aight guys....i'm gonna ask for some detailing stuff for christmas, and tryin to get this PC thing figured out

i've done some reading, and seen what a PC can do - i've got mad swirls in my paint that is really frickin irritating me, but i'm not sure what the differences are between a $100 PC and a $30 buffer than i can buy at advance auto or where ever

can anyone help me out and point out some of the differences between the 2??

thanks in advance guys

 

The main differences are:

1) quality
2) variable speed and higher orbital rotation speeds available
3) ease of interchangable pads and brush attachment ($30 one will not have that option in most cases)

Like driving Honda moped vs. the TL, they both get you to the destination but one gets you there faster and with a much better experience and feel.

Also check out the Cyclo which is used by professional detailers and also is more durable (professional grade but is more expensive). This would be the NSX vs. the moped.

 

i see....thanks for the info mike

so you'd say AT LEAST go with the PC, and not even think about anything less??

 

That is the suggestion since you'll be wasting money since it will sit and eventually you will upgrade due to the performance and your knowledge of detailing grows. ( I bought one from Sears about 15 years ago and it sits in my garage collecting dust since I can't even give it away).

 

PC= Porter Cable = Quality.

I bought mine from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...&s=hi&n=507846

Then bought a pad kit. I can;t find where I bought the kit from, but it's something like this:

http://www.propercarcare.com/bf200.html

 

awesome, i really appreciate the help and info guys

looks like the PC will be one of my gifts this christmas!!

woooot!

 

Happy detailing!

 

The PC is the way to go. It pays for itself after a few details of my relatives' cars (they pay me about $100 per detail). I've been using it for a couple of years and love it!! You won't go wrong using a PC.

 

Get the PC at Lowes. They are the cheapest place you can buy without having to order via the web. Then get the Lake Country pads somewhere on the net. Get 2 yellows and 2 whites. The yellow is for removing med-heavy swirls. The white is for light duty swirls.

Don't get the cheap buffers. They won't last and don't do quite as nice a job as the PC. Imagine you doing the "wax on, wax off" motion, except 50,000 times as fast. It isn't quite a rotary, but it's the best machine before the use of a rotary. Pretty hard to damage paint with the PC as well.

Erik

 

The PC is a RANDOM ORBIT.

And yes you CAN F*** up your paint if you are not careful.

 

You can, it's entirely possible, but compared to a rotary where you can screw up your paint in seconds, it's a far cry. The only way you can screw up your paint equally as fast is if you let go of the machine and let it bounce off your car. The PC doesn't build up heat as fast as a rotary which is what I was trying to say.

Erik

 

sounds good guys - i'll have to look into the pads i guess, there's probably many different ones in terms of how abrasive they are huh??

one other question....how long can you use any individual pad??
how do you clean them??

 

You just wash them after use.

Check out autopia.org. They have many FAQs on detailing your car.