Anyone use a DA polisher on your Taco ?

yeah, i have a makita 9227c that sees very little action because of the flexibility of the PC.

for deep defects and/or wetsanding mark removal, i have done just fine with my original issue PC. it really just depends on the pad and the product and of course, technique. there is something to be said for a rotary for power and speed, but i prefer the slower working time of the PC because it is less aggressive and with new cars and/or exotics, if you aren't measuring, you have to be VERY careful. the PC lends itself to that.

i also like how easy it is to finish polish with a PC with no holograms whatsoever.

re: the flex, can you use 4" pads with it? i researched it a while back and can't recall for sure, but i was under the impression you can not, and 4" pads are a HUUUUGE part of my arsenal.

 

i got a dewalt buffer I use..works great, its just a bit heavy

 

what are holograms?

 

holograms are when a buffer leaves thousands of super fine circular scratches so close together that they actually leave a holographic effect that changes with the reflection and lighting. they are also called buffer trails. you have to be careful with a rotary because it's constantly spinning in one direction and if the polishing action isn't fine enough during your final polishing step you'll end up with the images in the paint. a dual action buffer resists instilling such defects because it polishes over itself constantly using different directions.

here is an image that shows the difference of how the two operate, albeit in a very simplified manner -



a common place to see buffer trails is on medium to dark cars that have come from a dealership, especially a used car that has gone through their high volume detail shop. many times they will use a wool pad on a rotary buffer and a product to remove big scratches and fill in tiny ones. the problem is, that product fills in the tiny scratches the wool pad leaves too, but only temporarily. after a few washes, the fine scratch pattern is revealved and it looks like holograms all over the finish.

 

Look at Tony go. I love pics and diagrams. Idiot proof.
Thanks man.

 

Great post!