I have often been surprised to find out just how little time the person responsible for polishing a vehicle in the shop is given to complete the process, along with any denibbing and sanding.
Quality polishing and especially detailing takes plenty of time and always will. However, thanks to the better products, tools and methods available today, there are a few ways to reduce process times.
The rotary polisher was the industry standard for both the automotive detailing and the collision repair industry but in the last decade random orbital and dual action (forced rotation and random orbital switchable) machine polishers have progressively taken over as the preferred machine of many professional detailers. These machines are game changers and save time.
Using one of the machines listed in any shop to remove sanding marks and to create a swirl-free high-gloss finish saves time over traditional methods like a rotary polisher in its standard form with a compound and wool or foam pad.
So here are my tips to not only save time but increase quality and customer satisfaction.
TIP 1 – Use one polish for the entire process
Using a single polish system has many benefits – there is no chance of cross-contamination between other polishes or having to keep the various types of buffing pads separate from the others and you'll save money. The latest non-diminishing abrasive technology means it’s always working. Diminishing abrasive products can be hard work because if you get the technique wrong, you won’t get the defect removal and the quality finish you want.
Under-working a diminishing abrasive compound or polish means that you can leave a hazy finish and not get the sanding marks, swirls and marring out. Over-working the product will mean you can put swirls and marring into the paint rather than removing it and leaving a perfect finish.
With today’s products it is extremely difficult to mess up. There's also no need to use a cutting compound, which can leave swirl marks requiring more work, as virtually all of them tear at the paint.
With a single polish product, you can leave the residue of the polish from the first step on the paint, change to a softer pad, add a little more product and finish up without spending time wiping the panel or area clean two or three times, which also means less risk of towel marring on fresh paints and soft OEM paint finishes and, of course, more time saved.
Since beginning to machine polish in 2000, I have used over a hundred brands of abrasive polishes at significant cost and it has never been so easy and fun to perfect a paint finish than it is today.
Forget about the old school gritty compounds and multi stage systems: they will cost you time and money and frustrate you or your detailer.
There are a number of world-class products available in Australia and while they may be the same price or more expensive than the common products, you will gain so much from them that you will forget all about the price.
TIP 2 – Use a random orbital, dual action polisher or a polishing head
Investing in any of the following machines or the tool accessory, featured above right, will allow your shop to achieve flawless, ultra-glossy finishes on all your vehicles. The action of the polisher is not just circular and the design is superior; it does not create as much heat as a rotary with cutting pads, which means less risk of burning fresh paint. It also much harder to dry buff, causing swirls or holograms.
A rotary, while a great tool in skilled hands, is pretty much an angle grinder but with half the speed and power. A professional grinder has a circular motion with up to 2500 watts and 6600 to 8400 rpm. The rotary has 1250 watts and 600 to 3000 rpm with variable speed dial. That is it. Get it wrong with this big guy and it can be ugly and expensive. Its design is great for removing defects but for doing the last step of a polish in any bodyshop, it's very tricky to get 10 per cent right. I will never do the last step with a rotary.
Rotaries have improved with larger orbit throws, higher speed settings and the amount of power available from 350 watts to 1000 watts between different brands and models, so it is possible to not just remove those defects but deliver a finish that will really impress.
Since making detailing my life-long career, the most common complaint I hear about from other detailer friends and potential customers are buff marks caused by a bad buffing job by a crash repair shop. It’s unfortunately all too common. These machines shown below are what I recommend all in the collision repair and restoration industry to purchase at some stage.
TIP 3 – Using a Dynabrade random orbital or dual mode head on your rotary
If you prefer to use a rotary polisher or do not wish to spend up to several hundred dollars on a dual action or random orbital polisher, then these inexpensive polishing heads, which fit on any rotary polisher sold in Australia (M14 thread) in the low to mid-hundred dollar mark, are a real time and money saver and a godsend for anyone intending on creating the perfect finish.
The 61375 random orbital head features a massive 19mm orbit throw and incredible build quality. It comes with a seven inch backing plate which can be removed and replaced with any size backing plate from five inches or 125mm that have a 5/16ths sized thread. Simply attach it to your rotary and you are ready to rapidly remove sanding marks and all other defects from the paint and in the process. Because of its polishing action you can never end up with holograms with this tool.
A one-step with a cutting foam pad or a two-step with wool and foam and the car is ready for the customer. The other head available is the 61385. This one features the same swirl killing 19mm orbit throw but with forced rotation and random orbital modes, changeable at the flick of a switch on the head itself. Change plate sizes as often as you like to perform spot repairs, polish tight areas and various shaped panels.
The most important tip I can give is to develop a smooth action with any polisher, whether going fast or slow and steady. Keep your hand movements the same from side to side; don’t do a fast sweep in one direction and a slow one the other way.
Recommended equipment
Flex XC 3401 VRG DA
Pros Large 8mm orbit throw, various plate sizes available for spot repairs, ergonomic, forced rotation power (rotary and oscillating at the same time). Has proven its toughness and precision in the detailing industry in the last few years.
Cons Forced rotation only, not switchable between forced rotation and random orbital. Spins anti-clockwise so may feel weird to people used to rotaries. Limited availability through one or two companies who supply the detail industry.
Festool Rotex DA
Pros Forced rotation and random orbital switchable, ergonomic, high power and torque. Built strong and can do the cutting and the finishing all by itself.
Cons Random orbital mode a little disappointing, pad does not spin fast enough compared to pro random orbital units, has some vibration in forced rotation mode.
Rupes LHR 21E Bigfoot polisher
Pros massive 21mm orbit throw and high speed allows super fast removal of sanding marks which cuts down on time considerably, perfect finish every time from its random orbital motion.
Cons Manufacturer claims you need to use its foam pads and polishes, no forced rotation mode, in the higher price bracket for rotary polishers.