Polishing machine ?

[Fermn]

Anyone here with car detailing knowledge/experience ?

I’m looking to buy a polishing tool. Not looking to break the bank but I want to get something decent. Currently looking at the Chemical Guys bundle with Torq polisher for $160(Amazon). Harbor freight also has a $50 polisher. Not sure how reliable that is although I’ve had good luck with their tools in the past.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you !

 

[honda250xtitan]

griots garage dual action. DONT get a rotary polisher if youre just starting out. even with a rotary you need a DA to finish out the polishing anyways or else you'll have buffer marks. a DA and the right compounds will work for you. look up shinesupply he posts how to videos and has a full product line.

 

[NorthPark]

Chemical Guys stuff is a lot of hype so watch out there. I like their clear interior cleaner with the uv protection and that it's easy to find.

Also I've heard the torq doesn't actually have a lot of torque, but then again it might help prevent messing up your paint.

Read up first and don't impulse buy it

 

[MatthewMateo]

griots garage dual action. DONT get a rotary polisher if youre just starting out. even with a rotary you need a DA to finish out the polishing anyways or else you'll have buffer marks. a DA and the right compounds will work for you. look up shinesupply he posts how to videos and has a full product line.

I second Honda guy above. Griot's will get you to where you want to go at a decent price point.

All paint is different and there are some industry standards to compounds and polishes (Meguiars 105/205), but I've also really liked Griot's BOSS system compounds a polishes as well.

Either way, a good paint correction starts with a good wash, chemical decontamination (CarPro Iron X AND Tar X or other similar product(s)), mechanical decontamination (I prefer clay bar over something like a nanoskin), then compound (with an appropriate pad), IPA wipedown [(or something like CarPro Eraser) probably an overkill step], polish (with an appropriate pad), another IPA wipedown (required step), and then protection (paint protection film, then either ceramic coating or sealant/waxes).

 

[Photogr]

Before I got into 4Runners, I had a Mini Cooper and was obsessed with keeping it spotless. The tool of the trade for polishing was a Porter Cable Random Orbital Polisher. They have a few models, but make sure you buy one that's Random Orbital and variable speed. They also make a sander that appears to be exactly the same tool, though doesn't come with the polisher pad.

For me, if I had an itch to keep the 4Runner detailed I would go with a ceramic coating for the simplicity of it.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

I've heard a lot of people have been happy with the Harbor Freight DA polisher, but the pads that come with it should just be tossed immediately. The primary difference in DA polishers is the amount of time it will take to do the same job. I have a Flex 3401 and absolutely love it. I can do a full 2 stage cut/polish in 4-6 hours. I use the lake country flat 6.5" pads, typically just orange, blue, and white.

 

[umidkusername]

Either way, a good paint correction starts with a good wash, chemical decontamination (CarPro Iron X AND Tar X or other similar product(s)), mechanical decontamination (I prefer clay bar over something like a nanoskin), then compound (with an appropriate pad), IPA wipedown [(or something like CarPro Eraser) probably an overkill step], polish (with an appropriate pad), another IPA wipedown (required step), and then protection (paint protection film, then either ceramic coating or sealant/waxes).

I second this. DON’T half a$$ this. I have a buffer mark on mine because i didn’t know what I was doing and was too lazy to finish the job.

If you’re going to do this don’t go after fancy marketing like chemical guys because they look cool. I mean I use them but not because they look cool. They have tons of how-tos and they sell products for every step.

They have videos on the whole process too. Pads for the cutting, pads for the polishing, pads for the buffering for example.

Don’t just buy a torq and that’s it lol. You gotta buy multiple products.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JKLNHYD]

I'll concur with the recommendation for Griot's Garage equipment. I actually have two; a 6" DA and a 3" DA. I found that even though it's smaller, the 3" is my preferred unit to use because it's lighter and just as effective. Take your time to learn what the different color pads are capable of when using different products.

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

Before I got into 4Runners, I had a Mini Cooper and was obsessed with keeping it spotless. The tool of the trade for polishing was a Porter Cable Random Orbital Polisher. They have a few models, but make sure you buy one that's Random Orbital and variable speed. They also make a sander that appears to be exactly the same tool, though doesn't come with the polisher pad.

For me, if I had an itch to keep the 4Runner detailed I would go with a ceramic coating for the simplicity of it.

This guy knows what’s up. The PC is the way to go, esp if you are new to detailing.

When it comes to waxes and polishes, it’s like vehicles....everyone has their opinion. The Autopia forums are a good source of info as is AutoGeek’s website.

 

[Louisiana Overland]

I have owned the harbor freight polisher for about 6 years. It gets the job done. It can be used with other pads, but I have found the current pads to be better than the old ones.

