Quote:
Originally Posted by anobserver
I'm looking at the bonnet especially, which is stained and water marked. It's an easy panel to remove and respray too, if it can't be corrected.
With a polisher, as with many things, i would probably go for a mid level unit. I find that's usually the best value.
Happy to take suggestions on corded vs battery. The latter seems to have much improved in the last few years.
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Most people, including me, start with a singular machine in some form of a kit. That gets you up and running with a machine, pads and compounds. Once you have some hours on the machine, you can then experiment with pads, different compounds and potentially adding a smaller machine. For the most part, you would ideally start with a 5-inch machine, then add a 3-inch machine, then add a 1-inch machine last.
The Waxit Enthusiast Kit is basically the modern version of what I started out with. This is the 3-inch ShineMate machine with a 5-inch backing plate and valance fitted, so it’s light weight and easy to handle. The kit includes three grades of pads and Scholl compounds.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...40453946343513
The above is a great starting point, but I would be more inclined to go up a level and get a dedicated 5-inch machine, which then opens you up to add a dedicated 3-inch. I’d be inclined to do the ShineMate EX610 or EX620 PRO, both offered in kit form.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...40476520317017
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...40476542697561
From there, you would be either looking at Rupes equivalent, or stepping toward battery power. Personally,
if you can swing the extra cash, I would absolutely go with battery power. For me, it frees you up from trying to manage the cord and
allows you to just focus on polishing.
Top of the list for me for occasional use, the Milwaukee machines are very enticing. Officially, only the 6-inch machine is offered in Australia. But………….you can order the 5-inch skin from Amazon or eBay. Because you are not buying something with an electrical cord, you won’t have AU vs USA electrical compatibility issues. At $475 for the skin, that is a very good price if you already have Milwaukee battery system.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Milwaukee-.../dp/B0B59RPC6T
https://www.totaltools.com.au/187629...iABEgIKF_D_BwE
The Ryobi’s are only 8mm orbits, so you won’t get the full benefit of having a machine. That leads to the ShineMate EB351 with the 15mm orbit, not the 12mm. Buy it as a kit, you can then add the smaller EB350 3-inch later on.
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...40476529721433
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections...40283314126937
One thing to consider –
For DA (dual action) polishers, the larger the orbit, the more aggressive the cutting performance. For rotary polishers, the larger the pad size, the more aggressive the performance. That’s where smaller 1 and 2 inch rotary polishers are in theory safer than a 21mm 6-inch dual action.
If you want more detail on that, I have this thread here on the subject -
https://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11496234
That thread is a little out of date now in terms of recommendations, but the progression is the same.