Paint restoration

[Gayle]

might be the way to go and save me some money in the long run. Last time I tried to use a power buffer the results weren't pretty (burnt). Learned my lesson so better leave it to someone that knows what they're doing. I can maintain it after that. I just didn't know if those fine scratches would come out or not.

Paul

Did you use a circular buffer or the random orbital? Big difference in danger factor.

Whit was trying to talk me into changing my own oil. The why he hooked me with was "attention to detail". The same thing applies here. You can do a much better job than a professional because you will have the attention to detail a professional won't.

The times I have had my cars professionally detailed, my reaction has always disappointment. "I just paid how much for this? It would have looked way better if I had done it myself." I get every little spot and put extra work and try different products/techniques on places that don't turn out the way I want. Professionals don't.

On idea I came across on one of the detailing forums could help you if you are concerned about causing damage. The article suggested you go someplace and buy a hood off of an old car and practice your porter cable technique on it. See what the differ products and different pads do. Get your technique down there. I had seen an old mercedes hood with that giant grill that I loved at a Pick Your Part. I had planned to go back and get that, practice on it, and turn it into some kind of funky lawn sculpture afterward.

Ended up attacking hubbys 525 with the porter cable before doing that exercise and the car suffered no ill effects. I have had lots of experience with sanders and I am careful in general, so I wasn't too worried. I think it would be pretty hard to do damage with the pc except at the edge of the ridge on the hood.

At the point in time when we were thinking about keeping the 525, we were considering having it repainted as we can do so relatively cheaply in Mexico. After I detailed that car within an inch of its life in preparation to sell it, I am convinced it did not need repainting. The person who said the porter cable might save you a paint job is right.

Here are some links to articles about the porter cable

http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=47

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/det...3579628-1.html

[liquidtiger720]

^ On what gale Gayle said. If you decide to go with a rotary buffer, you will definetly want to try it out on a hood. Go nab one from a junk yard, and practice. The easier route is buying a PC. The only downside is that it will take much longer to do the same work amount of work as a rotary buffer. There is also a learning curve with the rotary, which is pretty much non-existant with a PC.


Dang Gayle...it sounds as if you should detail my car!