Selecting A Buffer/Polisher

[X6StringerX]

I recently bought one of the Walmart specials for $20, but after using it for one detail session, it fell apart and I took it back for a refund. I don't have the kind of cash to spend on a Porter Cable and if I did, I'm still not sure it would be practical for me to invest that kind of money in one for the amount of detailing I do. I was looking around at my local Sears the day I returned the Walmart unit and I found the ones listed below. I couldn't decide on the spot and felt I would need to consult the board first. Price aside, what are the pros and cons of each of these units? How easy would it be to screw up and burn the paint with the sander/polisher? Can I expect to get good results with it although it doesn't spin anywhere near as fast as the actual random orbital buffer/polisher?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ortable+Power+Tools&sName=Buffers+&+Polishers

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ortable+Power+Tools&sName=Buffers+&+Polishers

 

[Bill Kemp]

Unless you plan on removing serious paint defects and are willing to find an old hood to practice on & learn how to use the rotary buffer you should get an orbital. Plus the Sears rotary is only a two speed.
I bought an orbital PC on ebay for $40 or so 5+ years ago and still have it & it works fine once or twice a year that I use it. I have had the Sears type and the PC is sure worth the difference.

 

[SaleenJOE]

A porter cable does the same as the large orbitals u buy at walmart,auto zone etc except they are a 6.5 pad and the speed is adjustable u can use it for applying wax or for some paint correction. I have a porter cable i was planing on selling if you were interested, they r a great investment and worth the money. the sears polisher u listed is junk, i have been through a few until i bought my dewalt. Rotary polishers are not for the amatuer u can destroy your paint very quick if u are not sure what u r doing. Trust me invest the money in a PC u will not regret it. Problem with the orbital u buy in stores is they dont spin fast enough to really make a difference unless u want to spend all day on the truck, the pc can be adjusted and even at its highest speed u cannot ruin the paint since it is an orbital.

Joe

 

[X6StringerX]

I appreciate the offer, but I'm just not looking to spend very much on a polisher/buffer. I'll only be using it 2-3 times a year for wax application. Thanks.

 

[xplorer03]

joe how much u lookin to get for the PC? PM me

 

[Bill Kemp]

If you only want it for wax application; why bother? Wax applied by hand or cheap buffer is gonna look the same. Dont waste your $, use your armstrong applicator.

 

[X6StringerX]

After applying it with the cheapo Walmart unit, I'll NEVER apply it by hand again.

 

[huntersteve61]

Why? the proper use of cleaners/polish/wax by hand will create a beautiful finish. IMO as I looked into this a year ago is unless you learn to use a rotary buffer just keep doing it by hand. you can get good cleaning and polishing agents and get very nice results by hand. applying with some elbow grease will def give u a nice cleanup and is cheaper then purchasing diff polish, a buffer, pads, etc... putting on something with an orbital vs. by hand will look the same a cheap buffer just makes for a lazier job and missed spots

 

[Joe Dirt]

The size of the pad on the DA does matter- That's why I didn't get the Craftsman model, it's a ******* size pad, and they don't have all of the different pad compounds available.

After looking around for a bit, I got turned on to the Meguiars Forum, and the PC is used a lot, as is the Meguiars G110. The Meguiars unit is the PC unit rebranded. If you get the Meguiars unit from ADS, you get some pads, backing plate, some microfibers, a bag, and some compound as well:

CLICK ME

I love mine, it's got enough torque to power some more aggressive compounds and not lose speed, it's variable, and it's made really, really well. I use mine a lot, and it uses the velcro pads making it easy to do. Just my .02

If you're only putting on wax once every few months, go by hand. If you're going to do any scratch removal, paint repair, or other stuff, the investment is worth it. I've been detailing for over 10 years, and I wouldn't not own one now, even as a casual waxer.

If you're going to use it a fair bit, make an investment in a good unit with a good motor, or you'll be buying it again...

 

[X6StringerX]

putting on something with an orbital vs. by hand will look the same a cheap buffer just makes for a lazier job and missed spots

See, I feel the exact opposite. When I apply wax by hand, I simply can't wait to finish the job and usually end up skipping areas like the roof of an SUV, etc. With the buffer/polisher, it seems almost like I'm having fun. Granted, I now own two Ford Foci (haha, Foci), so it would be much easier anyway but even on the easy to reach side panels, having the orbital has made a difference to me. Excluding the area under the spoiler, which I did wax by hand, I didn't miss a square inch on the Focus when I used the orbital.

As for paint correction, the only paint correction I've ever done was with SwirlX on my black Focus and the cheap Walmart unit performed great and got rid of nearly all the swirls. Now that the car has been de-waxed, claybarred, de-swirled, and waxed again, I just need to maintain with wax application. For that reason alone, I want a buffer/polisher.

 

[huntersteve61]

Well I too want a buffer but I probably will go with rotary and get some practice paint off my buddies old jeep. I just feel that the buffer compounds are much much better and if your simply throwing on cleaner wax and some collinite (very nice) then do it by hand. honestly I did my car with collinite and it does a nice job.. getting the water marks out well that would require a buffer, pad, some sort of compound. Its up to you but I don't want to see you invest alot of loot into something if your not getting it for the right purpose. I didn't by any means want to say a buffer isn't good because it is amazing. Just if your gonna throw on walmart 5 dollar wax..then whats the point.

 

[98explodersprt]

A PC is more than enough for what it seems you want to do and way safer than a rotory that will burn up your paint if not used right. lots of top end detailers are still using the PC and i got the new PC 7424XP a few months ago and its been great on the four details i have done.

i would check out autogeek.net and other detailing forums to get a good knowledge of what you want to do and what you need to do it. If it is jst wax applications and such than stick with by hand