Rubbing compound, hand or wheel?

Found out I got a little left arm tendonitis to deal with due to repetitive motion at work. Now I want to buff out the clear on my new paint with rubbing compound.

I realize that using power tools can burn through the paint easily, and perhaps it can leave scratch marks. But couple that with my desire to not use repetitive motion.

Should I absolutely not use a power tool to buff my paint job??

If it is possible to use a power tool, what are any recommendations??

If your paint is from a spray can, I would do it by hand.

del

I always use a power tool unless the area cannot be reached with it, then I do it by hand. I have a Porter Cable Dual Action polisher and it's variable speed. I have three foam pads with it that vary in agressiveness. With these three I use Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner/Polisher (#83), then #9 like JMKZHI uses and then finish with #3 Machine Glaze. Usually get good results with this setup.

This is with the spray can paint, right?

As I understand it, the rattle can paint is much softer and apt to burn/melt.

Qdude wrote:

This is with the spray can paint, right?

As I understand it, the rattle can paint is much softer and apt to burn/melt.

They are all apt to that, but I'm sure rattlecan is even more so. You're going through an awful lot of trouble trying to make a nice job, I'll give you that.

del

WOW, that turned out awesome JMK, really good job. No better feeling than doing it yourself too, is it?

With regard to the melting or burning through the rattle paint with a machine, this is more apt to happen with a polisher that doesn't oscillate (i.e. like the pros use). The one I have is a dual action which is far safer to use for the average joe. Can still do damage but its much harder to.

Wonderful job !! I am right behind you. :side:

With regard to the melting or burning through the rattle paint with a machine, this is more apt to happen with a polisher that doesn't oscillate

That's what I was thinking of. I'm no pro, just have big tools. :laugh: