I have swirls. Its a problem. But I am on a budget and I don't necessarily have 300$ to throw down on a poisher, chemicals, and all the other good stuff. Is there anyway to get the swirls out without the Porter that everyone swears by. I am a beginner so I know that I need something safe.

It might make more sense for me to take it to someone. But I don't know who i would trust with my black baby. Also, I dont know what a fair price to pay would be for a good exterior treatment.

Just looking for some advice. Short and sweet. I have read alot of forums here, but I was wondering if there were other suggestions.

Yes, there is. Get a Chicago Electric rotary from Harbor Freight for $25, and order the System One Pro kit for ~$90-100. That gives you polish, an Edge adapter, foam/wool pad, a training DVD, and a rotary. Been using it myself now, and I can't recommend it enough! Believe it or not, I find it works better the warmer it is outside! Fantastic product! Than just top it off with your favorite wax. I would recommend Eagle One Nanowax or Meguiar's NXT 2.0 if you want to make sure none of those minor swirls show up and want a surface that sheets water like nothing else with a deep look.

If you live more towards the west coast, order it here:
http://polishandwax.com/system-one-pro-kit.htm

Autogeek is also getting it in pretty soon, and you may get it faster from there if you are on the east coast:
http://autogeek.net/system-one-pro-kit.html

I will look into it. Sounds good though, I just ahve a hard time paying that much...seeing as how I am a college student. Thanks for the info.

I wouldn't suggest a rotary unless you have had experience with one. For a beginner I would suggest something that is safe and don't need to worry what polish you working with, like the UDM or the PC

I would do the UDM for sure! i wish i could trade my porter cable for one :)

I got a new PC for 99$ at Coastal Tools.

I suggest this: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/udm-daspol-na.html

I would trade my porter cable for one, anyone up for that ? :)

I think that I am going to go with the porter. 200 can get a decent kit with pads and polishing goodies. From the sound of it, saving fifty dollars is just not worth it. Thanks for the info.

I think that I am going to go with the porter. 200 can get a decent kit with pads and polishing goodies. From the sound of it, saving fifty dollars is just not worth it. Thanks for the info.
Just ask Megan on Autogeek about the System One Pro Kit. It is simply worth every penny! Believe me, it really is good stuff! I will be doing a full detail on my car on Monday so I will take pictures and hopefully (crosses fingers) I will be able to showcase it if I get a computer to upload the pictures to. $90 for the kit, and just spend the rest on the polisher. Harbor Freight has one for $25, or if you want, go look for a good DeWalt on sale for less than $150 and you got yourself a combo that will tackle just about anything!

I am not saying it is a win-all solution, but it is without a doubt, the best deal when it comes to needing everything to polishing out your paint considering the quality of it all!

Just ask Megan on Autogeek about the System One Pro Kit. It is simply worth every penny! Believe me, it really is good stuff! I will be doing a full detail on my car on Monday so I will take pictures and hopefully (crosses fingers) I will be able to showcase it if I get a computer to upload the pictures to. $90 for the kit, and just spend the rest on the polisher. Harbor Freight has one for $25, or if you want, go look for a good DeWalt on sale for less than $150 and you got yourself a combo that will tackle just about anything!

I am not saying it is a win-all solution, but it is without a doubt, the best deal when it comes to needing everything to polishing out your paint considering the quality of it all!

would you recommend this as the only tool to start a beginner in detailing? compared to say, spending the $200 to buy a PC and a bunch of various pads...and maybe a couple of products too.

I'm pretty convinced that the system one kit would be perfect for a n00b looking to remove swirls, but wouldn't you have way more options with either a PC/UDM and various pads, and then slowly build up products? It seems like you have more expandability and options by going that route, than putting $90 into one kit.

I'm eagerly looking forward to your pictures of the system one detail....I may end up pulling the trigger and just getting the harbor freight rotary. I assume it's safe to use, even a beginner, since it's only at 1000-1500 rpms? No chance I could burn the paint?

for the system one you will have to have a PC anyways.

for the system one you will have to have a PC anyways.

actually, I think it doesn't work with some of the PCs. Something due to the way the wool/finishing pad attaches the machine. Rotary is the recommended tool to use with the System One. One of the vendors actually sells system one prepackaged with a rotary.

This is the rotary I am using:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92623

for the system one you will have to have a PC anyways.

What makes you say that? I don't even own a PC anymore (sold mine). For my needs, I just don't have the use for it since I am only taking care of my car. If you are detailer, than sure, a PC/UDM might be a good tool to have handy, but that isn't the situation right now.

The chances of you burning through the paint with a rotary if you have even the slightest bit of common sense is pretty low. Just keep the machine at a max speed of setting 4 (2000rpm) as these will bog down a lot making it more like 1500-1800 rpm, and don't put a lot of pressure on the machine; let it do the work! That with the very forgiving setup pad on the System One kit, I really don't think you will burn through the paint. You REALLY have to try to do that.

As for the expandability issue, the truth is if you do get a new type of polish, you need to get a whole new set of pads to use that, and if you go for edge pads (which means no backing plate), you actually save costs because you don't need a new backing plate for every new size of pad. Either way, you will be buying new pads for every new polish, so it really doesn't make a difference either way. Remember, the System One kit uses an Edge adapter and pads, if that helps explain that a little better.

What you will find out about the rotary is that it really isn't that scary to use, does the job A LOT faster than a PC, and you can tackle a wider variety of problems than the PC can.

i picked up my random orbital buffer from lowes for 30 or somethin. make sure its random orbital or you risk heating the paint up.

i picked up my random orbital buffer from lowes for 30 or somethin. make sure its random orbital or you risk heating the paint up.

Obviously you haven't read my previous posts. I used a $25 rotary which is the tool every one fears, used it for the first time, and I can honestly say that unless you act like a complete moron, you just simply will not burn the paint. Just take your time.


The only random orbital for under $100 that will actually do anything in terms of paint correction is the Porter Cable, otherwise if you bought one of those orbitals that I am thinking of, chances are you won't be able to do a thing with it outside of applying and removing waxes.

I have the UDM and am very disappointed with the 'fit and finish' ...I expect this on a tool from Harbor Freight. I appreciate a quality balanced tool with good fit and finish and IMO the PC is hands down better in that respect. Now ...the UDM does a great job.

>^..^<

I have the UDM and am very disappointed with the 'fit and finish' ...I expect this on a tool from Harbor Freight. I appreciate a quality balanced tool with good fit and finish and IMO the PC is hands down better in that respect. Now ...the UDM does a great job.

>^..^<
You might want to check out the Meguiar's new polisher. I have been hearing great things about it, especially in it's build quality.

WOW. I thought that this thread was dead a long time ago, but hear I am and it is back!!! Good thing too. Because my paint is in bad shape. When I bought the car it was overcast and rainy and it is only in the last week that I have been able to see it in sunlight.....MY GOD I NEED HELP!

I am buying a kit with my tax reutrn and will be posting pics. This thread has been good for info thogh.

Any insight on product packages. I think that I am set on a PC or UDM. Just want to know the best place to get a deal with pads/products.

I have a random orbital polisher from Giroit's Garage that I'm very happy with - I think its very similar to the PC and UDM - the fit and finish of the GG polisher is very good - I've been using it for several months now and I'm really pleased!