Machine Polishing - What Do I Need?

The place to pick up tips on bringing that showroom shine back to your E30.

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StuBeeDoo
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Post Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:04 pm

OK, I have an electric polisher collecting dust in my garage that has never been out of its box since Wor Lass presented it to me 5 years ago.
I've decided to have a go at polishing the roof and bonnet of my Touring. Both have "skid marks" on where the local cats have taken-up residence on the car at various times (the car only ever lives in the garage when it's immobile). These don't appear to be anything other than minor damage to the lacquer.
So, what do I need to do to get the scratches out? Please bear in mind that all I've ever done to any of my cars is wash them regularly and wax polish them by hand once (or maybe twice, if they're lucky) a year.
What potions/lotions do I need to use to get the scratches out and is there anything I need to be aware/scared of using the electric polisher?
TIA
Stuart.
This is why I no longer drive an E30......

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e30den
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Post Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:31 pm

it,ll be a good idea to get some one give you some tuition or have a look over on detailing world
you,ll find a written guide on there. hth
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Rickz
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:40 pm

Yeah I've heard its not easy and it is possible to make it end up looking worse cuz you could cause some haulograms or something on it.
march109
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:58 pm

Get a spare panel and practise on that first trust me, plenty of instructional vidoes on YouTube, just get one for the right type of polisher!!
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Rav335uk
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:05 pm

Be carefull not to "Burn" the paint with that.
Normally plenty of water is needed with the cutting paste "G3" is the best. :cool:
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town325i
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:10 pm

take a pic of the type of polisher it is if its one of those rac type thing leave it in the box
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StuBeeDoo
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:58 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote:is there anything I need to be aware/scared of using the electric polisher?
Thanks lads. :thumb:
I've checked on Detailing World and it's put me off DIY-ing it. I'll have to find someone local to do it for me. I'd rather pay an expert to do it properly than f*** it up myself.
My polisher will be going on eBay.
This is why I no longer drive an E30......

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town325i
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Post Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:03 pm

have a g realy its not that hard to be honest with you all you need to do is use lots of water and dont go to close to the edges for to long ive polished cars for nearly 10 years now and ive only burnt paint off on a hand full of cars this was with no training
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