Basic, Better, Best – Machine Polishers

Sticking with the power tools theme from last week we wanted to take a look at a handy gizmo for the serial polishers among you and something that can make your life a hell of a lot easier when it comes to extracting maximum shine from your classic. Anyone who has fully polished a car by hand will know that it’s no easy feat and can take a good chunk of effort and time. Time that can otherwise be spent actually driving the thing and so anything that can help with said task of jazzing up your paintwork is incredibly welcome.

When it comes to powered polishers there are essentially two types: rotary and dual action (DA), also known as orbital polishers. They may not appear hugely different at first glance but look closely and you’ll discover their individual characteristics. A DA polisher works by mimicking the movements of an actual person’s hand by oscillating in a random fashion and is generally easier to use and kinder to your paintwork. Orbital polishers, on the other hand, solely spin in one direction at varying speeds. These types of polisher take more skill to master as one can easily wear through the paint finish if not paying attention, especially on sharper edges of bodywork, but they can achieve a good shine much faster than their DA counterparts.

So, which type should you choose? Well, that’s all down to personal preference and budget but pick a decent model of either and you’ll soon have your pride and joy gleaming. As stated, however, there are inherent risks when attacking your car’s paintwork with power tools so we would suggest first getting to grips with your weapon of choice. Start slow and easy and test the thing out on either a spare body panel or an area of the bodywork that is perhaps not quite as conspicuous before going full send on the bonnet. You can always polish more but once that paint is gone, it’s gone for good.

Basic

It may not be a named brand but this Ginour Dual Action Car Polisher has all the features you would need in an electric polisher and all for well under £100. It’s a versatile, light weight unit with variable speed options depending on the required application. Not only that but it comes with a whole host of accessories so that you can crack straight on with shining up your pride and joy. These include various foam, waffle and wool self-adhesive pads as well as two different types of handle and a carry bag. It is a plug-in so perhaps not as portable as a cordless polisher but it will still effectively restore the lustre to your paintwork. Just pick your desired polish or cutting compound and get to work.

Better

An entry-level rotary polisher the Silverline Rotary Machine Car Polisher is a powerful and effective polisher. Another corded machine it delivers 1200W of even power via a variable speed dial. Combined with it’s large, ergonomic handle it provides great user control which is essential when using a rotary polisher to ensure safe buffing of your paint. It has a large 180mm M14 backing plate which gives great coverage and it comes with a wool polishing bonnet as well as two foam polishing pads. Like the Ginour above it’s a great price too, coming in at under £100.

Best

We’ve featured Meguiar’s products before when talking about detailing and that’s simply because they have built a reputation for quality in that particular field. The Meguiar’s MT320 dual action machine polisher is no different and while it’s the most expensive polisher on the list by far, it’s also worth every penny in our humble opinion. Marketed as a “professional grade tool” the ergonomically designed MT320 features a thumb operated dial providing speed adjustment between 3000 and 7500 rpm. It also boasts digital torque management which electronically regulates and maintains the torque and speed during use. It’s a well-balanced tool that is perfect for all of your polishing needs and comes with a foam cutting disc, a polishing disc and a finishing disc. Bid farewell to paint scratches and swirl marks for good!

There are myriad sources of information out there on how to effectively wield your chosen polisher and what products to pair it with to get the desired results so make sure to do your research before committing pad to paint. May we also suggest investing in a decent pair of sunglasses as once you’re finished polishing, your car will be so bright and shiny you’ll definitely need those Ray-Bans. Other leading brands are also available.