Reasons for polishing a car
What is the need for complex, expensive repairs to restore the paintwork of a passenger car? Under such, including minor, circumstances:
Your car is not in the garage but on the street all year round. It is watered by rains, the enamel warms up the sun, the coating dulls or partially discolored.
On the crumbled asphalt, overtaking cars throw sand and fine gravel onto your "wheels" with their wheels. Hence, many scratches on the paint or varnish, up to damage to the primer.
If you are involved in a traffic accident. This is the case about which the traffic police say that "only the metal suffered": dents, cracks, breaks. Here it is not up to polishing, but professional straightening, welding, priming, painting is necessary.
But if the sander is stored in your garage, and you have practiced on the body more than once, doing both sanding and polishing. In addition, we stocked up with auxiliary equipment and accessories, as well as the necessary "chemistry" - degreaser, pastes, polish, car shampoos. And all such regular operations will cost you less than a purchased grinder and service at a service station.
The polishing machine will not be "idle". She processes not only the body, but also removes chips and scratches on the headlights, rear lighting devices. In the apartment, you mechanize the rubbing of the parquet floor, walls with things. Polisher manufacturers have taken these points into account as well.
Ergonomics of the sander
Beginners in the restoration of car paintwork will not be able to work with an inconvenient unit for a long time. Take a closer look at three main models:
- the working unit is located at an angle to the body;
- conventional design, like a drill, with symmetrically located handles;
- straight, with one handle and with the ability to connect an auxiliary.
The first ones are often purchased. Their polishing disc is attached at 90 degrees to the body. And it is more convenient for them to work even with large polishing spots. And one more preference: reliable manufacturers such as Russian Zubr or Interskol, Bosch, Hitachi or Makita - look at the photos of polishing machines from these companies.
Peculiarities
At the time of making a purchase, experts advise paying attention to such parameters as:
- power;
- dimensions and weight;
- disc diameter.
Sanders of this type are considered hobbyists because they are not designed for complex tasks. But even among them there is a classification by functionality. If the tool is used often, then it is better to choose a machine that demonstrates great performance.
A tool with low power cannot be used for a long time, so it will need to be given a break. Weak power can range from 400 to 800 watts. Professional equipment never demonstrates such indicators, and mini-cars just fit in.
Models differ in their low weight. It depends on the manufacturer what the mass of the finished unit is. If the instrument is used by a person with good physical fitness, then it may be heavier than if purchased for use by a teenager or a woman.
The cost of a household polishing machine ranges from 2 to 5 thousand rubles. Domestic tools are slightly cheaper than imported ones, but this does not mean that they are inferior in quality or reliability. Domestic manufacturers do not increase the cost of their products, and it is quite easy to find spare parts for such units.Regarding maintainability, the price of some polishing machines is such that it is easier to replace the tool than to repair it, especially for a Chinese or Korean product.
For how to make a mini sander with your own hands, see the next video.
Using a polishing machine
The rotary machine has a trigger (starter) for starting the machine, a trigger lock button (to fix the starter during polishing) and a speed controller for the machine. Most quality clippers have a soft start function. This means that when the start button is pressed, rotation begins gradually and the rotation speed depends on how hard the starter is pressed. If you press it halfway, then the circle will not rotate at full force, then press 75% - the rotation will accelerate, press completely - it will be maximum. How can this be used? Incomplete pressing of the start button may be required in order to evenly distribute the abrasive paste applied to the body. Then you can set the desired speed, fix the starter and start polishing. It must be remembered that the rotary machine heats the surface if it is held in one place for a long time, so the circle must constantly move.
How to choose?
First of all, you need to focus on the available budget. Both models work well, there are no total differences between them. However, UPM-180 / 1300EM has a wider functionality, for which, accordingly, you will need to pay extra.
If you do not need additional functions, feel free to choose UPM-180 / 1300E. Before purchasing, be sure to check if there is a license for the product. Few of such machines are forged, but there are still unscrupulous sellers. It is better to buy the product from official representatives or from large reliable electronics supermarkets.
In the next video you will find an overview of the Interskol UPM-180E polishing grinder.