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      06-05-2019, 11:25 AM   #1
whatevs
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DA Polishing Machine or Hand

Ive been waxing my cars manually, and was thinking about getting a DA machine. Is it safe to use these for waxing? or will it cause more damage than good? Also, what brand would you guys suggest?
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      06-05-2019, 11:41 AM   #2
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I've never used a machine for waxing, seems like overkill
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      06-05-2019, 11:48 AM   #3
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I don't use wax. I do use a sealer. I use one of these to apply it and then buff it:

https://www.amazon.com/DECKER-WP900-...10935581&psc=1

It's all you need for the job. A full on DA is much more than you need, though if you already have one you could use it.
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      06-05-2019, 12:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
Ive been waxing my cars manually, and was thinking about getting a DA machine. Is it safe to use these for waxing? or will it cause more damage than good? Also, what brand would you guys suggest?
quick way to apply the wax. I use the 3" Griot's Garage DA for this task. Never use it to remove the wax. Always do it by hand.
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      06-06-2019, 10:22 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
Ive been waxing my cars manually, and was thinking about getting a DA machine. Is it safe to use these for waxing? or will it cause more damage than good? Also, what brand would you guys suggest?
As long as you use finishing pads on the DA, and not cutting or polishing pads, you should have no problems.

You may also want to consider a SiO2 sealant instead such as CarPro Reload.
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      06-06-2019, 12:44 PM   #6
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What kind of pads do you use to apply? Oshnoo is suggesting not to use polishing or cutting pads. Does the blue one that comes with the machine good? Would be very helpful if you could share the link for any replacement bonnet/pads.
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      06-06-2019, 01:45 PM   #7
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What kind of pads do you use to apply? Oshnoo is suggesting not to use polishing or cutting pads. Does the blue one that comes with the machine good? Would be very helpful if you could share the link for any replacement bonnet/pads.
I use finishing pads from Chemical Guys such as:

Chemical Guys BUFLC_105_6 Lake Country Finishing Pad, Black (6.5 Inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042H8TV4..._c8v-Cb308W6HN
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      06-06-2019, 03:27 PM   #8
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I've got a Porter Cable 6.5" DA polisher for pretty much all wax and sometimes polish. I use a specific wax pad with the PC for wax, and a polishing pad for polish.

It'll cut your hand wax time down to an easy 15 minutes versus an hour by hand. The biggest plus is an even, consistent coating of wax.

Once done, I park the car in the sun for an hour to evap all the moisture then microfiber tower to remove. Comes off like talcum powder that way.

Last edited by exE36M3; 06-12-2019 at 08:01 AM..
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      06-06-2019, 03:46 PM   #9
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I brought a small DA polisher a few years ago. Like you, I was unsure and decided to go with a machine that uses a 4"/100mm pad in the search for a 'one machine does all' option.......
Best detailing tool I have brought! Once you buy one, you'll wish you brought one sooner.
I use with chemical guys 'hex-logic' pads of varying grades, depending on how much 'cut' I am looking for with the product I am using.
For wax application, you would use a zero cut pad. I personally, would recommend using a glaze and sealer, rather than a wax, but it's really personal preference.
I am at the point of buying a larger 150mm/6" machine purely for speed.
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      06-06-2019, 05:38 PM   #10
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If you want faster cutting for paint correction a rotary is better. I use rotary with 400 grade compound, DA for 1000 and higher grades for minimum swirling.
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      06-07-2019, 12:21 PM   #11
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Thank You everyone for your help! I ordered a basic polisher to begin with! Hoping it goes well.
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      06-12-2019, 07:21 AM   #12
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Thank You everyone for your help! I ordered a basic polisher to begin with! Hoping it goes well.
Let us know how it goes when you try it out.
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      06-13-2019, 08:03 PM   #13
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Let us know how it goes when you try it out.
Will do!!
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      06-16-2019, 03:00 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbanks21 View Post
I've never used a machine for waxing, seems like overkill
wtf
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      06-16-2019, 04:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjd598 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbanks21 View Post
I've never used a machine for waxing, seems like overkill
wtf
Maybe cause I rarely use wax? Dunno
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      06-16-2019, 04:44 PM   #16
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I don't wax, I use Jescar Power Lock. It goes on much easier with a buffer than by hand. The buffer doesn't work much easier wiping it down than by hand, though. I use it for wipe down because I have it.
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      06-24-2019, 11:13 AM   #17
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Wanted to post an update - I used my Black and Decker polisher at last yesterday, and it was pretty useful! I dont know if the results are any different, but it definitely cut down the effort and time by a lot!! Thank You everyone for all your inputs and suggestions!
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      06-25-2019, 10:48 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I don't wax, I use Jescar Power Lock. It goes on much easier with a buffer than by hand. The buffer doesn't work much easier wiping it down than by hand, though. I use it for wipe down because I have it.
How often do you seal the vehicle? Also curious as to what your opinion is on clay bar. My vehicle is a little over 4 years old.
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      06-25-2019, 11:05 AM   #19
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I do it in the spring, after doing a polish, and in the fall, for additional protection against winter road crud. I've never used a clay bar, there's no need when I do a full polish with a low cut compound in the spring. As part of that spring detailing I fill any scratches and chips that accumulated over the previous year.
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      06-25-2019, 11:39 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I do it in the spring, after doing a polish, and in the fall, for additional protection against winter road crud. I've never used a clay bar, there's no need when I do a full polish with a low cut compound in the spring. As part of that spring detailing I fill any scratches and chips that accumulated over the previous year.
Thank you.
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