power buffer slash pollisher

driller

driller

El Presidente
You want a 'palm size' dual action orbital polisher. The most popular are made by Porter Cable. I got mine (branded by Mothers Products) one year while on the Power Tour. I'm sure I overpaid for it but it came with a cool case, 2 types of polish and an extra pad.

Whichever brand you get, get extra pads with it.
 
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steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
I have a NIB Meguiars branded Porter Cable, it's supposed to have a better bearing or something. Let me know if you are interested, after I got it I just got busy with life and never got to use it. I will get back into dealing some day, just not in the near future with two young kids.
 
LSCmuscle

LSCmuscle

New member
As stated above, you should go with a DA polisher (random orbital) rather than a circular rotary device. The DA polisher might not remove defects as fast or have as much correction capabilities, but they are the most user freindly when it comes to not burning through your clear coat while correcting the paint and will still net you great results.

Some known good brands would be Porter Cable, Flex, Rupes, and Griots. The main differences are the power levels and the "throw" of the machine. Most DA polishers have a throw of 4-8mm, but some models have a throw of 15-21mm. Having a bigger throw allows you to better correct larger surface areas at a time.

Since DA polishers are limited in their power, I would recommend getting the 5" back plate over the 6". The 5" plate will allow you to use the 5.5" pads which is about as big as I would go. The limited power and rotational design of a DA polisher causes the machine to stall while using the larger 6.5" pads.

I purchased a Porter Cable 7424XP with the 5" back plate and was thrilled with the results that I got. If I get some extra cash, I'll probably invest in a smaller back plate and pads in order to get the areas that the 5.5" pad won't fit (I have to do these spots by hand). There are better machines, but this particular one is hard to beat for the price. I usually just remove the side handle while using the machine. If you do get a Porter Cable, make sure you get the XP model (it's the newer upgraded version).

Which ever brand you decide, make sure you get the right size back plate and the proper pads for each product you use. I purchased mine as a kit from Autogeek that came wth the hook & loop back plate,a variety of Lake Country pads, a pad cleaning brush and a few other things.

If you have time, search around on the Autogeek website or even on their forum for useful tips when it comes to brands, pad types, and proper techniques. Mike Phillips is one of the best in the game and has tons of useful "how to" videos and threads on all these things.

Heres a couple links to give you some perspective. :thumbsup:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...se-right-polisher-your-detailing-project.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...her-rupes-griot-s-porter-cable-meguiar-s.html
 
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mlschultz

mlschultz

Boost King
I have used a Porter Cable 7424 for many years, and it works great for me. I buy my pads and such from Auto Geek, and polishing products from Zaino. Paint is like butter... :cool:
 
LSCmuscle

LSCmuscle

New member
beerdog said:
The Flex is supposed to be more agressive and can correct defects. It is also more expensive.
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The Flex is more powerful and has faster correcting capabilities, but it uses slightly different technology. It's like a cross between a DA polisher and a rotary buffer, but as you mentioned it's a whole lot more money.

Don't be fooled by a regular DA polisher though... matched with the right compound or polish and the proper pad or microfiber bonnet, it will be able to remove the same scratches and swirls that the Flex can. It will just take longer to achieve the same results.
 
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beerdog

New member
I have seen some incredible demonstrations at Carlisle a few years ago at the Adam's Polishes booth. Using a porter cable and their 3 step process they removed every single remote trace of swirl marks on a show participant's hood. They made the paint look perfect. The people from Adam's said it would take all weekend (sun-up to sundown) to get those results on an entire car. Half the time easy with a Flex. Yes, great results are possible with the PC, just takes time. I have gotten great results on my free PC at home.
 
Mike P

Mike P

c:enter
Staff member
steve said:
I have a NIB Meguiars branded Porter Cable, it's supposed to have a better bearing or something. Let me know if you are interested, after I got it I just got busy with life and never got to use it. I will get back into dealing some day, just not in the near future with two young kids.
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How much?
 
