Buffers
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4Run4YourLife
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Check out Griot's Garage.
I have the Griot's Garage random orbital polisher. It did a great job of taking out the oxidation in my boat's gelcoat and bringing back a deep shine. It has plenty of power, but being a RO it is safe to use for someone with minimal experience. The hook & loop (velcro) foam pads were a breeze to switch.
If you want a more professional tool, then I know the Makita 9227 rotary is extremely popular and highly thought of. Using a rotary will take a little more care on your part though.
I have the Griot's Garage random orbital polisher. It did a great job of taking out the oxidation in my boat's gelcoat and bringing back a deep shine. It has plenty of power, but being a RO it is safe to use for someone with minimal experience. The hook & loop (velcro) foam pads were a breeze to switch.
If you want a more professional tool, then I know the Makita 9227 rotary is extremely popular and highly thought of. Using a rotary will take a little more care on your part though.
Porter Cable 7424XP
Check out the PC 7424XP. It's a great tool and speed greatly varies between settings.
Also keep in mind you can control the level of "correction" by the density of the pad you choose.
www.detailersdomain.com is a great source for this kind of stuff. Phil has all the stuff you will need to get it taken care of.
As stated above, unless you have experience w/ a rotary, I'd steer clear of them as they can cause more damage than help if used incorrectly.
Check out the PC 7424XP. It's a great tool and speed greatly varies between settings.
Also keep in mind you can control the level of "correction" by the density of the pad you choose.
www.detailersdomain.com is a great source for this kind of stuff. Phil has all the stuff you will need to get it taken care of.
As stated above, unless you have experience w/ a rotary, I'd steer clear of them as they can cause more damage than help if used incorrectly.
GrantK
New member
Porter Cable 7424
You want to make sure it’s a true RO (random orbit) and not just a fancy right angle drill with a buffing pad. With a true RO, head moves around just like an orbital sander without spinning (when running free they may also spin but under any load they don’t spin). It should also have variable speed and don’t get carried away with the speed setting, slow and steady gives the best results (I don’t think I’ve ever gone above half speed). Having both 4” and 6” heads is also nice so you can have larger ones for open areas and smaller ones to get into curves and smaller areas. Being able to move the forward hand grip to either side or leave it off is also handy.
Gets lots and lots of different pads and buffers, they’re cheap compared to a new paint job. Some for wax on, some for wax off. Once you use a pad for applying stuff, never use it for any other purpose or product, even after cleaning. They aren’t that expensive and it will improve your results, different grits of pads, All pads should be micro fiber, especially for removeal. Lastly, replace the pads as soon as they show signs or wear for the best results.
I’ve had a Porter Cable 7424 with both 4” and 6” heads for about 10yrs along with more pads than I can count and am always getting more.
You want to make sure it’s a true RO (random orbit) and not just a fancy right angle drill with a buffing pad. With a true RO, head moves around just like an orbital sander without spinning (when running free they may also spin but under any load they don’t spin). It should also have variable speed and don’t get carried away with the speed setting, slow and steady gives the best results (I don’t think I’ve ever gone above half speed). Having both 4” and 6” heads is also nice so you can have larger ones for open areas and smaller ones to get into curves and smaller areas. Being able to move the forward hand grip to either side or leave it off is also handy.
Gets lots and lots of different pads and buffers, they’re cheap compared to a new paint job. Some for wax on, some for wax off. Once you use a pad for applying stuff, never use it for any other purpose or product, even after cleaning. They aren’t that expensive and it will improve your results, different grits of pads, All pads should be micro fiber, especially for removeal. Lastly, replace the pads as soon as they show signs or wear for the best results.
I’ve had a Porter Cable 7424 with both 4” and 6” heads for about 10yrs along with more pads than I can count and am always getting more.
GrantK
New member
Most are but you should use a detergent/cleaner intended for them, wash them by them selves and don't put them in the dryer with a fabric sheet or use any fabric softener on them. I let mine air dry on a rack type shelf in the laundry room. You can find detergent/cleaner at sites where you buy waxes, glazes and polishes. They will probably also sell the RO buffers but you can usually find a better price elsewhere
offroadingatc
New member
+1 to all the info GrantK provided.
Look at lakecountry pads, they are the best I've found
Go slow, and plan for it to take a while. A car with any degree of damage takes me most of a day.
Also make sure you are clay barring properly first or you'll be doing more damage than you are fixing.
Have fun!
Look at lakecountry pads, they are the best I've found
Go slow, and plan for it to take a while. A car with any degree of damage takes me most of a day.
Also make sure you are clay barring properly first or you'll be doing more damage than you are fixing.
Have fun!
Ukie
New member
+1 for Griots RO! Autopia guys highly recommend them. Looks like http://www.thedetailshoppe.com/ has an ongoing sale right now for a buffer with 10ft cord: $105.00 + free shipping
terra4r
New member
This plus some lake country pads and you got a pretty decent setup :banana: I believe there are a few threads on this over in the detailing section of t4r, I would scan some of those too.
I'm a cheapskate so I got a basic Sears 7" orbital polisher that's served me well for the last three years. We've got quite a few carsin the fleet including two black Miatas and this thing doesn't disappoint me. The on/off switch is getting flaky but that's my only gripe.
Once you use a buffer you will never wax a car by hand again.
Once you use a buffer you will never wax a car by hand again.