best hand applied polish

KiokenM3 · 08-31-2010, 12:04 AM

just like the title says. i dont know how to use a rotary so i need something that works great when applied by hand. thanks in advanced

DadzM4 · 08-31-2010, 07:42 AM

Zaino - nothing better IMO

quality_sound · 08-31-2010, 07:50 AM

Just buy a Porter Cable 7424. If you can damage your paint with one of those you're in an elite group. Stay away from rotaries, but a good random orbital is gold.

Suprane · 08-31-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

Just buy a Porter Cable 7424. If you can damage your paint with one of those you're in an elite group. Stay away from rotaries, but a good random orbital is gold.

+1.
Here's a similar thread that was posted recently.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422156

alpineweissM3 · 08-31-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadzM3

Zaino - nothing better IMO

+1

KiokenM3 · 08-31-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

Just buy a Porter Cable 7424. If you can damage your paint with one of those you're in an elite group. Stay away from rotaries, but a good random orbital is gold.

a PC isnt dangerous to someone who doesnt know how to use it?

BCA · 08-31-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiokenM3

a PC isnt dangerous to someone who doesnt know how to use it?

It is virtually impossible to do permanent damage with a PC. It's a breeze to learn how to use anyway, so damage shouldn't really be a concern. Just watch a few videos on the forum, youtube, detailing sites, etc. and you will be fine. I HIGHLY recommend using a machine for polishing and I'm sure many others will concur.

I use and love the Menzerna polishes.

sawzall · 09-01-2010, 12:08 AM

I'd recommend Menzerna PowerLock, it's pretty easy to apply either by hand or machine. You might also want to check out Blackfire Wet Diamond there are a lot of people who swear by it on the forums.

For polishes, check out Meguiars M105 and M205 polishes, but without a machine, be prepared for some tough slogging.

BCA · 09-01-2010, 08:45 AM

The OP asked about polishes, not sealants.

Menzerna Power Lock is an awesome sealant, by the way. I just applied it to my M a couple weeks ago and the stuff is SLICK. I've also heard good things about Blackfire Wet Diamond but have not tried it.

dr.jay · 09-01-2010, 09:18 AM

I'm kinda confused about your "polish" Do you mean you are trying to take out scratches and swirls?? If so Zaino wont do shit unless it is there AIO. If you try polishing the entire car by hand you'd better be build like The Hulk. Get a Porter Cable, I did it will pay for itself after the 1st detail, grab some M105 and M205 and your good to go. Its harder to fuck up a cup of coffee than your paint with the PC.

DadzM4 · 09-01-2010, 09:22 AM

Zaino has a scratch and swirl remover that works well.

Hawk Lax · 09-01-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray23

How about Black Fire polish?

Blackfire polish is more of a paint cleaner then true polish, no real abrasives to speak of. But its fine for use by hand just don't expect any correction from it. If you going by hand Autogym super resin polish or a glaze is probably the way to go as they will hide light defects and swirls. Your really not going to get any true correction from a hand application regardless of the product.

KiokenM3 · 09-01-2010, 04:52 PM

my car doesnt have much swirls at all. i drive the car 1-2 times a wk and it gets washed at least 1x a wk. so i think whatever swirls i do have will be handled by a hand polish, glaze and sealant nicely

Singletrack · 09-01-2010, 08:45 PM

Meguiar's Scratch-x is idiot proof. It uses abrasives that break down as you rub. If you just have to touch up a scratch here or there, then that will work fine. If you have to do an entire car, your arm is going to be TIRED.

It's basically impossible to damage your paint with the porter cable as others have said. It will stop spinning if you apply too much pressure. Just tape off the trim and try not to splatter. As mentioned, there are a bunch of online videos that explain how to use it.

KiokenM3 · 09-01-2010, 10:08 PM

hmmm maybe ill give the PC a try sometime, but for now ill stick with the hand polishes

quality_sound · 09-06-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiokenM3

a PC isnt dangerous to someone who doesnt know how to use it?

Nope. Because it doesn't spin anywhere near as fast as a rotary and it's a random orbit it doesn't generate anywhere enough heat to damage the paint. I've used 3M PI II (a true compound, very aggressive stuff) on an orange pad for a good 10 seconds on a particularly tough spot with no problems. You do that with a rotary and you'll likely be staring at bare metal.

quality_sound · 09-06-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Meguiar's Scratch-x is idiot proof. It uses abrasives that break down as you rub. If you just have to touch up a scratch here or there, then that will work fine. If you have to do an entire car, your arm is going to be TIRED.

It's basically impossible to damage your paint with the porter cable as others have said. It will stop spinning if you apply too much pressure. Just tape off the trim and try not to splatter. As mentioned, there are a bunch of online videos that explain how to use it.

All polished have abrasives that break down.

Singletrack · 09-06-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

All polished have abrasives that break down.