 

[llDemonll]

6" Random Orbital (Gen 3 Orbital) - Griot's Garage

Otherwise, Porter Cable 7424XP used to be the "go-to" a few years back

 

[drewsro]

I have the Torq one and its alright. Gets the job done but not excellent. I don't like how it has an on/off switch on the rear and not a trigger, but that's preference. It's also easy to change the speeds on accident.

At work we have a Flex and that's a lot better, but price is higher.

 

[honda250xtitan]

I love his products, and they all smell fantastic. it's the small things in life lol. Your #1 Source for Quality Detailing Supplies – SHINE SUPPLY

 

[Michael-Dallas]

I have used a Porter-Cable 7424 with Meguiar's velcro backing plate and foam pads since 2000.

 

[YT-1300]

Another vote for the Griot's. I got mine as a gift years ago and it's been great! I'd like to get a foam cannon one if these days, but they can be $$$. It looks awesome when the foam is sticking to a car like meringue.

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[shdw03]

bought me a PC DA a while back, never even opened it yet....lol

Griots g8/g9 is what of the YT detailers/enthusiasts like to use. PC is ok. then there is maxshine, HF and others that would work.

Buy one that fits your budget and rock it

if you don't have already...

Pressure washer - just picked up a greenworks 1700 from lowes on sale $89. Not a horrible unit, same as the Ryobi one for $119. Works fine, just buy yourself a new gun and hose. Waiting for my amazon order to come in but new 50' hose, gun, and quick disconnects were about another $80.

Foam Cannon - just buy the cheap one from amazon, its like $18. and a new 1.1 orifice if you want shaving cream soap. the stock orifice seems fine to me, but i bought the 1.1 as well $6

Soap - your choice, using Megs gold class right now. foams up perfectly fine, but whatever you choose.

PADS - remember one per panel, or clean per panel. Its expensive, but i would get at least 4-5 of each. they will last longer and won't have to waste time cleaning between panels.

 

[Charles Bronson]

Harbor Freight DA polisher ($80-100), 5" Lake County backing plate ($18), 5.5" orange cutting pads and white polishing pads ($7/ea), Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound (light cutting polish), Mequiar's NXT wax, lots of microfiber towels, Iron X or similar product to remove metal debris in the paint, and some clay is really all you need to pull off excellent results. Use orange pads if it's been a rough year for the clear coat and white pads if the clear coat is in good shape. No need to use both for polish job.

IMO, a lot of people waste their mind, time, and money on all of these multiple "stage" cleaning and polishing and products and expensive polishers. Sure, if you've got a show car, go for it. For a daily driver that you want to have 95% of the effect of doing multiple stages of painting cleaning/polishing (i.e., the played out "paint correction"), the products I noted is all you really need.

 

[grizzlypath]

Porter Cable 7424

Before I got into 4Runners, I had a Mini Cooper and was obsessed with keeping it spotless. The tool of the trade for polishing was a Porter Cable Random Orbital Polisher. They have a few models, but make sure you buy one that's Random Orbital and variable speed. They also make a sander that appears to be exactly the same tool, though doesn't come with the polisher pad.

For me, if I had an itch to keep the 4Runner detailed I would go with a ceramic coating for the simplicity of it.

This guy knows what’s up. The PC is the way to go, esp if you are new to detailing.

When it comes to waxes and polishes, it’s like vehicles....everyone has their opinion. The Autopia forums are a good source of info as is AutoGeek’s website.

I have used a Porter-Cable 7424 with Meguiar's velcro backing plate and foam pads since 2000.

I concur with the above. The Porter Cable 7424 or 7424XP (longer cable) are both great entry level and even professional level DA polishers.

Research the difference between a DA (Dual Action) and a buffer as often they are used in conjunction with the DA being the final polishing step.

Personally I've rarely used a buffer as I can get away with using my DA for most jobs and there's less risk of burning through the clear/paint. I recommend you check out the AutoGeek website for supplies and deals, and the AutoGeekOnline forum for great info. His videos are goofy, but JunkMan2000 on YouTube has some great tutorials as well as Mike from AutoGeek.

 

[Cajun_TRD]

I have the Chemical guys 209X kit and have polished a LOT of vehicles with it. You can get it for $150 and under on Amazon, you just have to keep an eye out for the price to drop.

Amazon.com: Chemical Guys BUF_209X Complete Detailing Kit (13 Items, Torq Torqx): Automotive

Its a good short throw machine. The pads that come with it are good too. For a complete, ready to use kit, its hard to beat.

4runner related, I used it to give a good polish and extra shine before I ceramic coated my TRD OR

 

[npottala]

I have both. I have the Harbor Freight polisher and the Porter Cable Orbital polisher.

If you're just looking to polish, go with the Porter or Griots. They'll do a great job and chances of burning through clear coat is pretty small.

The HF polisher being just a single action, can create problems if you're not skilled. I've burned through clear coat on a project car with the HF and had to refinish the panel.