SHINEX- which accessories?

venk67 · Sep 29, 2011

So I have read the Do You festool your car and GOT wax's contributions, and am wondering about the accessories one would need to festool your car using a shinex.

Does the polishing pad 488342 come with the tool?

What is the sheepskin 493838 used for ? only clear coats

On my SUVs I have one with some significant paint defects and assume I would need an orange sponge 493852

Then the white pad for finer polishing 293866

then the polishing black sponge 493880

For a vehicle with just fine swirl marks the black honeycomb 493887 would work? or do you have to go thru the " grades" like with grit when sanding with sandpaper?

Can you get any of the festool polishes for autos in the USA?

DO polishing pads for other festool RO sanders attach to a shinex? eg the ro 90 pad 495625? I am not sure i would use a pad that may have been exposed to saw dust but am just curious.

Thanks Venk

tbellemare · Sep 29, 2011

The Shinex comes in a cardboard box with the side handle and the Polishing Pad, 488342.

I have read so many conflicting opinions on polishing and restoring auto paint that I am going to defer to the experts... I have my opinions though and am willing to discuss them off-line.

Tom

EDIT:
I forgot to add in my response that the Festool polishing compounds are not currently available here.

Dan C · Sep 30, 2011

As much as I love my festools, I would never use their pads for paint correction. Lake Country's are about the best out there, and I use them quite a bit. Lake Country Pads

Just like sandpaper, you need to go through the grades, but the it is not just the pad, as the combination of pad and polish/glaze/sealant/wax. There are a number of articles on dedicated detailing forums regarding compound and pad combination.

I would also highly recommend not getting anything with any dust near the pads you use on your car. It will cause more damage than you may realize.

venk67 · Sep 30, 2011

Thank you Dan. Appreciate your wisdom.

AlexThePalex · Sep 30, 2011

Dan C said:
As much as I love my festools, I would never use their pads for paint correction. Lake Country's are about the best out there, and I use them quite a bit. Lake Country Pads

I know very little about working with the Festool pads. But what's so bad about them?

Bob Marino · Sep 30, 2011

I would agree with Tom and Dan.

On most modern autos - with their factory applied clear coat, it is all too easy to apply the wrong polish or use the wrong pad or technique and do more damage than good - and that is applying
polish/wax/glaze manually. Using a dedicated polisher - like the Shinex, requires much more adherence to using proper materials and technique. Too much and /or uneven pressure or the wrong speed and you will leave swirl marks that will take another go round to remove. Not to mention, having the polish spin off all over the place. Uhm, don't ask me how I know this.

. Before using any polisher, my advice is to check the dedicated auto detailing sites - they offer a wealth of info from the guys who live and breath this stuff. Get the proper materials and practice with that polisher (Shinex or other brand) on something other than your car first.
As regards the pads, I don't know the actual differences between the Festool sponges and Lake County sponges, but LC sponges are the acknowledged go-to brand.

Having said all of this, most serious detailers would agree that (once properly mastered) using a polisher is a way more efficient means of auto maintenance - as well as yielding better results than by hand

Bob

Dan C · Sep 30, 2011

It is not that there is a specific issue with the Festool pads, however the gentleman that taught me how to properly correct paint work swore by LC pads. That gentleman is a pro, and details some very high-end vehicles.

Bob hit it on the head- LCs are the go-to brand. Just like I Festool is for their sanders, vacs, etc.

That being said, I do hope you enjoy your shinex, I am debating replacing my current polisher with it.

tbellemare · Sep 30, 2011

Not being a professional finish restorer in North America, I can't comment on what is considered the premium pads but I too seem to have observed a lot of pros mentioning that they use Lake County pads.

Perhaps there is someone across the pond that could comment on the Festool pads and how they are regarded there?

I suspect that the Festool products are equivalent to the top-of-the-line pads anywhere in the world. It's my understanding that they are used at high-end manufacturers and shops in Germany, at least.