Here's the quote form Meguiar's since we like to split hairs:

"ScratchX® 2.0 uses diminishing abrasive™ technology to safely and effectively remove fine scratches, swirls, and oxidation. As you work ScratchX 2.0 into the surface of your vehicle, the abrasives diminish and your paint surface is polished to reveal brilliant color and clarity. "

...and there is a huge difference. Many polishes are not suitable for application by hand.

08-31-2010, 12:04 AM	#1
KiokenM3 Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,504 Posts Drives: LIFTED JEEP JK! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (4)	best hand applied polish just like the title says. i dont know how to use a rotary so i need something that works great when applied by hand. thanks in advanced __________________ Gintani SC ST2+, OE tuned, RPI GT EXHAUST=601WHP, 396TORQUE on 91pump. DYNOJET STD CF. SOLD
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08-31-2010, 07:42 AM	#2
DadzM4 Lieutenant 17 Rep 518 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (2)	Zaino - nothing better IMO __________________ AW M4 \| Black Full Merino Leather \| Driver Assistance Package \| Lighting Package \| HK Sound \| Concierge Services \| Enhanced BT \| 6 MT
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08-31-2010, 07:50 AM	#3
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	Just buy a Porter Cable 7424. If you can damage your paint with one of those you're in an elite group. Stay away from rotaries, but a good random orbital is gold.
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09-01-2010, 12:08 AM	#8
sawzall Major 50 Rep 1,285 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 911S [10.00] 2011 911 GT3 RS [0.00]	I'd recommend Menzerna PowerLock, it's pretty easy to apply either by hand or machine. You might also want to check out Blackfire Wet Diamond there are a lot of people who swear by it on the forums. For polishes, check out Meguiars M105 and M205 polishes, but without a machine, be prepared for some tough slogging. Last edited by sawzall; 09-06-2010 at 01:06 PM.. Reason: Sorry: Will read subject twice before posting!
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09-01-2010, 08:45 AM	#9
BCA Captain 22 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	The OP asked about polishes, not sealants. Menzerna Power Lock is an awesome sealant, by the way. I just applied it to my M a couple weeks ago and the stuff is SLICK. I've also heard good things about Blackfire Wet Diamond but have not tried it. __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
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09-01-2010, 09:18 AM	#10
dr.jay Lieutenant 14 Rep 465 Posts Drives: 2011 135 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Greenwood Always Up to No Good iTrader: (1)	I'm kinda confused about your "polish" Do you mean you are trying to take out scratches and swirls?? If so Zaino wont do shit unless it is there AIO. If you try polishing the entire car by hand you'd better be build like The Hulk. Get a Porter Cable, I did it will pay for itself after the 1st detail, grab some M105 and M205 and your good to go. Its harder to fuck up a cup of coffee than your paint with the PC. __________________ "Barzini is dead. So is Phillip Tattallgia. Moe Green. Slacci. Cuneo. Today I settled all family business so don't tell me that you're innocent. Admit what you did"
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09-01-2010, 09:22 AM	#11
DadzM4 Lieutenant 17 Rep 518 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (2)	Zaino has a scratch and swirl remover that works well. __________________ AW M4 \| Black Full Merino Leather \| Driver Assistance Package \| Lighting Package \| HK Sound \| Concierge Services \| Enhanced BT \| 6 MT
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09-01-2010, 04:52 PM	#13
KiokenM3 Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,504 Posts Drives: LIFTED JEEP JK! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (4)	my car doesnt have much swirls at all. i drive the car 1-2 times a wk and it gets washed at least 1x a wk. so i think whatever swirls i do have will be handled by a hand polish, glaze and sealant nicely __________________ Gintani SC ST2+, OE tuned, RPI GT EXHAUST=601WHP, 396TORQUE on 91pump. DYNOJET STD CF. SOLD
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09-01-2010, 08:45 PM	#14
Singletrack 4th down; 4th quarter? Renegade. 87 Rep 3,850 Posts Drives: 09 SSII E92 M3; 19 FG M5C Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (3)	Meguiar's Scratch-x is idiot proof. It uses abrasives that break down as you rub. If you just have to touch up a scratch here or there, then that will work fine. If you have to do an entire car, your arm is going to be TIRED. It's basically impossible to damage your paint with the porter cable as others have said. It will stop spinning if you apply too much pressure. Just tape off the trim and try not to splatter. As mentioned, there are a bunch of online videos that explain how to use it.
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09-01-2010, 10:08 PM	#15
KiokenM3 Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,504 Posts Drives: LIFTED JEEP JK! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA iTrader: (4)	hmmm maybe ill give the PC a try sometime, but for now ill stick with the hand polishes __________________ Gintani SC ST2+, OE tuned, RPI GT EXHAUST=601WHP, 396TORQUE on 91pump. DYNOJET STD CF. SOLD
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