How safe is machine polishing?

brydo666

For years I used to take pride in giving my car a deep clean twice a year - usually consisting of the minute details in fuel flap, door shuts etc followed by a clay all over, hand polish with SRP then a couple of coatings of collinite. The gear is all still there but I've since lost interest. Some photos of my old rides;

2009 Seat Leon FR CR TDI 170
2007 VW Passat SEL PD TDI 170
2004 VW Passat SE PD TDI 130

So I'm picking up a second car as a runabout at the weekend that I got a real bargain on with one with only 40K on the clock, FSH and an interior like brand new... downside, it's scratched all over. Not damage or deep scratches but where the previous owners nails have missed the handle over the years or their bag has sat on the roof. I'm confident they'll machine polish out but I've never used a machine polisher.

I've seen the posts on DW about getting a panel and practising but realistically that isn't going to happen - how safe is machine polishing with a DA by someone who understands the risks of not keeping it moving and burning the paint?

I'm thinking for around £100 (Entry level DA   Compound) and a few hours over a few weekends I could make a real difference to the runaround car. It's a 2009 Polo 9N3 in dark blue. If I can't make it good it's no big deal given I paid way below the going rate, but I wouldn't mind turning it around if I can.

Thoughts from those with experience?

un1eash

Its very safe, search youtube for junkman2000. He goes on a bit but has some very good tutorials for beginners. I started with buying this kit...
DAS-6 PRO - Meguiars #105 #205 & Chemical Guys Hex Logic Kit - Clean Your Car

Has everything you need to get started. My old GT86 was full of swirls and marks but after a couple hours...
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                       

Crafty

I haven't done much but provided you don't go for harsh pads and compounds and then attack it with vigor you'll be fine. I'd get a couple of compounds and pads, start out with something that has a mild cut and see how it goes, if you aren't clearing the defects step it up. You can even use SRP, but just be aware that will fill rather than correct (no matter how good it looks..)

mjn

As it's a dark coloured car, watch out for holograms.

But yes, get a panel to practice on. I picked up a metallic black fiesta bonnet for £20 from the scrap yard!

dacads

Get yourself a DAS6PRO off in2detailing for £100.

For compound and pads I went with scholl s20 and scholl honey and purple pads.. although I have a BMW and next time would use the navy blue pad to remove the deeper scratches.

KelvinS1965

I think that with a DA and medium pads/polish then you'd have to make a concerted effort to burn through. Just avoid working on edges and you should be fine.

I have managed to polish through on a car myself, but this was using a rotary polisher on cellulose paint that I'd only sprayed a few weeks earlier, so I had to re-do that panel...lesson learnt though.

dacads

I agree about the edges, I mean a DA slows down on its own of course but you still have to be careful around door frames etc where there are gaps. I admit to chipping a few areas but nothing a touchup kit won't sort out. Lesson learned for next time.

For me the most tedious part of it was taping up the lights etc!