Do any of you think the porter cable orbital polishers are useful to have for maintaining a good finish, or am I just asking for trouble if I've never used one? My car looks brand new still and I'm trying to figure out if this is a good investment to keep it looking that way--I waxed it once over the summer (only had it 6 months) but when the weather is nice again, I'd like to develop a good routine of waxing. I can just do everything by hand, but if the only reason not to get a porter cable polisher is the $140 or so they cost, I might ask for one as a christmas gift.

Right now I may have some slight swirl marks, but I've not noticed them yet...it sounds like they're inevitable, even if you never let anyone wash the car and all you ever use on it is high quality microfiber. I'm already planning to stress to my dealer that I don't want them washing or cleaning my car--I've heard a lot of horror stories.

I know many people say don't use an electric polisher, as you can risk hurting your paint, but just as many people say that that is only for the cheaper ones from walmart, etc, and the porter cable is the one many detailing experts seem to recommend? Can some of you who might have already gone through this thought process help me out? Brad B, any advice?

If I just need an orbital for occasionaly polishing to fix scratches once I get them, then it might not be something I *need* soon, but if I could use it to wax and it saves me time and sweat, that sounds pretty cool. The last time I did a full wash, detail and wax, the whole session did take me a good 4.5 hours. (A normal wash/detail session for me is about 2.5 hours, wheels, chrome, interior etc.) I didn't clay last time--but I've heard over and over from people that they like the results of the clay bars, so I hope to incorporate that into my routine in the spring.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mike,
Hello fellow St. Louisan!

Briefly, the Porter Cable RO is one of the best investments you'll make! (your significant other may disagree! ) It's the perfect way to make life easy and maintain your paint, wax, etc.

The PC is very safe to use but like any tool, best results are had with instruction on methods, tips and tricks, understanding different polishing pads and how they interwork with different polishes and waxes.

You are welcome to come to my garage for some hands on training/demo and are welcome to sample everything out, polisher, pads, etc. You can also sample any of the hundreds (and hundreds) of detailing supplies I have of any sort before you drop the cash on something yourself.

I will PM you with some more info.

BTW, my first detailing clinic is in the Spring at Plaza for the Mercedes Club. You should attend. We need another MINI there to class up the joint!

 

Keep us posted on the dates Brad because I would like to attend one or your garage.

 

That is until you do her car!

 

Of course, I should've known that BradB would jump all over this one!

I am a recent Porter Cable RO customer and did quite a bit of work on my car with it with smoothing-out touch up paint, removing swirl marks all over the car, finish polishing, and applying glaze (I still wax by hand though)...

Anyway, it's the best detailing money I've spent. For about $200 (tool, pads, and compounds) I have been able to really take my paint to the next level. I recently put on a pre-painted aero kit -- so I had new bumpers and skirts on a parked outside, daily-driver, 65,000 miles car. Needless to say, I had some finish issues between the old and new surfaces! With the Porter Cable, all of my 'old' paint was able to be made to look just like the fresh, new paint on my new parts. Amazing.

Take the plunge. You won't regret it.

 

Same here.