How-to Polish by Machine

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How to Polish by Machine

Machine Application

Applying by machine offers the best results while being highly efficient in both terms of time and minimized product usage. There are two types of machines.

• Dual Action Orbital (Recommend for beginners and intermediate users)

• Rotary Polisher (Professionals only)

DA Orbital

When to use:

For the beginner and novice. The Dual Action Orbital, also known as a DA, is a polishing tool that is a modified sander with the sanding backing plate replaced with a polishing pad. The DA offers the efficiency of a polishing machine while maintaining the safety of hand application. This is achieved by creating an oscillating polishing movement. This movement minimizes the heat generated which can damage paint when applied incorrectly.

While the DA is a step above hand application, its strength is also its weakness. Since it does not create a lot of heat due to is oscillating movement, it can not correct serious paint issues. Therefore, the DA is an excellent finishing tool.

Benefits:

1) DA’s allow for more consistent results from beginning to end — fatigue, which is a factor in hand application, is not a factor with the DA since the machine is doing all the work. This means that you apply the same consistent effort throughout the entire polishing process. This translates into better results from beginning to end.

2) Less product is needed. The same amount of polish poured for hand application can treat about twice as much surface area with the DA.

3) A DA reduces application time without sacrificing quality.

How:

To apply using a DA, pour product on to either car surface or polishing pad. With DA in “off” position, spread product on to surface–this prevents splatter. Turn DA on and work in area approximately 3 square feet. Starting from the top of the section working your way down, move in a side to side motion, overlapping as you move downwards. When product dries to a haze, wipe off with a clean microfiber towel. Inspect surface to determine if desired correction has been achieved. Repeat process until desired results are achieved.

Rotary Polisher

When to use:

For the professional. Use when major paint correction is required. Remedy issues such as severe swirl marks, scratches and heavy oxidation. The rotary polisher rotates a polishing pad from a direct drive creating a high speed polishing effect which generates a high amount of heat. This is required for major paint correction. It’s also a cause of paint damage when in the hands of an inexperienced user.

Benefits:

Corrects severe paint issues quickly and effectively that hand application cannot correct.

How:

NOTE: For experienced users only. Improper use can result in damage to the paintwork.

Apply polish on paintwork surface or on pad. Start application at 900 RPMs with light pressure and increase to 1200 RPMs with moderate pressure. Working in a 3 square foot section, start from the top and apply in a side to side pattern moving down. Polish until polish material has nearly faded. Wipe off with a clean microfiber towel, inspect surface to determine if desired results have been achieved. Repeat process if necessary.

Information provided by 1Z Einszsett