First time using a DA buffer

Bought a Porter Cable a while back but haven't gotten around to using it until today. I've only hand washed my Tacoma but it's not until I actually went at polishing the paint did I realize how many creases the body panels have. The hood itself with the stupid scoop further complicates things.

I used a 6" pad and it worked alright but a believe a 5" or even smaller would be easier to work with.

Also, I was initially having trouble wiping off the polish. I was working with Meguires Ultimate Polish. Using a little detailing spray helped immensely. I almost gave up since I started on the hood and was having a hell of a time removing it until I stumbled upon the detail spray trick. White vehicles can be a double edged sword, they don't look all that dirty but also a challenge to look real glossy.

 

Love mine, they are addictive for a car nut. My wife wasn't convinced until she saw how mine came out...then of course wanted me to clean her Rav4.

 

Smaller pads work amazing vs the 6”

I have some 3.5 and 4” I picked up along the way. Don’t be shy to get the masking tape out and tape across gaps and trim so you don’t have a learning experience.

I’ve found the meguiars stuff kind of harsh for beginning. Did you get an assortment of pads? as much as everyone hates on chemical guys they have the P4 polish and it’s my basic go to, it used to be called p40 and it was a little better (like 15 yrs ago).

as long as you avoid things that say for heavy cutting or compound you’ll be ok in the learning phase.

 

Im a big Griots user. I find all there polishes extremely easy to use.

 

I don't think porter cable is technically true dual action, but it has rave reviews.

I like sonax perfect finish and or Jescar correcting compound (red label) with rupes yellow pads. The smaller polishers (Adam's swirl killer mini) work great on the Tacoma with all the body lines. The hood and roof are the only sections that could benefit from a larger pad imo.

 

I love my Porter Cable but that Adam's one you mention sounds nice too.