edgeydt50 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 So after the last few years of using SRP and a few other 'products' i bit the bullet and bought the kestral DAS-6 with the sonus kit. I first started on the old micra on our drive to see how the machine worked and to get used to the speeds etc. Next job was my girlfriends 206 which she has had for about a month, i chose this as my car is silver and thought green would be an easier colour to start on. The car was a right state so i would have been impressed with any results really, although i was amazed. I went over most the car with a couple of passes of each polish/pad combination. The swirl marks have completely gone and most of the scratches too, a couple of deep ones remain but im happy with that, and she is very pleased. Excuse me in the pictures but the other half took them while i was working. Once finished it was coated with a layer of chemical guys wet mirror finish and the car looks great. My advice to any body thinking about buying a machine to polish their car is do it, its not as scary as its made out its very satisfying and i found it pretty enjoyable. before and once i got going Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS16 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Just be careful with the Zed mate, there wont be much between the polishing pad and the primer Fair play for doing it though, post some pics of the Zed once its done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgeydt50 Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 thanks for the tip, exactly why i practiced on a another car first. I went for the sonus kit as i read the nissan paint was soft and this was meant to be ideal. I'll be starting with a nice soft pad on the zed and taking my time, silver is a pain as im sure correction will be much harder to notice. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Looks much better. One thing I'd be careful of is that bracelet, could scratch a surface if you haven't got the cloth positioned just right to avoid bracelet/paint contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Another little tip (but you probably know) that when you are working close to the car make sure the power cord is over your shoulder! Machine polishing is satisfying. Oh and have a shot of a rotary - you will poop yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Looking good there edgeygt50, your other half must be well pleased that her car is looking shinier than the Zed....for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Looks good mate You'll be fine with a DA on the Zed, as the random orbit removes a lot of the power from it which means it cuts a lot slower than a rotary. Start with a soft pad and light cut compound and you'll be fine Also as Stew and Immy said, watch that bracelet and cable. The cable on the Kestrel is quite short, but on DetailingWorld there is a chap that sells uber flexible cable by the meter. I bought 10m off him and it makes such a difference. You can run around the whole car from one power socket and nicely put it over your shoulder. Well worth it for the £10-15 it costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuck Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Looks good Edgey, you'll have to show us pics when you get around to doing the Zed! I found that a light pad and cut is all I needed and it hardly took any work at all to sort out the car. I was under the impression when I was learning that I'd need to machine polish 2-3 times a year but thats not the case. Most of the work is done applying the wax and keeping that topped up and corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Looks good Edgey, you'll have to show us pics when you get around to doing the Zed! I found that a light pad and cut is all I needed and it hardly took any work at all to sort out the car. I was under the impression when I was learning that I'd need to machine polish 2-3 times a year but thats not the case. Most of the work is done applying the wax and keeping that topped up and corrected. You shouldnt have to machine correct it very often at all after the initial correction, using the 2BM method of washing will keep away the swirls. You can however use the machine to apply non-abrasive(ish) polish such as AG SRP every 6 months to keep it looking tip top and also use for applying wax if you like. You shouldnt do correction often, thats the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilsheepshagga_turbo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 good stuff buddy... im currently in the process of doing the same thing myself!! bought the das-6 and sonus kit with a few other things.. but the 206 is looking spot on.. well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 i've got a porter cable and recently ordered a kestrel, will have to see how they compare the kestrel looks very good value, i got this http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=KES-DAS6KIT1 and you get free delivery !! the kestrel on its own is only £75 ! i like menzerna polishes with the pc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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