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-   Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair (http://www.the370z.com/detailing-washing-waxing-cosmetic-maintenance-repair/)
-   -   No need to buy expensive polishing machine! (http://www.the370z.com/detailing-washing-waxing-cosmetic-maintenance-repair/72575-no-need-buy-expensive-polishing-machine.html)

jaedub 06-12-2013 07:06 PM

No need to buy expensive polishing machine!
 
8 Attachment(s)
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
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081348
After
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081359

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.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081195
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.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081237

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081255
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.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081272

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081294
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.
http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1371081306
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 (Post 2360319)
... 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 (Post 2360365)
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 (Post 2360455)
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 (Post 2360468)
That should actually be my friend and I.

Sorry, was an English Major. lol

"lol" isn't proper English and should be capitalized :nutswinger::bowrofl::tiphat:

JARblue 06-12-2013 08:21 PM

http://takingitallinstride.files.wor...c7bcf15d53.jpg

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

:rofl2:

Andrew is just being Andrew :tup:

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 (Post 2360497)
I really wasn't trying to start something. Must be the Scotch! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 2360505)
:rofl2:

Andrew is just being Andrew :tup:

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!


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