O

ONLYTONY

New member
Mike, I've used a 10" car polisher for years,(burned up a few). Put one bonnet on to apply, change bonnet to remove. Spent a lot of time changing bonnets. I took a chance, and got H F 6" D A polisher,I know they sell throw away tools. I've had it about a year, and I'm surprised it's holding up, I wax 6 cars often. They sell 3 different grit pads, and wear them out. I use it to "WAX ON", and the 10" WAX OFF. It seems like I can wax a car in the same time that I take to wash it, using both machines. The 6" was about $70, and they get you with the pads, about $5-$6. I use Meguires cleaner/wax, then Meguires Gold Class carnauba plus, and all my cars look like glass. Waxing a car should be a pleasure, not a labor
 
tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
There's some great knowledge in this thread. I'll need to "buy in" to one of these machines.. I've always done it by hand, and I'm getting too old for this. :D
 
LSCmuscle

LSCmuscle

New member
ONLYTONY said:
Mike, I've used a 10" car polisher for years,(burned up a few). Put one bonnet on to apply, change bonnet to remove. Spent a lot of time changing bonnets. I took a chance, and got H F 6" D A polisher,I know they sell throw away tools. I've had it about a year, and I'm surprised it's holding up, I wax 6 cars often. They sell 3 different grit pads, and wear them out. I use it to "WAX ON", and the 10" WAX OFF. It seems like I can wax a car in the same time that I take to wash it, using both machines. The 6" was about $70, and they get you with the pads, about $5-$6. I use Meguires cleaner/wax, then Meguires Gold Class carnauba plus, and all my cars look like glass. Waxing a car should be a pleasure, not a labor
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If you're just spreading wax, then pretty much any machine would suffice in putting down a nice even layer. It's when it comes to compounds and polishes that it can turn from ease to labor. That being said, I've heard some good reviews on the HF machine. You can even purchase a different style back plate allowing you to use a wide variety of pads, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Lake Country has a bunch of different style pads that are color coded for specific tasks.

tixer said:
There's some great knowledge in this thread. I'll need to "buy in" to one of these machines.. I've always done it by hand, and I'm getting too old for this. :D
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You won't be sorry if you decide to invest in one. There is a small learning curve, but once you've used the machine a time or two, it will cut your labor down tremendously. You will also see better results from a machine rather than doing it by hand.

Also, using a clay bar once or twice a year will give you a smooth surface to start with, allowing you to put a more even layer of what ever product you're using & give you a lesser chance of marring your paint with any contaminants that could potentionally break loose.

(Most people skip the clay bar or have no clue about it, when in fact it's a major contributor to flawless paint).
 
Mike P

Mike P

c:enter
Staff member
steve said:
If you are in NJ and come and get it $100, or else plus shipping, it's new in the box. I got a lot of detail stuff you can look at like new pads and stuff and can make an offer.
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What part of nj are we talking about? The worst part about commuting to nj is using NY highways
 
Mike P

Mike P

c:enter
Staff member
ONLYTONY said:
Mike, I've used a 10" car polisher for years,(burned up a few). Put one bonnet on to apply, change bonnet to remove. Spent a lot of time changing bonnets. I took a chance, and got H F 6" D A polisher,I know they sell throw away tools. I've had it about a year, and I'm surprised it's holding up, I wax 6 cars often. They sell 3 different grit pads, and wear them out. I use it to "WAX ON", and the 10" WAX OFF. It seems like I can wax a car in the same time that I take to wash it, using both machines. The 6" was about $70, and they get you with the pads, about $5-$6. I use Meguires cleaner/wax, then Meguires Gold Class carnauba plus, and all my cars look like glass. Waxing a car should be a pleasure, not a labor
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Lol yes harbor freight is the worlds disposable tool store
 
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beerdog

New member
Teh autogeek.net forum has a tremendous amount of information from pros and hacks on using every type of buffer.
 
S

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
Mike P said:
What part of nj are we talking about? The worst part about commuting to nj is using NY highways
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central jersey, zip code 08844, best way maybe via Staten island over the outer bridge to 440/287, then exit to the county roads off 287 for about 20 mins.
 
Mike P

Mike P

c:enter
Staff member
beerdog said:
Teh autogeek.net forum has a tremendous amount of information from pros and hacks on using every type of buffer.
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I asked here because I don't feel like looking up long winded stuff like that. I want you guys to do the leg work and then tell me what works best :D

steve said:
central jersey, zip code 08844, best way maybe via Staten island over the outer bridge to 440/287, then exit to the county roads off 287 for about 20 mins.
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ok lemme look into it
 
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