Best machine polishing equipment according to redditors

Wow. I should get into paint correction. <$250 for all the tools and polish and waxes. As a car guy, I don't mind waxing my car every 6 months (or 4 months if you're in the frigid north or are anal). I also feel it's foolish to drop $2k-4k on these nano-quartz-bullshit schemes that a lot of car guys swear by nowadays. If you want to drop $4k on paint protection, go for it, but I can get a full window-out repaint for the same price!

Here's what I learned:

Buy the equipment:

https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-7424XP-6-Inch-Variable-Speed-Polisher/dp/B002654I46

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Action-Hook-Flexible-Backing-Plate/dp/B0008G1RDK

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Microfiber-Towel-Case%2C-324-count.product.100341124.html

https://www.amazon.com/Collinite-Liquid-Insulator-Wax-845/dp/B000JK2D06

http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html (MIN: 2 orange, 2 white, 1 black, 1 blue -- I prefer doubling this order; Autogeek almost always has 10-25% off coupons on their mailing list)

You will also need an extension wire with the appropriate gauge (too thin/cheap cables might cause you to burn your Porter Cable motor!)


Buy the compounds (start with UC; if swirls aren't getting cut, move up to 50%/50% UC and 105 on the pads; finish with 205 regardless):

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17216-Ultimate-Compound-15-2/dp/B001O7PNNM (medium aggressive)

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirror-Glaze-Ultra-Cut-Compound/dp/B003LMGDHI (most aggressive)

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirror-Glaze-Finishing-Polish/dp/B001O7PNXC

Wash your car with this, and the two-bucket method:

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G7164-Class-Shampoo-Conditioner/dp/B0009IQXFO

https://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Chenille-Microfiber-Premium-Scratch-Free/dp/B002J7KCOG

Claybar the car:

https://www.amazon.com/YGDZ-Quality-Detailing-Claybar-Shipping/dp/B01MF4BVVS

It took me about 5-6 relaxed hours on a Sunday with a few beers for the full correction. Now I simply top up the wax every few months (and that only takes 30 min).

The thing is, once you do the full correction and get rid of all your swirls and scuffs and whatever clearcoat damage (wash + claybar + M105/UC + M205 + wax), then you don't have to do the FULL correction ever again.

Ever again meaning, if you wash the car properly thereafter with the two-bucket method. You'll simply need to top up the wax once it stops beading -- the wax will protect the clearcoat from damage and swirls.

My wax lasted 6+ months being daily driven in the California sun with three coats of Collinite 845 -- I assume if yours will see more snow and ice and rain, perhaps it'll only last 3-4 months. But since a bottle costs <$20 and you'll get at least 36+ layers out of it, I always recommend this versus the "nano coatings" that people are shelling out $2-4k for.

Here's the Collinite fanboy thread:

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/40243-collinite-845-definitive-how-guide-legendary-wax.html

Any other questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

Detailing products are usually not cheap. The best way to save money is to buy in bulk (gallon size), you'll save over time rather than having to go to autozone to buy more soaps, waxes, microfiber towels, wheel cleaners.

Will save you money for years. For instance Meguiar's glass cleaner (gallon concentrated). $20, dilute 10-1 with distilled water, you just bought yourself 10 years worth of glass cleaner. I'd say buying in gallon concentrated gives you a 5x better value over buying the parts-store consumer stuff. I know because ive already spent probably hundreds at autozone / parts stores on just car shampoos and glass cleaner just taking care of a Camry.

Meguiar's Shampoo Plus (amazon link)

Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (amazon)

Meguiar's Xpress Spray Wax (amazon)

Also the Last Touch detailer, wheel cleaners, interior cleaners, leather products. All good value.

etc. Compare the costs to parts-store grade products.



Kirkland microfiber towels (amazon) good for basic jobs that you don't want to use more expensive towels on.

Save all your spray bottles bottles of spray wax, interior cleaners, glass cleaner sprays, etc to recycle & reuse. Put the gallon-sized concentrated versions in them, re-label the bottle with a sharpie. You just saved $25 in bottles costs.

Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool. This saves your back and neck muscles from becoming dislocated trying to reach into corners while cleaning glass. This tool is an essential in my book. I think its $15-20.

For DA polishing, look into the meguiar's DA microfiber system. You want the one with the 5" backing plate. Also buying in bulk principle also works here, you'll want a lot of buffing wheels so buy the 12-pack. amazon link

You'll want a clay bar kit. Meguiar's clay bar kit is a good value, I like that it comes with a case to store the clay.

My headlights were MUCH worse (long story). I used this (since its out of stock just get a similar kit on amazon):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gator-3-1-in-Headlight-Restoration-Kit/4747427

and this (plan to reapply this every year or so, heard about it on scotty kilmer youtube channel):

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17804-Clear-Headlight-Coating/dp/B01M4RVVX6

It was really easy and worked amazingly. IMO dont even waste your time or money buying sandpaper and doing it by hand, this is basically the same cost or so and much easier

EDIT: This on amazon should work well

https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Taillights-Restoration-High-Precision-Waterproof/dp/B07KP8J7Q2/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=headlight+sandpaper&qid=1573631053&sr=8-9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_k4NtNLAwY

I sure hope that's the the case! what threw me off is the yellow fuzz that's around the backing plate I guess I need to just scrape that off?

Lake Country - Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate - 5 Inch Diameter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G1RDK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XvxDDb5JCZ0H7

If you go this route, do yourself a favor and throw the backing plate that comes with the HF DA in the trash. I returned my first one because the stem was bent and the second one was just as bad.

I picked up one of these to go with my Lake Country 5.5 inch pads
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008G1RDK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get the HF DA Polisher Lake County 3" backing pad and some 3" meduim cut and polishing pads.


Its going to cost another $20-$30 over the meguiars G3500, but you will actually have a tool that can do paint correction.


Later on you can pick up a larger 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads when your budget allows it.