I just purchased one 7424sp kit plus 3 more polishing pads for a grand total of $138, from Coastal Tool. I purchased additional pads since the instructions did not saying anything about terry cloth cover. Can I still use a terry cloth cover over the pad to avoid changing dirty pads?

It does not seem to do a better job than hand polish. When I hand polish my car, I change the towel once it is dirty. With the polisher, I just cannot change pads too many times. Is that why hand-polish is better or I just need more practice with the polisher?

David

A clean polishing medium is needed to get good results by hand or machine. A machine is a bit more forgiving, but still needs a clean pad to work its best.

The dirty pad is less noticeable but the effect is the same as by hand. Notice how when you are trying to remove something with a borderline rag it becomes more difficult. The orbital has the same problem but its less noticeable because the machine is doing the work vs your shoulders/arms/hands.

I prefer to have a huge stack of clean towels/rags/diaper cloths on hand and the same goes for orbital pads. It makes doing the job right so much easier. Plus, the more often you switch the less the chances of getting any unwanted grit or whatever in contact with the finish. (causing swirls)

Hope this helps...Lee

PS I've found that for #9, #7, waxes (and the 3M equivalents) you can do just as well (if not better) by hand vs an orbital. The orbital can speed things up or (mostly) take a load off your labor efforts.

Lee,

Thank you very much.

David

Change to the Meguiars W64DA Velcro Backing Plate and get plenty of Meguiars W8006 Soft Buff Polishing Pads and/or Griots ( www.griotsgarage.com ) velcro backed polishing pads.

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 Wheels/DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 from TireRack
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ATP FLASH Wheels/YOKAHAMA AVS dB from TireRack
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER

</UL>

I have almost completed rubbing out my '85 500SL. I did most of it by hand but a sore back sent me to the random orbital buffer. It seems that with a thin compound the buffer works well but with a heavier compound, it doesn't seem as good. Maybe I am just too fearful. The scratches and water spots came out better by hand. I used 3M Perfect-it Fine cut followed by 3M Swirl remover then McGuires 26 wax. It looks great except for blemishes that need much more than compound.

Steve

Steve,
I've had good results spot treating problem areas with Meguiars #9 or the 3M equivalent by hand. Take your clean fingertip and apply a dab on the offending spot (guessing to be no bigger than a coin...say perhaps the size of a bird dropping). Apply/remove in multiple cycles until you start getting results. Just keep your fingernail (trimmed) and/or clear of the paint.

Hope this helps...Lee