Ok folks, I'm debating whether to purchase a PC. Firstly, I have a 96 Chevy Cavalier that my wife intends to keep till it falls apart. Condition is excellent other than light swirl marks(argh auto car wash), some scratches, and dings. Secondly, we will be picking up the new 09 Clubman in a month, which I intend to keep in top form. Thirdly, my father in law has an Impala SS that has gone to crap. It's undriveable right now but I really want to restore the exterior. So here's the questions;

1. I know that the PC will take care of swirl marks, some scratches(what kind of scratches won't PC take care of?) and oxidation. However, what about chips? Not through the body itself, but one where the surrounding paint is chipping off. Is it basically sanding smooth(does the PC do this?), priming, applying new paint, clear coat and PC-ing?

2. There's rust on the Impala, not much but around the edges. I've seen video clips on how to do this and would like to attempt. Does the PC help with this?

3. How much will a PC be used for the new car? I intend to do rewaxing every 4-6 months. Does the PC really speed things up AND increase shine?

4. Is the PC at detailer's paradise the best option? I see cheaper ones everywhere else but everyone here seems to go with that.

I'm basically debating whether it will be a worthwhile purchase and what things can it do?

 

First comment I have to make, DON'T use a PC for any sanding, period. The tool has a purpose, and sanding is not one of them. You risk getting grit in the machine that can later come loose and grind your paint, when the tool is used for it's intended purpose, polishing, buffing.

Your new MINI will look better if you use a PC on it, the older ones will look close to new if you use one on them.

This is what a PC did to a truck that had never been waxed, and barely washed at 10 years old.


Mark

 

A PC can polish out these kinds of scratches


Scratches caused by a flying license plate on the freeway


Scratches caused by someone brushing against it


And more




A PC won't fix scratches like this


or this


or clear coat failure like this


A PC is an excellent maintenance tool and when you don't have the skills to operate a rotary buffer, the PC is a safe alternative that can do most of the work, but not all.

It's not very good at removing sanding marks from paint. For compounding where you buff with a wool pad and buffing compound, a PC isn't the best tool for this, so asking whether you can use the PC after painting--results will vary but most likely you won't be happy with the results.

re: How useful is a PC for a new car?
Hmmm. Here is a new car.


Here is another new car


Another new car


A PC can make the paint look better like in this 50/50 side by side shot


re: Detailers Paradise PC
Well I can give you an even more expensive option from my store.
http://www.showcardetailing.com/esho...exd.asp?id=115

It's the only modded PC available made for people who polish paint. I've also got a DVD that I made showing you how to use it and detail cars.
http://www.showcardetailing.com/esho...sp?id=62&bc=no

If you're going to spend money on a machine polisher, regardless of where you buy the machine, once it's properly configured the price isn't all that significant. You will need a velcro backing plate and a selection of foam pads to begin with.

A full kit of polish, useful pads, and polisher is a little less than $400 including shipping.

Richard

 

or you can just buy the OG5000 from showcardetailing.com

 

Having polished and waxed two cars on Saturday, I can tell you that I'll be buying a PC in the near future. The expense is well worth the difference in effort required and the difference in finish obtained.

 

Plus it is "Green" runs on Red Bull.

 

Bit the bullet and purchased the PC, along with Prima stuff(Swirl, Cut, Amigo, Epic and BG). Thanks to Richard at SCD for helping me out and my apologies for calling you so early(thought you were in Denver, CO and only an hour behind) :X I'm actually more excited about the DVD-since I barely know what to do with the tool. Bad news for Richard is, I'm probably gonna bug him with insane number of detailing questions from now on. :P

 

Haha you should have told me you were IzzyG, lol. Yeah I think I saw the phone ring at 6AM and I was like--no way---then I saw it at 7AM, and picked it up still groggy--and mumbled something about you emailing me your order.

Unfortunately, I wasn't in the shop today, so I wasn't able to personally pack the order--but I'm sure Ashley did a fine job.

No problem with future questions---just not at 6AM please, lol. Email or PMs are fine, lol---I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for your order today!!

Richard

 

Got my package today Richard! Definitely worth the shipping costs-your assistant did an awesome job packing. Everything was tightly wrapped and the PC turned on fine. I didn't think I ordered the PC with the PC-guard strap but after putting it on, I'm more than relieved that you included that in. My fingers would be tired quick holding onto the head for a long time. Once again, thanks for the personal attention-you've got a customer for life. Oh, how about a franchise for the Midwest?