...without damaging the paint?

I'd like to buy one but for the price, i'm wondering how much use i'll get out of it. Also, I have another car that has terrible water spots on it... on the glass and the paint. They are so severe that claybar doesn't really do sh*t. Can these be polished out with the PC also?

 

That's not really a fair question. You are certanly correct that by using a buffer, you are removing a micro-layer of paint, but it's more about what products you're using than the buffer itself.

I'm a proponent of using a buffer when it's needed to remove swirls, water spots, etc. But as for applying and removing wax without any polishing characteristics - better to use by hand.

If you've ever used sandpaper on wood, you know that there are different "grits" that do different amounts of work. Coarse grits for removing a lot of wood, or fine grits for doing small detail work. Same goes for polishes. Use the "grit" that's appropriate for the given task.

As far as whether the PC can get rid of the spots - most likely the right combination of pads and polishes will work for you if you're patient enough.

 

and actually i think it depends on what you will use the machine for...
i often use mine to apply and / or remove protectants (wax or synthetics). this use should have no negative effect on the clear coat.

and swirl removers or paint cleaners really do not take down enough to worry about. i have never known anyone who used a swirl remover each time they washed the car, but i guess you could! then you just might eventually eat up the clear coat in a few years.
yes, try a good polish on those water spots- use a glass polish on the glass... and let us know how it goes

 

I don't know about Wanabe, but after the local folks saw my car they all wanted me to use the PC on their cars! I have shown several people how to use it and they subsequently purchased their own.

I use mine to apply wax and polish. I also use it to remove the same wax and polish. If I really want my car to look fantastic, I use it to buff off the instant detailer spray and that's when it's ready to show.

I suppose you could polish through the clearcoat, but I haven't heard of anyone actually doing that, yet. I use mine to remove the swirl marks about once a year and it works great. I like to use the 3M Swirl Mark Remover, which is a very mild abrasive.

One of the best purchases I have made for my car.

 

I've probably done the more extreme PC'ing to my S and I will swear by the ease of use and brillant results.

 

Some older cars don't have clearcoat though.

I think the question depends on the clearcoat, paintjob, pads used, and material used. Too many variables.

 

Well, I went at it on my brother's 91 Accord beater, intending to do damage, if at all possible. It's my test car and I've gotten a good idea of what the PC can do and can't do.

Today I used a wool compounding pad and Meguiar's Fine Cut (machine use only) compounding liquid. I cranked it up to 6 (it should go to 11) and ran over the surface four times, each time really working it in. I then went at it with three passes of polish.

No damage, whatsoever. Sort of disappointing.

Of course, it also didn't affect most of the deeper swirl marks, scratches and other paint problems. I think if you really wanted to do damage or remove seriously deep paint defects, you'd have to use a rough or medium cut cleaner and pad combination, have lots of patience, or use a radial/circular buffer.

Removing minor swirls from my 2000 S2000's trunklid took about 3 applications of 3M SMR with a polishing pad. I feel quite comfortable using this machine regularly on any finish. Even a compounding pad and fine cut compounder (diminishing, like Meguiars) will take some serious effort to damage or remove a lot of clearcoat.

Of course, I'm just starting out and I wouldn't recommend abusing your S's finish

 

Wow, 6? I set mine to 3 1/2 or 4...

 

Sounds more like a rotary? Mine only goes to 6, the Porter cable one.

 

On my car I keep it under 4, but as I said, I was trying to do damage and wasn't able to. It does only go to 6, but it SHOULD go to 11