What else to buy for car?

Monkeyboxers · 02-19-2019, 04:43 PM

I've had the car for nearly 3 years and it's been a while since I've purchased something for my car. I've been contemplating whether I should buy a rotatory DA, but looking at my car there isn't much swirls (Alpine white) as I've always used the two bucket method and taking care of it well. So, would that $400 (AUD) be worth it, since I've survived without it for 3 years and probably use it every 6 months?

Maybe invest that $400 to get my rims repairs from that gutter scratches, but that'll probably come back within 1 year or so!

John in VA · 02-19-2019, 10:07 PM

True - paint defects are more difficult to see on white, but they are probably there. For a novice, a DA/random orbital machine is a safer bet than a rotary one, and cheaper. Leaves you some $$ to get the wheels repaired!
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-polisher.html

Monkeyboxers · 02-19-2019, 10:49 PM

Sorry, typo. I meant DA orbital machine. Is having a DA orbital a luxury item instead of must have item? Hmmmm...

Billfitz · 02-20-2019, 07:45 AM

For serious paint correction you need a rotary and a DA. DAs aren't aggressive enough for heavy cutting to remove spider webbing, while a rotary leaves swirl marks with light cutting and polishing. If you have a light color spider webbing isn't all that visible, so a DA using only light cut compound and polish will do.

Skyhigh · 02-20-2019, 04:32 PM

If you only hand-washed your car and took care of it, there is absolutely no need to rub a layer of clear-coat down just for the sake of it! If you do have specific minor scratches - polish out locally.

I bought my white Audi used and it had some swirls (not too many, but just enough). I spent 14 hours straight polishing it all with a DA orbital polisher achieving let's say 80% success, given that I was a rookie. This was the moment I decided to never ever put the car again through a machine wash.

Monkeyboxers · 02-20-2019, 05:02 PM

Yeah, that's what I mean. I used the scratch correction by hand and it does a great job. So , not sure if a DA is a good investment.

So anything else I should invest in my garage? or just save so money...

Skyhigh · 02-20-2019, 07:11 PM

Don't know your garage but I always find where to spend some bucks around the garage

But yes, I would say buying a polisher in your case would be money wasted. Get some power-washer accessories

It took me a while before I ran out of Kärcher ideas

Monkeyboxers · 02-21-2019, 09:10 PM

What type of accessories? I've got a Karcher K2 with a foam gun and it's been serving me well, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. I've read elsewhere you have a K7 but I don't think I'll be investing in that (AUD$960).

Skyhigh · 02-21-2019, 09:39 PM

K7 is an overkill if you are to use it for washing the car only. The balanced choice for that application is typically K4/K5. (K2 is quite underpowered).

But this aside, there are a bunch of useful accessories. My favourite ones related to car-washing are:
- the short, vario power jet nozzle VP 145 S / VP 160 S
- undercarriage washer 2.642-561.0

The latter is I believe discontinued... I was lucky to find it discounted in a shop clearing their stock about an year ago. Fantastic for the winter! Includes a bottle of undercarriage wax and a waxing nozzle as well.

The foam cannon FJ 6 does a decent job, but as others, I have found that aftermarket cannons, such as the MATCC foam cannon, are superior. Have and use both.

Monkeyboxers · 02-21-2019, 10:00 PM

So, I've read that pressure of the washer doesn't play that much of importance. As long as there's foam and it sticks it's ok. Hence petrol ones with "shaving cream foams" are for looks. Electric ones still does the same job; loosing the dirt and etc.

As for the MATCC foam cannon, we don't have that available in Australia. I've been using Autobrite premium (https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/a...-k-series.html).

Skyhigh · 02-22-2019, 01:41 AM

Pressure is not so important for the foam, but for getting rid of the dirt thereafter. What doesn't come off under pressure will have to be rubbed manually... hence increased risk of scratches.
Too much pressure is not good either (I still think this is how I bent my door, although it sounds unbelievable).

vanbmw · 03-07-2019, 01:14 PM

My porter cable random orbital polisher has been a great purchase. 12 years old and still going strong. I use it every 6 months on my cars. The results are great and it really is easy to use. There are new more advanced choices but mine works great. I would highly recommend spending he money on a good polishing set up. Even with a white car you will be really pleased with the look and finish you will get.

