A polisher is an essential piece of equipment for any motorist. Over time, as it is used, a car, whatever its brand, loses its youth. From a sparkling and brilliant bright red at first, it will gradually take on a dull, dull and lifeless red/pink color. The paint, the varnish and the protections tarnish one after the other so that the car enters the third age. Its owner then experiences less and less joy in driving it. And above all, in such a state, it is difficult to find a buyer willing to pay a substantial budget to buy the car second hand.
Of course, regular washing of the car contributes to its maintenance. But, even using specialized shampoos is not enough for bodywork. What is necessary is to provide from time to time a polishing of the car with a polisher. Why should you absolutely have it in your maintenance arsenal, how to choose it and above all how to use it? We have designed this guide to orient you in the world of polishers by answering the different aspects of the question.
Why use a polisher on your car?
The car polisher: we all hear about it. But concretely, what is it?
What is a car polisher?
As the name suggests, the car polisher or polisher is designed to make cars shine. It is found mainly in garages, and especially among body repairers. For its operation, it is equipped with an ergonomic handle and a disc which is, generally, covered with a polishing sponge or a bonnet.
Most of these devices strongly resemble a grinder/grinder, but they have one fundamental difference: their rotation speed. Indeed, a polisher generally turns under 600rpm and has a dimmer so as not to burn the product, and by extension, the paint.
Reasons to use a polisher
The polisher brings a car’s bodywork and other surfaces back to life by reviving any dull color. In fact, it attenuates or removes minor faults on the car. Indeed, even after thorough washing, some damage remains apparent. It’s the case:
- dirty water, limestone, acid, pollution and friction stains;
- bird droppings;
- micro scratches and scuffs caused by poor washing techniques;
- old traces of lettering due to stickers;
- Holograms (circular marks resulting from improper use of the rotary car polisher).
The device can also be used to capture dust and polish the interior of the car, especially its dashboard. To ensure these different functions, and according to the needs of the user, there are different models of polishers offering variable speeds. So how do you find the perfect model for your car?
How to choose your polisher?
You must first know the characteristics of the different polishers available on the market. There are basically two: the rotary polisher and the orbital polisher.
The rotary polisher: guaranteed power
This type of polisher has a power of 1100 to 1600 W, for a weight of 2 to 3.5 kg. It performs a circular movement and is mainly intended for professionals and amateurs with practical and theoretical knowledge. Depending on the model chosen, the rotation of the device is 600 to 4,000 rpm. Thanks to this operation, it corrects large scrapes, large scratches, etc.
The orbital polisher: for successful finishes
The orbital polisher does not produce as much heat as the rotary polisher when used on a car. In fact, this polisher is easier to use, even for those less experienced in the field of detailing. With a power varying between 100 and 600 W, it can carry out up to 6000 orbits/min. There are even pneumatic models that run on an air compressor.
To the choice of an orbital polisher is added that of the pads which must correspond to the gloss used (wax, polish, compound, etc.).
The criteria for choosing
Prefer an orbital polisher if you are a neophyte. If you already have some experience with polishers, then a rotary polisher will save you time and tackle bigger jobs. Try to take a model with a Velcro attachment for the pads, which will make your life easier later on.
The pads
It is according to the nature of the work to be carried out that one chooses the pads or the foam pads of his device. Three groups can be distinguished:
- polishing pads , used to smooth minor and medium damage on flat car surfaces;
- the cutting pads of polishers, used to correct medium defects or those to a more or less deep degree;
- Finishing pads, intended for finishing and small-scale rectifications.
How to use your polisher?
The tool is used in several steps:
- wash the vehicle properly and let it dry before trying to apply the polisher to it;
- tape the windshield, windows and antennas to preserve them, then wear an apron and put on gloves to protect your hands;
- Place the polish or luster on the pad, then apply it to the bodywork using the disc. Do not press too hard on the surfaces, in order not to damage them
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