UDM or PC?
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UDM or PC?
Which one do you recommend? for general upkeep... Mods please chime in. I know they are around the same price range, but which one would you pick? I want to use the edge pads as well. I just bought a bunch of products from autogeek minus a polisher. Thanks in advance and thank you for all your reviews and help.
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From: Newberry, South Carolina
At the current moment the UDM is not recommended to be used with the edge pads bc of a problem with the counterweight and the Edge adapter. They are resolving the problem.
Now my opinion on both machines is this.
The PC is great you dont have to worrys about screwing up your paint but it usually does take a while/multiple passes to get defects out. For the hard defects where you need to apply heavy pressure the pc bogs over anything other than light pressure.
The UDM is a PC on steriods IMO. Its very slightly larger/ heavier but also has something like 20% more power. The extra power in the UDM makes a huge difference. It generates more heat in the pads which helps break down the polish faster, which corrects defects quicker.
They are both around the same price and both can use the same pads/backing plates/ect. I would go with the UDM. It was made by enthusist for enthusist. If you have any questions about the UDM feel free to go here http://autopia.org/forum/ultimate-detailing-machine/ and ask the guy who built it any questions.
Let me know if you wanna know anything else about the unit as i have one and have used it multiple times now.
Now my opinion on both machines is this.
The PC is great you dont have to worrys about screwing up your paint but it usually does take a while/multiple passes to get defects out. For the hard defects where you need to apply heavy pressure the pc bogs over anything other than light pressure.
The UDM is a PC on steriods IMO. Its very slightly larger/ heavier but also has something like 20% more power. The extra power in the UDM makes a huge difference. It generates more heat in the pads which helps break down the polish faster, which corrects defects quicker.
They are both around the same price and both can use the same pads/backing plates/ect. I would go with the UDM. It was made by enthusist for enthusist. If you have any questions about the UDM feel free to go here http://autopia.org/forum/ultimate-detailing-machine/ and ask the guy who built it any questions.
Let me know if you wanna know anything else about the unit as i have one and have used it multiple times now.
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From: Newton, MA
I have a PC now and am thinking of getting a UDM, but whenever a new product comes out I like to wait a while so that they can get all the bugs worked out.
Having read many threads on the UDM since it's release there are a few bugs/quality issues to be worked out. If you can wait a couple of months for all of them to be fixed then I would buy a UDM for it's added power.
Having read many threads on the UDM since it's release there are a few bugs/quality issues to be worked out. If you can wait a couple of months for all of them to be fixed then I would buy a UDM for it's added power.
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ir13 man thanks for the 411 on both machines!!!
mikeyC..thanks for the words of wisdom about waiting(plus the million amazing reviews you had given all of us...I based all my whole order from autogeek from your reviews).
RBR...I feel for ya on the order mix up...ouch expensive..hopefully you can return the items.
Ubetit...thanks for the information.
This forum is IMHO the best on s2ki.....this forum is why i'm going to become a member.
Thanks for all your help!!!
mikeyC..thanks for the words of wisdom about waiting(plus the million amazing reviews you had given all of us...I based all my whole order from autogeek from your reviews).
RBR...I feel for ya on the order mix up...ouch expensive..hopefully you can return the items.
Ubetit...thanks for the information.
This forum is IMHO the best on s2ki.....this forum is why i'm going to become a member.
Thanks for all your help!!!
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From: Newton, MA
Originally Posted by RBR,Jul 11 2007, 12:10 PM
Crap, I ordered a UDM along with the edge pads and now I find out they won't work together.
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I'm a professional paint polisher and have both the UDM and PC. Well I've got about 5 PCs, and a Makita Rotary Buffer, etc...
Both the UDM and PC weigh the same---6.7 pounds. There are minor variations in operation between the two units. The rotary speed dial is inverted on the UDM, the slide switch isn't as recessed so it's easier to accidentally trigger, the counterweight housing is larger which might prevent access to tighter spots--but it's only about 1.5" larger in circumference which isn't much, the cord is also about a foot shorter on the UDM and that means if you're 5'7" or shorter it's not a problem. When you put the cord over your shoulder and attach it to an extension cord, the connector sits on the ground. If you're like me--5'11" or taller, the connector hangs and that's a little annoying.
