Polisher

[pessimist]

Our polisher has turned up it's toes and we need a replacement. It would appear that the accesories are also MIA. What do people think of something like this. Particularly tempted as it comes with sponges and bonnets, which are expensive to buy separately. Worth a punt or do I bite the bullet and go for a recognised make?

 

[Easticks28]

I've had one of these for a couple of years
Silverline Mop DIY Car Polisher 8 Piece Kit | eBay

Very pleased with it, only thing against is that it's a bit heavy.

 

[Quandary]

I've had one of these for a couple of years
Silverline Mop DIY Car Polisher 8 Piece Kit | eBay

Very pleased with it, only thing against is that it's a bit heavy.

Toolstation sell it too, badged 'Draper' rather than Silverline but indistinguishable otherwise.

 

[Tradewinds]

I've got a Silverline which is heavy for me and feels a bit too whirry sometimes.

I bought this Dual Action polisher which is about a kilo lighter and when I use it I feel a little more in control due to its action.
Katsu 850w DA car polisher

Also, it's quite nice to have a choice.

 

[V1701]

So much stuff thesedays is Chinese manufactured & then badged/rebadged at a mark up, per some of the above posts. If you can be bothered you'll almost certainly find exactly the same thing for even less on the likes of gearbest.com, aliexpress.com or banggood.com. I think this stuff generally is fine for occasional/"non-professional" use. The quality of Chinese stuff is getting better, the only caveat is whether you'd be charged import duty/VAT post Brexit if you order directly from China. Pre Brexit I've ordered lots of stuff direct and never had a problem or been charged any import duty. Delivery can be surprisingly quick to pretty slow, which presumably is down to whether there's a nearly full container ready to go when you place your order...

 

[TernVI]

If it's available with a credible guarantee from an actual shop where you can take it back, I'd consider that.
Is the no-name ebay flyby night thing that much cheaper than Screwfix/Toolstation/Machine Mart?

I've bought many cheap things from ebay and been pleased, but that doesn't look cheap. At least not in a good way.
Bauker 600W 180mm Polisher 230V
Clarke CP150 150mm (6") Pro Dual Action Sander/Polisher - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

My Makita was nearly three times as much as the in in the op's link, but I don't regret it for a second.

 

[Simon 420]

I'd like to get a smaller lightweight 3" / 75mm polisher for doing the fiddly bits around hull superstructure /windows etc. Realise that we can fit a 3" pad to our existing large (6") polisher but it is heavy and bulky. Quite a few battery models around but not been able to find a wired version. Any recommendations please?

 

[Lightwave395]

I've had one of these for a couple of years
Silverline Mop DIY Car Polisher 8 Piece Kit | eBay

Very pleased with it, only thing against is that it's a bit heavy.

I run a line from bow to stern and have a short, thick piece of shockcord suspending the polisher from it with a sliding hook. Not perfect but it relieves the weight enough for an old man to use...

 

[Fimacca]

I have a cheap light car polisher (lidl or aldi) for the high bits, and a silverline for the easier or stubborn areas, as it is heavy. But it is well made, and I use it for sanding and refurbing furniture with various grits as well. It is a very good tool.

I just need to do more polishing and less sailing sometime !

 

[Caraway]

You should be ashamed, making an old man use it.

 

[adwuk]

I've got one of these, and at the end of a day, your arms thank you for it! Spin Doctor Lightweight Rotary Polisher (v2)

 

[pessimist]

As ever, thanks to everyone for the info. Weight is a consideration as I hope SWMO will be able to use it. Curiously so does she! Makes one of the no-name products attractive, but I'd have serious doubts about the guarantee. On the other hand this is just for occasional use.
Decisions decisions.

 

[PlankWalker]

I had a silverline one but the right angled gears disintegrated, they were aluminum!

Plank.

 

[RJJ]

I'd like to get a smaller lightweight 3" / 75mm polisher for doing the fiddly bits around hull superstructure /windows etc. Realise that we can fit a 3" pad to our existing large (6") polisher but it is heavy and bulky. Quite a few battery models around but not been able to find a wired version. Any recommendations please?

You can get all sorts of attachments for cordless drill, wouldn't that help? I bought a bunch last year and have yet to find the time/energy to do it.

 

[pvb]

I've always applied polish and wax by hand. Using Meguiars products makes the job very easy.

 

[johnalison]

I just use a lambs wool pad on a rotary drill for the blue line and my other machinery is just lubricated with elbow grease.

 

[Adios]

If it's available with a credible guarantee from an actual shop where you can take it back, I'd consider that.
Is the no-name ebay flyby night thing that much cheaper than Screwfix/Toolstation/Machine Mart?

I've bought many cheap things from ebay and been pleased, but that doesn't look cheap. At least not in a good way.
Bauker 600W 180mm Polisher 230V
Clarke CP150 150mm (6") Pro Dual Action Sander/Polisher - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

Agree getting it from machine mart at least there is a place you can take it back if needed. But their stuff is generally reasonable mid range quality for mid range price. Its all china but perhaps not from the cheapest source there. I'm happy with one of these, no shortage of torque to allow for some pressure applied

Clarke CP185 Sander & Polisher - Machine Mart - Machine Mart You have to take the handle off to fit it in the case which is a hassle but if its more of an annual use thing not a deal breaker.

 

[Easticks28]

Agree getting it from machine mart at least there is a place you can take it back if needed. But their stuff is generally reasonable mid range quality for mid range price. Its all china but perhaps not from the cheapest source there. I'm happy with one of these, no shortage of torque to allow for some pressure applied

Clarke CP185 Sander & Polisher - Machine Mart - Machine Mart You have to take the handle off to fit it in the case which is a hassle but if its more of an annual use thing not a deal breaker.

That's the Silverline I and others have referred to - except it's got the Clarke name , and the customary machine Mart red casing of course. Oh , and at least another £25 .

 

[BobnLesley]

... Weight is a consideration as I hope SWMO will be able to use it....

I should hope so too. Polishers, are like garden forks and spades, a Gentleman would never buy one that's larger/heavier than his wife can comfortably cope with.