Car polishing - by hand or electric?

[idej_z4]

I'm a keen car detailer, but have always polished my cars by hand. I'm wondering about getting an electric one but where do you start, is it worth it, and how much do you need to spend to get a half decent one? Any advice / tips would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and as I've already had the 'this post is useless without images' here is a shot of my car post polishing (by hand).

 

[Chezsherman]

I will be interested to see what comes of this post because also thought about a machine polish but was always worried about damaging paint work from what I've heard people say in the past that it can be easy done.

 

[Baza]

I will be interested to see what comes of this post because also thought about a machine polish but was always worried about damaging paint work from what I've heard people say in the past that it can be easy done.

Yes same thoughts , so come on all you machine polishers give us the facts.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, you need a da polisher (dual action) with these it's virtually impossible to cause damage, unlike the rotary polisher which unless used by an expert can burn through your paint in a jiffy.
I've got a da & it removes swirls that hand polishing would have taken an eternity to achieve.
Tons of info on utube with tutorials on use, good accessaries for the car enthusiast imho
Rob

 

[mj2k]

Hi, you need a da polisher (dual action) with these it's virtually impossible to cause damage, unlike the rotary polisher which unless used by an expert can burn through your paint in a jiffy.
I've got a da & it removes swirls that hand polishing would have taken an eternity to achieve.
Tons of info on utube with tutorials on use, good accessaries for the car enthusiast imho
Rob

Fully agree, was in the same position a year ago & purchased the DAS6 Pro, with megs microfibre pads. First time I've ever used one, watched a load of tutorials on the web & it was simple.

A little nerve wracking the first time you take what sounds like a power drill and put it on your paint though.

You won't be disappointed with the results, the swirl removal was perfect and whilst takes a good amount of time to do the car, the results were well worth it. I will be doing the wife's when we get some dry weather, and to give you an idea of how little risk there is, I will be doing my brand new car when it arrives as convinced the dealer will have added some swirls!

 

[srhutch]

A DA polisher is always handy, if only for buffing.

Wouldn't be without mine now. Just wish the BMW paint wasn't quite so hard.