Hi all.

I received an electric polisher for Christmas and am now looking into products & pads to use with it. Having done a lot (and I actually mean a lot) of online reading I have come to a few conclusions, but thought it is always a good idea to run it past people who probably have prior experience!

Having heard only good things, I am leaning towards the 3M branded products. These are the products I am thinking of getting:

3M Perfect-it Ultrafine Machine Polish (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/3m/perfect_it_ultrafine_machine_polish) with this pad, 3M Foam Finishing Pad 8" (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/3m/perfect_it_plus_8_inch_foam_light_polish_pad)

Then for protection after the polish, 3M Premium Liquid Wax (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/3m/premium_liquid_wax)

Something I haven't been able to find a definite answer on though is what kind of pad to use to apply and remove the wax? Any help there would be great.

My car (if you haven't seen it) is black and has the light, light swirl marks that black cars are (in)famous for. All I want to do is get rid of those light swirl marks, then give it a nice coat of wax. My parents have an old Pulsar that is gathering dust that I plan on practicing on (they don't mind, I swear) as I have never used a machine polisher before. I am well aware of the damage it could do to my car if I don't use it correctly. I plan on getting my technique down pat on the Pulsar then start on my car.

Advice, kgo!

www.carcareproducts.com.au sell Lake Country Pads. They are a very commonly used pad.

I would investigate options other than 3M. Nothing wrong with 3M, but they're not commonly used amongst detailers. I'm also not sure if an 'ultrafine' polish would have enough bite to tackle an initial swirl removal.

Poorboys are a good budget option. If you're aiming for swirl removal, SSR2.5 polish on a light cut pad, then SSR1 on a polishing pad is a good combination. Menzerna are worth looking at if you have a bit more money to spend.

As for a LSP, I would look at Collinite waxes. They're supposed to be extremely long lasting waxes. I picked up some of their 915 wax last week, and will give it a go when I finish polishing my car. If you have money to spend, Dodo Juice are the current trend in premium waxes.

Do you have a random orbital or a rotary polisher?

Wooo knowledge!

I'll take a look at Poorboys and Menzerna, I'm happy to explore options. I did read a bit online about Dodo, but couldn't find them available anywhere. Are there any shops that would sells this sort of stuff. Doesn't seem to be the sort of thing you can just go into Autobarn and get :p

I've got a rotary polisher.

Coming from someone who has recently machine polished a Black 380, you're probably going to have some issues using only a rotary polisher unless you are using a very soft pad and a light polish.

To do some heavy cutting and really get rid of the swirls I couldn't really do it without leaving holograms, but I was able to get rid of those by following up with a DA polisher and gradually lighter pads/polishes.

I would suggest this set of pads (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/mint_protools/four_flat_6_pad_kit-1) and these polishes (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/menzerna/sampler_kit). Very good place to start, give you a good range, and definitely get some practice in first. If you practice on the Pulsar, make sure to inspect it afterwards in direct sunlight, as I've found holograms can hide in indoor lighting, even with halogen spotlights. When you move on to the 380, make sure you keep it light pressure, low RPMs and gradually increase from there to see how you go. Keep inspecting your work, and expect it to take a lot of time.

As Red said, the Dodo Juice wax (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/dodo_juice/blue_velvet_panel_pot) is amazing. The panel pots are small and affordable, and if you're using it correctly should get you 4 - 6 coats easily. Wax is usually recommended to be applied by hand, not machine (unless specifically made for machine). I just use a foam applicator pad, the little yellow Meguiars ones you grab at Supercheap Auto etc.

Your paint looks in good condition, so you shouldnt need to do much correction. I suggest using dodo juice pre-wax cleaner first with a superfine pad. See how you go with that first as that will remove very fine scratches and most swirls. Also because you are new to this the chance of doing damage is very small.

Eeek just noticed u have a rotary. be VERY careful. Keep the speed low and dont stop the machine in any one place. Take extra care around edges too. A DA is more suitable for beginners to be honest.

You should be going to www.carcareproducts.com.au. I regularly visit their showroom in sydney and they are good guys with great knowledge. Their delivery service is brill too.

Im currently looking at the DAS6 DA orbital to satisfy my detailing urges hehe

Thanks for the information guys. I'll keep hunting around for the right product. I think you have sold me on the Dodo wax though. I've yet to hear a bad thing about it. I'd much rather spend that bit extra and know that I am using a really good product that is going to do the job well.
I know that the rotary polishers can be dangerous to use. I personally would have gone for the DA but I received it as a gift so there's not much I can do about that. I am definitely aware that I can burn the paint if I am not careful, hence why I am going to practice quite a bit on the Pulsar. Leaving it in one spot or applying to much pressure for the amount of RPM is what will cause issues. So I will take your advice and make sure I start at lower RPMs to get the movement right, then gradually increase the speed until I find something that I am comfortable with - yet will still do the job. I'll probably end up spending quite a few hours practicing before I move onto my car. In the end I'd rather spend extra time getting it perfect than using it on my car straight away and then have to get a panel resprayed or something...

Keeping in mind all I have are the light holograms. Will I need a stronger polish, or will something very light be ok? They are only noticeable in direct sunlight.

As said before, just take it easy and work up if need be. No point working the clear coat into a frenzy if it doesnt need it. Slow speed for wax, high speed for polish correction :)

Also, try the Dodo Juice Sour Power shampoo. Its brilliant! Doesnt strip any wax coats you have applied but cuts through the dirt with ease

Possible decision right here folks:

Clay the car first using this product. (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/dodo_juice/dodo_clay_and_born_slippy_duo)
This pack contains Dodos pre-wax cleaner, wax, polishing pads & microfiber clothes. (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/dodo_juice/two_birds_half_cut/default-33) To apply the pre-wax product I would use this pad (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/lake_country/final_finishing_pad_65)

Possible decision right here folks:

Clay the car first using this product. (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/dodo_juice/dodo_clay_and_born_slippy_duo)
This pack contains Dodos pre-wax cleaner, wax, polishing pads & microfiber clothes. (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/dodo_juice/two_birds_half_cut/default-33) To apply the pre-wax product I would use this pad (http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/lake_country/final_finishing_pad_65)

I havent used the claybar from dodo but have heard good things. Rest of the gear, spot on mate!!!