Tom

Bob Marino · Sep 30, 2011

Tom Bellemare said:
I suspect that the Festool products are equivalent to the top-of-the-line pads anywhere in the world. It's my understanding that they are used at high-end manufacturers and shops in Germany, at least.

Tom

Agree again Tom.\

I have used the Festool honeycomb pads with Shinex and the Lake County Pads with the RO 150 on my cars and could not (nor was looking to) discern any difference quality wise between the them. It is just that LC pads are more popular here and referenced on the detailing blogs with the associated polishes/waxes/sealants.

Bob

venk67 · Oct 7, 2011

Dan,

THe LC pads come in different sizes, i would like to get some for a rotex 90 and the shinex. Which sizes would you recommend? Doubt one size fits all!!

Would the 4 inch or 100 cm be acceptable on a rotex 90? and the best size for a shinex?

I may also get some pads from festool to compare for myself.

Venk

Dan C · Oct 7, 2011

Since the Shinex has a 6" pad, I would use the 6.5" pads for it. On the Rotex, the 4" are going to be your best choice. The smaller size is great for smaller body panels, and places where the big Shinex and the larger pad will not fit.

Hope this helps....

mouppe · Oct 7, 2011

I would also consider the products from this company. I have reviewed them on the FOG previously and found them to be excellent both in terms of results and value. For polishing pads, you usually add 1/2" or so to the disc size, eg. 5 1/2" pad for a Rotex 125 etc.

No affiliation- just a happy user!

http://www.surbuf.com/Surbuf-R-Series-Applicator-And-Buffing-Pads.asp

venk67 · Oct 7, 2011

[big grin] Thanks Richard,

I went to that website, but did not find any variation inthe pads themselves, would they be considered felts?

I guess with festool pads and LC pads there is variation in the pads?

Venk

mouppe · Oct 7, 2011

Yes they are all the same, I just use them for applying and buffing wax.

venk67 · Oct 7, 2011

OK, got you.

that makes sense now//Venk

GPowers · Oct 10, 2011

Look out, this car polishing get to be a religion [tongue]

Dan C · Oct 10, 2011

GPowers said:
Look out, this car polishing get to be a religion [tongue]

You have no idea.... I have more pads, towels, chemicals and tools in the garage than I would rather admit to. Between the different compounds, manufacturers and methods one could go a little crazy.

venk67 · May 17, 2012

After much deliberation and a few purchases from detailing websites, I did tackle some minor corrections on my car.

I admit that I started with an old Toyota SUV and learned how to use the Shinex using a glaze polish.

After reading Dan's advice and reviewing the web:

I cleaned the car ( two bucket method) using regular car soap/shampoo

Rewashed with P21 auto complete shampoo ( citrus) Blew dry with my Stihl leafblower BR 600

Clayed, taped

then using the DX90 and polishing pad and lakecountry pad ( orange- light cutting) and 3M ultrafine polish ( for removing fine scratches) I used the 90 on ROTEX mode at speeds of 3.5-5. With 4 inch LC pads it did take a long time to do. I used costco brand microfibre towels to wipe off excess polish.

Rinsed and rewashed with p21 autobody shampoo,

then using 10% solution of PERMANON platinum, the entire car was misted and then using hose the car was rinsed from the roof down with water to seal the paint, wheels and windows.

Blew dry with my Stihl leafblower BR 600 and towelled dry with uber microfibre towel.

Waxed with

bwiele · May 19, 2012

Dan C said:
GPowers said:

Look out, this car polishing get to be a religion [tongue]

Click to expand...

You have no idea.... I have more pads, towels, chemicals and tools in the garage than I would rather admit to. Between the different compounds, manufacturers and methods one could go a little crazy.

This describes me to a T. It's a similar addiction as Festool, just spread out over numerous brands instead of just one...

venk67 · May 20, 2012

Yes it can be very addicting.

I personally get a lot of self-satisfaction.

Next project will be a black car!! I will have to say my prayers!!

Venk

SHINEX- which accessories?

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