No need to buy expensive polishing machine!

jaedub · 06-12-2013, 07:06 PM

Hey guys! As a college student, I'm always on budget. I have a black Z and it's very hard and expensive to keep my baby spanking clean. I've been looking online for a good quality polishing machine but those started at nearly $300, and that's without any polishing products.

However, I did find an EASY alternative way to build a polisher that works just as good as those fancy $300 machine......with only around $25!

Now, I know what you guys are thinking......that this is some kind of joke or some amateur unreliable piece of crap that will only damage, burn a hole on clearcoat, and scratch the paint.

BUT PLEASE HEAR ME OUT! I've done extensive research on detailing and spent many hours watching videos and reading tips & guides. And I have finally come to a conclusion that my custom polisher (super easy to make, yet effective!) will work!

Before

After

My paint job looks better than a new fresh paint. I got no swirl or light scratches anywhere on my car.

Here are the steps to make yourself the polisher

1st: Buy a TurtleWax 6 inch Random Orbital polisher from Walmart. (Make sure its Random Orbital and not rotary polisher) = $20! Note: This machine rotates at a fixed rate of 3500 RPM. Those fancy polisher are adjustable from 3k~6k RPM. However, 3500 RPM works perfectly in my personal opinion.

2nd: You'll notice that the polisher has layers of white,black, and yellow foam that is glued to the plate of the machine (This foam is just a cushion, not to actually polish). RIP THAT BAD BOY OFF! I simply used my hand to rip it off. But because the foam is glued to the plate, you'll have nasty dried glue and partial foam pieces stuck to the glue. Try your best to get rid of them. I personally used a blow torch to burn/harden/flatten the glue. I guarantee you you won't get rid of all the glue however,those remainings are fine.

3rd: Buy a velcro tape! I don't know how much or where to buy them but I'm sure it won't cost you much. After you have the tape, tape the velcro to the plate of the polisher. Note: There are 2 different pieces to velcro. The hook/rough side and the catch/soft side. I tapped the hook/rough velcro to the polishing machine because your polishing pad (which you'll buy separately later) already has a built in catch/soft side on your pad.

From here, you're done! All you have to buy is the polishing compounds and polishing pads! Make sure you buy the 5.5 ~ 6 inch pads. This product will work just as the same as the $300 polishing machine...except the rate is fixed at 3500 RPM.

I'M NOT HERE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO POLISH YOUR CAR PROPERLY! I'm only here to share my custom polisher. Please study proper polishing techniques carefully online. And make sure to use the best product for pads and compounds. I use Hex-logic pads with Meguiar mirror glaze products (Top of the line stuff).

Does my custom polisher give identical result compared to the fancy $300 machine? Probably not. However, the results are pretty darn close and you can't beat the price!

Please note that I'm not responsible for any damages caused by my custom polisher.

DEpointfive0 · 06-12-2013, 07:16 PM

... I didn't know I wasn't the only one who did this, LOL

jaedub · 06-12-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

... I didn't know I wasn't the only one who did this, LOL

Works like a charm huh?! I'am very pleased with the result!

Ziggyman · 06-12-2013, 07:29 PM

Nice tip! Thanks!

Zbrah · 06-12-2013, 07:36 PM

You da man! I'm soo going to do this next time I stop at walmart. Thanks.

DEpointfive0 · 06-12-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaedub

Works like a charm huh?! I'am very pleased with the result!

Yeah, me and my friend restored his gray RX7 back to black, lol

122554 · 06-12-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Yeah, me and my friend restored his gray RX7 back to black, lol

That should actually be my friend and I.

Sorry, was an English Major. lol

DEpointfive0 · 06-12-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 122554

That should actually be my friend and I.

Sorry, was an English Major. lol

"lol" isn't proper English and should be capitalized

JARblue · 06-12-2013, 08:21 PM

122554 · 06-12-2013, 08:25 PM

I really wasn't trying to start something. Must be the Scotch! LOL

JARblue · 06-12-2013, 08:28 PM

Andrew is just being Andrew

cheshirecat · 06-12-2013, 08:39 PM

lol, this is great

can't argue with the results

kind of curious though what the longevity of the motor will be on that unit, but it's not like it's that expensive to replace.

DEpointfive0 · 06-13-2013, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 122554

I really wasn't trying to start something. Must be the Scotch! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

Andrew is just being Andrew

Lol, yes sir, I am just messing, now back on topic?
I've done this EXACT thing and it works GREAT

Jasonle · 06-13-2013, 06:30 AM

Man I need to do this! Thanks OP!

wheee! · 06-13-2013, 07:46 AM

This would be even better if it was for the spot size pads, 2-3". Places the random orbital big boys don't get into....
good idea though!

06-12-2013, 07:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17152	... I didn't know I wasn't the only one who did this, LOL jaedub likes this. __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

06-12-2013, 07:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ziggyman Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: North Shore Posts: 176 Drives: 11 SR Tour/Sport MT Rep Power: 13	Nice tip! Thanks! __________________ The Dude abides!

06-12-2013, 08:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	b1adesofcha0s and 2xtreme1 like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

06-12-2013, 08:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
122554 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: My own world Posts: 506 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 14	I really wasn't trying to start something. Must be the Scotch! LOL DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ I don't normally drink beer, but when I do....i drink a lot!

06-12-2013, 08:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	Andrew is just being Andrew 2xtreme1 likes this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

06-12-2013, 07:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5452	You da man! I'm soo going to do this next time I stop at walmart. Thanks.

06-12-2013, 08:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	lol, this is great can't argue with the results kind of curious though what the longevity of the motor will be on that unit, but it's not like it's that expensive to replace.

06-13-2013, 06:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
Jasonle A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 3,509 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 26	Man I need to do this! Thanks OP! __________________ 2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

06-13-2013, 07:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	This would be even better if it was for the spot size pads, 2-3". Places the random orbital big boys don't get into.... good idea though! __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

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