Hi,

I've got an cheap single speed Black and Decker random orbital buffer that I don't want to use on my MINI.

Instead, I'd like to get a PC or Ultimate Detailing Machine, but I don't know where to get the best price or what pads to get to start. I have heard that I need a hook and loop backing plate. My 06 CR/W's paint is in decent shape, so I won't need to do much correction at the beginning.

So I guess I'd like to know:
1) what should I get at the beginning as a starter kit? What size of hook and loop plate, what size pads, what type(s) should I get to start?

2) where can I get the best price on this? Should I buy a bundle, or get the items individually?

Thanks!

 

I'd like to see a group buy on this! i would definitely get in on a combo.

i'd like:

PC
Amigo
Hydro
Finish
Swirl
and a 6 1/2" pad kit

for $235?

 

Your prayers have been answered ....
http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...071-2491365464

$229.95 PC Buffer, Pads, and polishes bundle.

I just got mine yesterday .... Thanks to Nick and Heather

 

dang, you have to pray to get these things now?

 

All hail the detailing gods! (Someone hook me up w/ a bow down smilely here.)

 

lol

 

He said he wanted it for $235. That price is $5.05 too low. Bummer for him.

Someone needs to buy the buffer from Griot's Garage. I want to know if that top handle is a big improvement.

 

Setting aside the Detailer's Paradise bundle for a moment (let's say I've decided I want the UDM instead of the PC), what is a good set of starter pads?

 

you think DP will let me swap cut for Hydro?

 

This is something I invented that will enhance the feel "road feel" or "buffing feel??" or your PC. It will work on any Porter Cable PC.

Consider it a MOD Kit for the PC. Consists of 3 parts.

1.) OneGrip which makes for a night and day difference when polishing
2.) PCGuard protects your paint and allows you to get into really tight areas without harming your paint
3.) Housing Bolts firm up the feel of your PC

http://www.showcardetailing.com/esho...p?id=155&bc=no

Here's a first timer from Motoring Underground using his new SCD modded PC at my clinic last weekend.

 

And just for Heather

Mark

 

I knew someone would come through.

 

OG, Where on the PC in the picture is the PC Guard? Is it that black ring around the yellow part above the pad?

 

Yep, you should be able to make out the word GUARD (PC is much smaller).

Here is another picture.

 

Didn't get any help here with respect to pad selection, but here's what I've ordered from AutoGeek.

Ultimate Detailing Machine (like PC but with somewhat more power and a hook and loop backing plate, a carrying bag and 4 orange pads )

A set of 2 white plus 2 orange pads.

A set of 3 CCS blue pads

A set of 3 CCS gray pads

Pinnacle XMT Cleaner and Conditioner kit (1 bottle of each)

I'm also going to try the DP rinseless 4 in 1 car wash.

For polishes, I plan to go with Meguiars 83 (as needed), 80 and with 7 as a glaze, to be topped off with NXT 2.0 which I got on sale. I'll try to keep the wax going with Hydro, of which I have a few bottles from the turkey day sale.

From what I've read, this should do the trick nicely. I'm going with Meguiars because of economy, though I understand it may take a little while longer to break down the polishes than some of the formulations designed specificaly for RO buffers (since most of the Megs stuff can be used with rotary or RO machines).

 

Congrats on your new polishing system. I will have to caution you like I do to others that when you "break" a system, you're going to have to rely on yourself for getting the best results. But you seem to be much further along than many people around here, so you should be fine.

Good luck and post your findings.

Richard

 

Thanks, Richard. I've spend a few hours reading about various polishing systems on Autopia, here, and on various other car enthusiast sites.

With respect to machines, the trend seems to be toward a RO called the Flex. People are dumping their PCs and UDMs left and right for the Flex, but it's upwards of 250, and even with my sliding scale of affordability, I can't justify that at the moment. I wonder if anyone here has one?

It would be nice if it would ever get above 40 degrees here in Chicago. Winter really cramps my style with detailing. I'm lucky if I can keep my car reasonably clean in Dec/Jan/Feb, much less fully detailed.

 

The Flex is just like any other "latest toy" that comes to the detailing world. There are quite a few people that love it--both professionals and newbies. Cyclos are also very good tools, but at a higher cost than the Flex, you don't hear too many people talking about them either.

When I refer to a system, I'm referring to the fact that you are using non Meguiar's pads with their polishes which may or may not give you the results you seek. M83 isn't a fun polish to work with, especially in colder climates. It tends to get gummy as you polish unlike M80.

I hate the CCS pads, but you'll find people who love them as well. For me, any improvement on technology that doesn't result in better polishing is just a gimmick.

MINI paint is very easy to polish and Prima Swirl works much better IMO than using the 80/7/NXT route. Swirl/Amigo/Epic or just Swirl/Epic will result in an outstanding shine. Check out this CR bonnet from a recent clinic. The shine and depth is gorgeous even though the owner didn't polish it out flawlessly with his PC. Was just clayed and Epic'd, You don't need a Flex to get results like this.

 

Very nice results on the CR. I see what you're saying about not going with the full system (pads plus polishes). Quite frankly, I didn't get the CCS pads because of the gimmickry of the indentations - I got them because I wanted 5.5" pads (not larger) to avoid bogging-down and vibration, and I thought they were a good value.

BTW, do any of your PC add-ons work on the UDM too?

 

As long as you use pads 6inches or smaller on the UDM, you'll be fine.

The OneGrip works fine with the UDM. The PC Guard is on the short side, although it fits, the bell portion is larger on the UDM, but I'm in the process of making UDM Guards. I've been waiting for my next production batch before I launched them. I can't remember if the housing bolts fit or not, or whether they were even necessary. Will have to check my UDM at the shop tomorrow.

Richard