Overall they feel the same, but the UDM will heat up the paint almost to the same degree as the rotary--in that you can polish a panel until it's so hot that you almost burn your finger. That means it's able to work harder than a PC, but also a bit more dangerous for those that aren't careful.
The UDM prefers to keep spinning when you bear down on it, while the PC backs off--that's one of the safety features of the PC and drawbacks because you can't apply pressure and have the pad spinning all the time with the PC. It will stop on the UDM, but takes more effort.
When it comes to doing work on your paint, if have a PC and are considering a rotary buffer, the UDM is an excellent alternative as an upgrade to your PC.
Both the UDM and PC weigh the same---6.7 pounds. There are minor variations in operation between the two units. The rotary speed dial is inverted on the UDM, the slide switch isn't as recessed so it's easier to accidentally trigger, the counterweight housing is larger which might prevent access to tighter spots--but it's only about 1.5" larger in circumference which isn't much, the cord is also about a foot shorter on the UDM and that means if you're 5'7" or shorter it's not a problem. When you put the cord over your shoulder and attach it to an extension cord, the connector sits on the ground. If you're like me--5'11" or taller, the connector hangs and that's a little annoying.
Overall they feel the same, but the UDM will heat up the paint almost to the same degree as the rotary--in that you can polish a panel until it's so hot that you almost burn your finger. That means it's able to work harder than a PC, but also a bit more dangerous for those that aren't careful.
The UDM prefers to keep spinning when you bear down on it, while the PC backs off--that's one of the safety features of the PC and drawbacks because you can't apply pressure and have the pad spinning all the time with the PC. It will stop on the UDM, but takes more effort.
When it comes to doing work on your paint, if have a PC and are considering a rotary buffer, the UDM is an excellent alternative as an upgrade to your PC.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Newton, MA
Originally Posted by OctaneGuy,Jul 11 2007, 07:51 PM
I'm a professional paint polisher and have both the UDM and PC. Well I've got about 5 PCs, and a Makita Rotary Buffer, etc...
Both the UDM and PC weigh the same---6.7 pounds. There are minor variations in operation between the two units. The rotary speed dial is inverted on the UDM, the slide switch isn't as recessed so it's easier to accidentally trigger, the counterweight housing is larger which might prevent access to tighter spots--but it's only about 1.5" larger in circumference which isn't much, the cord is also about a foot shorter on the UDM and that means if you're 5'7" or shorter it's not a problem. When you put the cord over your shoulder and attach it to an extension cord, the connector sits on the ground. If you're like me--5'11" or taller, the connector hangs and that's a little annoying.
Overall they feel the same, but the UDM will heat up the paint almost to the same degree as the rotary--in that you can polish a panel until it's so hot that you almost burn your finger. That means it's able to work harder than a PC, but also a bit more dangerous for those that aren't careful.
The UDM prefers to keep spinning when you bear down on it, while the PC backs off--that's one of the safety features of the PC and drawbacks because you can't apply pressure and have the pad spinning all the time with the PC. It will stop on the UDM, but takes more effort.
When it comes to doing work on your paint, if have a PC and are considering a rotary buffer, the UDM is an excellent alternative as an upgrade to your PC.
Both the UDM and PC weigh the same---6.7 pounds. There are minor variations in operation between the two units. The rotary speed dial is inverted on the UDM, the slide switch isn't as recessed so it's easier to accidentally trigger, the counterweight housing is larger which might prevent access to tighter spots--but it's only about 1.5" larger in circumference which isn't much, the cord is also about a foot shorter on the UDM and that means if you're 5'7" or shorter it's not a problem. When you put the cord over your shoulder and attach it to an extension cord, the connector sits on the ground. If you're like me--5'11" or taller, the connector hangs and that's a little annoying.
Overall they feel the same, but the UDM will heat up the paint almost to the same degree as the rotary--in that you can polish a panel until it's so hot that you almost burn your finger. That means it's able to work harder than a PC, but also a bit more dangerous for those that aren't careful.
The UDM prefers to keep spinning when you bear down on it, while the PC backs off--that's one of the safety features of the PC and drawbacks because you can't apply pressure and have the pad spinning all the time with the PC. It will stop on the UDM, but takes more effort.
When it comes to doing work on your paint, if have a PC and are considering a rotary buffer, the UDM is an excellent alternative as an upgrade to your PC.
