It's tmie for a porter cable polisher: need recommendations for basic setup
 

I've had the E46 and have yet to use a porter cable polisher on it. :ack: It's time.

I can order the PC polisher itself with no problem, but there seem to be a lot of options for the pads and the polishes themselves, and opinions I find when searching. Can anyone recommend a basic setup (which pads and polishes, etc) as a startup kit?

I would like to finish with Klass AIO and SG, because I'm familiar with them. I'm not sure if that ties in. In terms of what polish I need, I don't want to go too aggressive, but the car does has a some decent swirls. I think they ran it through a sand paper washer when the shipped it to ca. :mad:

Does this mean what I hope it means?

Hmm, found this thread.

Still lots of options and opinions though... White pads, yellow pads, orange pads, oh my.

If it were me, I would get the pads and polishes from Griots. It works well, the product is water soluble so the pads clean up with plain water. I have been a griots fan ever since I got my first black car.

But if you want to use other stuff, surf over to autopia and see what the real fanatics have to say. There is a lot of information there.

the griot's polishes sucked 6 or 7 years ago, not sure if anything's changed.

You're going to want an assortment of different pads. Some are better at cutting, some are better for polishing, etc.

Yup, buy a few whites, yellows and oranges.

Really, the advice to go to autopia and browse their forum is the best.

Alex

I disagree. I have had spectacular results with them, brought distressed cars back to show room finish (ok, maybe almost show room finish) and always was able to leave mirror smooth finishes on any car I tackled. I started using their stuff in 2002 or so. I think it can take a little longer b/c they make the polishes mild enough to make it very difficult to hurt the car.

But I would still go to autopia. I am not even a neophyte nut case compared to a lot of the guys on that board.

I use their clay, detail spray, leather care and fine hand polish for tough area's. I also use their pads(for the porter cable) and wax cloths as well as finger sponges for the rims. I used to use their wax also but have got better results with Blitz.

For swirls I use 3m imperial hand glaze then two coats of Blitz 1 grand wax. For the rest of the interior I use Vinylex.

Just ran across this while at HF the other day picking up an air hose:

7" Variable SPeed Polisher / Sander - $35

It's a Harbor Freight piece of power equipment so in no way would I expect it to last. However, for $35 it is 1/3 the cost of the Porter Cable unit and if it's for home use it probably won't be used all that much, maybe once a month? At that usage rate it'll probably last years. It has no random orbital feature like the Porter Cable unit but it does have a nice 300-3000 rpm speed range.

Just a thought if anyone is interested.