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On to the questions. :-)
I don't mean this the wrong way but based on your post you seem to be making the classic novice mistake of focusing on products instead of process. I know everyone is desperate for that miracle product that will solve all the problems without a learning curve but we all know they don't exist.
So instead of worrying about some mean, heartless corporation stealing your hard earned money with their Branch Davidianesque mind-warping marketing schemes (how'd ya like that one? I oughta trademark stuff like that) lets determine what we want to accomplish, how we want to accomplish it, and what tools we'll need to reach our goals.
You've got a point about the Porter Cable (aka PC) but we're sorta talking in extremes. The PC can do about 95% of what a rotary can do. There will be jobs which a rotary can easily tackle, but so can a PC with the right products and enough effort. So the biggest benefit of a rotary is saving time. Only problem is that comes with a price and that price is possible damage to your paint due to misuse of the rotary. But it sounds like you've got enough cars to practice on, and that's good. You'll learn the tool quickly.
As for specfic rotary recommendations, many pro detailers love the DeWalt DW849. Lots of detail shops use this machine with great reliability. Another good choice is the Makita 9227C. Funky handle and not quite as robust but still a fine tool. Milwaukee makes an excellent rotary but I can't recall the exact part number - 5540, 5560, something like that. Many online tool suppliers sell these, like Coastal Tool. You won't find these in most national chain stores but of course they can be special ordered. You're looking at $150-200 for the machine, plus a backing plate and a selection of pads. So $300+ for the initial investment is a safe number.
The problem you had with the products was simply lack of knowledge. A company like Meguiar's make over 300 different products so its easy to get confused. Both Meguiar's and 3M market products specifically to body shop pros but a number of these products cross over with their consumer line. It really doesn't matter what product is marketed to what profession as long as you know what you want a product to do for you.
Before you go back to the stores and resume your hunt for the Perfect Polish, I want you to do some reading. Click on the link I provided and read all the detailing tips. Print them out or save them if you want to. They're part of a guide called Autopia Guide to Detailing. Its a terrific introduction to what car detailing is really about. Some of the info will be old hat, I'm sure, but it should get you more focused on process and procedure and less on product. From there you can create a detailing regimen that will work for you. After that's done, the product selection is really easy and fun.
OK, that's a lot of typing from me. Digest all this, read those tips, and let me know if you need more help. I'm gonna slap another coat of Duragloss on my brother's Passat.
posted by 24.99.95...
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