake.  For a free country, it does seem pretty expensive these days.

I have seen cheap one, but the reviews of the ones sold by the links above have been tried and tested, I know Polished bliss seam to get hands on with all products sold, So I would expect them to stand by what they sell

Ring them and have a chat, advice a plenty will be given  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Kestral DAS 6 = Brilliant. Look out for offers with the velcro backing pads + polish, glaze and seal.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/ke...cat10.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-ma...at_71.html

....and the paint hardness on yer freely is Intermediate.

PolishedBliss are the guys you need to speak to, they are very profesional. I bought the Blackfire Wet Diamond over Ice package, and it is amazing.

I have a friend who is a “detailer” and he is VERY wary of recommending machine polishers to anyone. Even on their lowest speed they are still way faster than your hand, so if any dirt or grit gets in between the pad and car, you wont notice until its already too late. If you polish it by hand, it will take a while, but you may not scratch your paintwork nearly as much.

Thats just his/my opinion tho.

you are right in what you say when machine polishing, you have to make sure the edge of the backing plate, or even the rotating pad doesn't edge onto a plastic trim of make contact with the paintwork, but its not something you should rush at doing, taking your time and be carefull

i tape up all edges, gaps etc to help prevent the pad from dragging in dirt, and the more smaller parts are done by hand

 Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I have the DAS6 from Cleanyourcar, I haven't used it on the Freelie yet but it did a great job on my MX5, as Pinky says, take your time, prep carefully, I always use a clay bar before putting the polisher near the paint.
Just waiting for the weather to pick up so I can give the Freelie a going over, although it may take a bit longer than my MX5

waiting and buying stuff too until the weather gets better and my fl2 gets a good machine polish or correction

seriously thinking of going on a course for a rotary polisher, as they are alot quicker, but alot more risk Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I wondered about getting hold of some scrap panels and testing with that, the rotary does seem a better way to go, but I don't want to wreck my paint... maybe I could practice on Mrs B's Mini?

scrap pannels are a great way of praticing on, bit of a scuff up with a brillo pad and then practice away

not that i have tried that myself, though i do have a paint thinkness gauge to check paint and lacquer depth, before i start correcting Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Thanks for the replys guys will look at some of the web links at the weekend when I have a little more time.

it's a landrover it's suppose to be dirty !!!!  TO DARE IS TO DO

Mine is, just underneither that mud us a good layer of wax protecting the paintwork  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Thanks again for advice and web site links given, I've now got a meguairs g220 purchased for £170 and it comes with three 7"pads from WaxyClean.co.uk
Great service placed my order on Sunday night received the goods this morning around 10am

All I need now is for some decent weather to give it a go......