02-19-2019, 04:43 PM	#1
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	What else to buy for car? I've had the car for nearly 3 years and it's been a while since I've purchased something for my car. I've been contemplating whether I should buy a rotatory DA, but looking at my car there isn't much swirls (Alpine white) as I've always used the two bucket method and taking care of it well. So, would that $400 (AUD) be worth it, since I've survived without it for 3 years and probably use it every 6 months? Maybe invest that $400 to get my rims repairs from that gutter scratches, but that'll probably come back within 1 year or so!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-19-2019, 10:07 PM	#2
John in VA Colonel 983 Rep 2,193 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	True - paint defects are more difficult to see on white, but they are probably there. For a novice, a DA/random orbital machine is a safer bet than a rotary one, and cheaper. Leaves you some $$ to get the wheels repaired! https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-polisher.html __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2019, 10:49 PM	#3
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Sorry, typo. I meant DA orbital machine. Is having a DA orbital a luxury item instead of must have item? Hmmmm...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2019, 07:45 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8221 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	For serious paint correction you need a rotary and a DA. DAs aren't aggressive enough for heavy cutting to remove spider webbing, while a rotary leaves swirl marks with light cutting and polishing. If you have a light color spider webbing isn't all that visible, so a DA using only light cut compound and polish will do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2019, 04:32 PM	#5
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1879 Rep 3,860 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	If you only hand-washed your car and took care of it, there is absolutely no need to rub a layer of clear-coat down just for the sake of it! If you do have specific minor scratches - polish out locally. I bought my white Audi used and it had some swirls (not too many, but just enough). I spent 14 hours straight polishing it all with a DA orbital polisher achieving let's say 80% success, given that I was a rookie. This was the moment I decided to never ever put the car again through a machine wash. __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2019, 05:02 PM	#6
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Yeah, that's what I mean. I used the scratch correction by hand and it does a great job. So , not sure if a DA is a good investment. So anything else I should invest in my garage? or just save so money...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2019, 07:11 PM	#7
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1879 Rep 3,860 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Don't know your garage but I always find where to spend some bucks around the garage But yes, I would say buying a polisher in your case would be money wasted. Get some power-washer accessories It took me a while before I ran out of Kärcher ideas __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 09:10 PM	#8
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	What type of accessories? I've got a Karcher K2 with a foam gun and it's been serving me well, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. I've read elsewhere you have a K7 but I don't think I'll be investing in that (AUD$960).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 09:39 PM	#9
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1879 Rep 3,860 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	K7 is an overkill if you are to use it for washing the car only. The balanced choice for that application is typically K4/K5. (K2 is quite underpowered). But this aside, there are a bunch of useful accessories. My favourite ones related to car-washing are: - the short, vario power jet nozzle VP 145 S / VP 160 S - undercarriage washer 2.642-561.0 The latter is I believe discontinued... I was lucky to find it discounted in a shop clearing their stock about an year ago. Fantastic for the winter! Includes a bottle of undercarriage wax and a waxing nozzle as well. The foam cannon FJ 6 does a decent job, but as others, I have found that aftermarket cannons, such as the MATCC foam cannon, are superior. Have and use both. __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-21-2019, 10:00 PM	#10
Monkeyboxers Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 236 Posts Drives: '21 X3 30i G01 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	So, I've read that pressure of the washer doesn't play that much of importance. As long as there's foam and it sticks it's ok. Hence petrol ones with "shaving cream foams" are for looks. Electric ones still does the same job; loosing the dirt and etc. As for the MATCC foam cannon, we don't have that available in Australia. I've been using Autobrite premium (https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/a...-k-series.html).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2019, 01:41 AM	#11
Skyhigh Brigadier General 1879 Rep 3,860 Posts Drives: BMW F36 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Pressure is not so important for the foam, but for getting rid of the dirt thereafter. What doesn't come off under pressure will have to be rubbed manually... hence increased risk of scratches. Too much pressure is not good either (I still think this is how I bent my door, although it sounds unbelievable). __________________ "Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2019, 01:14 PM	#12
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	My porter cable random orbital polisher has been a great purchase. 12 years old and still going strong. I use it every 6 months on my cars. The results are great and it really is easy to use. There are new more advanced choices but mine works great. I would highly recommend spending he money on a good polishing set up. Even with a white car you will be really pleased with the look and finish you will get.
	Appreciate 0 Quote