For those who want to take the plunge, you should spend some time on a good detailing site to gain some knowledge first. I've been a member on Autopia for many many years, great place to learn everything you need to know. Another good site is Detailing bliss. The PC is a great starter machine and is very easy to use. You only need a PC for defect removal (correction work) not for wax or sealant application. There are so many products out there now that you just spray on and wipe off, thats way easier than using a PC. As far as abrading way your clear coat with the PC, it depends on what pad and compound/polish you are using. With a mild pad and polish the amount of clear that is removed is not measurable. I have customers that have been coming to me for years and I have done some major defect removal for them, and their paint still measures nearly the same as when they first started bringing me their cars. As a rule of thumb, 0.5 mills of clear can safely be removed from new paint. That my friends is a lot of clear to work with. Most polishing jobs remove only a fraction of that. If you are using a PC you don't need to worry about thinning your paint unless you fall asleep while using it
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