What's better? Waxing by hand or using a randon orbit?
I just bought a Simoniz 8' Random Orbit Polisher/ Waxer.
Is it any good? I just picked up my PWP TSX a couple days ago and I want to give it a good wax. I'm worried about scratching it up or something.

Also, what's the difference between polishing and waxing? What do you suggest I do?

 

Waxing = by hand
Polishing = orbital

 

Pc 7424 all the way..........

 

When are you suppose to polish a car? How do you polish a car? Do I simply put on the cotton polishing bonnet on the randon orbit and start polishing or do I need to add some kind of product?

 

Meguiars makes a polish, it's normally step 2 in a 3-step wax process. Polish gives it that wet look and takes out swirl marks. Wax is just a protectant.

Personally, I prefer hand polishing and waxing. I'm old skool though.

 

Hand polishing also? Damn. How are the results?

 

 

Simoniz...umm...do you live in Canada?

Polishing will get rid of swirls by taking off a very thin layer of paint. (machine)

Waxing is to protect the paint. (hand)

 

I'm from Calgary. The 8' Simoniz Random Orbit was on sale at Canadian Tires for only $19.99.
Thought it be a good idea to pick it up

 

if you just bought this car (new) you really do not need to polish your car. the paint is still new to have to polish it.

waxing i have always done by hand but i think im gunna use my orbital to wax with a good pad. itll be alot quiker

 

Polishing replenishes oils that have evaporated from the finish. Some good polishes also removes minor scrathces and swirls but not the deep ones. If your car is still new then it most likely has a good clearcoat. Even when you apply polish, you might not notice a difference.

Those R/O polishers are pretty good, it multiplies the work you do with just your hands and cuts down on your work (so you can starte at it longer). Just be careful of the type of bonnet you use. Terry cloth bonnets are best for applying/ removing polish because they have a little "bite", just don't use them for waxing 'coz they will re-introduce swirls. Use the foam ones to apply swirl removers and cleaners (or ColorX). Also get some good Microfiber bonnets to buff wax after you apply it by hand and remove it with a MF cloth.

Exceldetail and the other resident experts here can recommend good steps to start protecting you new finish.

Good Luck!

 

I'm a little confused with the bonnets. The package came with 2 cotton polishing bonnets, 1 cloth wax applicator, and 1 foam wax remover.
So I assumed, I was suppose to use the cotton bonnets to polish, terry cloth to apply the wax, and the foam bonnet to remove the wax.

 

Raylau,

Start here:

http://autopia.org/forums/showthread...&threadid=7536

 

Use the terry bonnet only when applying polish or cleaner wax. It has a bit of a "bite" that is it CAN scratch. Another abrasive bonnet is a lambswool or an imitation lambswool bonnet that should only be used with swirl removers.

The wax applicator is just a gimmick . It looks like some non-permeable piece of canvas. I would not use it.

The foam pad is almost like a general purpose bonnet, that's why I have a few of them. I use it to apply ColorX, Klasse AIO or other waxes. Just be really careful taking it off 'coz it will rip. Soaking it in Dawn then air drying it is the best way to clean it.

Look for a 7" or an 8" Microfiber bonnet (around $8.00) and use it for a final buffing routine to increase the shine even further.

This year I might "graduate" myself to a PC 7424 so I only have to worry about the colors of the foam pads.

 

I will second that

 

PC is the only way to go. Make sure to get some of Excel's great pads to go with it.