Need advice from all you Pro's....

[sliique]

I am VERY impressed with all the contributions, site-wide and you all deserve Kudos! I am 100% disabled, due to surgeries on shoulder and elbow. However, I am considering a small business detailing, primarily to teach my 14 yr old Grandson a good work ethic (and) the proper care of all vehicles, including my 93 Mustang Cobra, Black on Black.

Anyway, a few years ago I bought this Wen. Is it sufficient to buff and polish, or do I need something else? Any and all recommendations/advice will be gratefully received. Here's the Wen specs...It is a Wen 943.

Item Description:

Features:

hook and loop base for sandpaper attachment
contoured for polishing bonnet attachment
7" pad
2-speed locking trigger
2-position auxiliary handle


Includes:

7: backing pad
terrycloth polishing bonnet
2 sanding discs
spindle lock key
auxiliary handle


Specifications:

power requirement: 120 V AC, 4.0 A
no load speed: low - 1100 RPM, high-1350 RPM
pad size: 7 inches
speed control: double

[Brace1]

I think it's great that you want to teach your grandson a work ethic, that's been lacking in the younger generation (as a whole, NOT everyone). However, the Wen won't hold up to commercial use.

It should hold up to occasional use, like to have him work on the family's and friend's cars, which he could still get paid for. If he wants to stick with it, then he can plow his income into a machine more designed for pro use.

[Reddwarf]

I agree with Brace1 about teaching your grandson. That is very laudable of you. I agree that many of the young generation are not getting a good education in this area.

As far as the Wen goes, I'll have to defer to others as I have no experience with it.

Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

[heatgain]

That all being said......that Wen is a rotary.....and in untrained hands, a rotary will burn right through the paint. I suggest starting with a Dual Action sander, which is safer to use (paint-wise), and get a video on how to use it.
Can't wait to polish and wax a car with my grandson! He's almost 14 months old now!

[dr_detail]

The sanding disc's will be perfect on a black vehicle..... (sic humor, only kidding)

It'll do the job provided that you are not using it on a day-in day-out basis. If I remember right, this model is a rotary which have the tendency to leave behind swirls in novice hands. I might suggest, if you already own it, that you start off with fine pads and light polishes or waxes to help in lessening the swirls that might apear and then as confidence levels rise, working with heaver polishes and cleaners. It might not be a bad idea to invest in a DA (like a Porter Cable) which might yeild better results with less risk. I've seen them on the net for as low as $100 brand new -- or you might consider one of our sponsors who sell complete kits which are of great value.

[Empire01]

I wish I had someone to teach me.. Any takers? lol

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Empire01

I wish I had someone to teach me.. Any takers? lol

There is a world of experience on this site read and apply grass hopper!!

[Stephan]

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

There is a world of experience on this site read and apply grass hopper!!

Dave would be happy to teach you...plus he can drive there with those 4 new tires.