Recommend a buffer?

gdvan01

gdvan01

New member
I feel that I'm a relatively intelligent person but the last time I used a buffer, nearly 40 years ago, I ended up scuffing/burning a small spot in the paint.

So whatcha think? What's out there that'll get the job done for the average Joe?
 
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The Griots Garage is my favorite all around DA polisher/buffer. Buddy got a Chemical Guys DA polisher and it's great as well. I got the 10813STDCRD, I think it's $125 right now on Amazon.
 
I have a Griot's DA as well. It's done well for me over 5 years, but I would want to switch to a more modern DA if I was still OCD about detailing.

If you just want to itch the feeling, get the Harbor Freight DA but order a better backing plate and foam/micro fiber pads. It's a cheap entry to see if you want to continue further into the detailing money pit.
 
I have the porter cable 7424xp but I've never used another to compare them.

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ZebRuaj said:
I have a Griot's DA as well. It's done well for me over 5 years, but I would want to switch to a more modern DA if I was still OCD about detailing.

If you just want to itch the feeling, get the Harbor Freight DA but order a better backing plate and foam/micro fiber pads. It's a cheap entry to see if you want to continue further into the detailing money pit.
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Preach on, brotha!

have you been to autogeek online forums? christ.. it seems people there have a 2nd mortgage in detailing supplies
 
amalik said:
Preach on, brotha!

have you been to autogeek online forums? christ.. it seems people there have a 2nd mortgage in detailing supplies
Click to expand...

I heard that, after the initial recommendations I was up until about midnight watching the videos on autogeek relating to polishing/buffing.

Appreciate the info fellas, I'll check them out.
 
gdvan01 said:
I feel that I'm a relatively intelligent person but the last time I used a buffer, nearly 40 years ago, I ended up scuffing/burning a small spot in the paint.

So whatcha think? What's out there that'll get the job done for the average Joe?
Click to expand...

I have a black 1996 chevy Impala SS.. owned since nov 1995.. as time passed hand buffing with 3M polish finish I saw that harbor Freight had a polisher on sale $35 and variable speed . purchased the BLACK foam pad.

after going over the side of the door It looked like a mirror original paint 22 yrs old .. total cost for all the stuff was $100.. polished the vehicle several times used very little polish ..

do not push on the buffer let the buffer glide over the paint slow speed then use the micro fiber cloths ..

been 4 years now never hand polish again ,,,,,,,more work , less shine.
 
I think for a beginner DA Polisher I would either go with the Griots Garage DA polisher, Porter Cable 7424 or you can go to Harbor Freight and purchase their DA polisher for $65 then order you a Lake Country 5" backing plate with the Lake Country 5.5" pads and it should be fine. I think you can't go wrong with any of those 3.
 
I started with the Porter Cable about 8 years ago and it served me well. However, I wanted to bring my OCD detailing skills to the next level so I switched to the Rupes BigfootLHR 15 Mark II random orbital polisher. I couldn’t be happier!! So easy to use with enough power to achieve a swirl free and a deep glass like shine.
 
What pads are you guys using. I've always used lake country foam pads but I follow a lot of vlogs that now use microfiber pads. I've never experienced them.

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trey99ek said:
What pads are you guys using. I've always used lake country foam pads but I follow a lot of vlogs that now use microfiber pads. I've never experienced them.

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I have a few 5" and 6" Lake Country and Chemical Guy's foam pads, but I've taken to Meguiar's microfiber pads. I bought their 5" kit a few years back to downsize. They tend to cut a little bit more aggressive/faster for me. Only downfall is you have to clean the pad off after every pass/section as the fibers gets matted down. An air compressor and spray nozzle cleans it up quickly.
 
Any good cordless options out there? I could see myself using a buffer far more frequently if I didn't need to lug a cord around.
 
Another vote for the porter cable, you can't go wrong... But notice how some a are forced DA like the Flex, in the sense that no matter how hard you push down they will keep moving. The PC will respond to your pressure. Honestly you dont need much pressure. let the polish do the work. Autogeek.net is a great resource. Also don't go bigger than 5.5 inch pads with your DA. 6.5 will move too slowly and you will not get the correction you want. I'm a big fan of menzerna polishes, less work time, but more aggressive overall. i've been told that other companies have become on par with Menzerna recently.
 
I'd go with a dual-action polisher. Harbor Freight has an affordable one. Generally speaking start with the least aggressive approach and step up from there. Try an AIO compound/polish/wax with a foam polish pad (blue) or step up to an orange medium cut pad if the paint is hard. There's a lot of good info on technique available on YT .... FWIW, I'm a professional auto detailer.
 
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