Variable Speed Polisher or DA

Never have own neither, which would be best? Just for my use, don't want to worry about burning paint.

 

A machine like the Porter Cable, or Griot's Garage 6" are DA's that probably can't burn the paint if you put a sanding disc on them. Either machine or even the Harbor Freight are recommended to change the 6" backing plate for a 5" to make it a more effective machine. Most pads are tapered so that 5" plate uses 5.5" pads. If you were to lean heavily into a panel with this machine on, it will stall on you, hence making it safe.

It's the rotary polisher that you could burn the paint, not the machine recommended for novice.

The in between machine is the direct drive DA (Flex 3401), it has a lot of power but is still relatively safe for paint.

 

Get the Griots DA polisher. It's got plenty of correction power for a weekend warrior. Lifetime warranty and great customer services.

You'll want to run it with a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads. Griots also sells a 3" backing plate that works on the polisher, as well, for smaller panels.

 

I have a regular cab, so the only flat panels I have are the tailgate, two thirds of the hood & doors, and the top of the cab. I opted for the Griots 3” random orbital ($105 w/lifetime warranty) with the 4” pads and it works great for all of the small areas and curved panels as well as the larger panels. It’s very quiet and has enough power to do correcting. You would be hard pressed to do any damage with it using the Griots polish and wax.

 

TORQ 10FX from Chemical guys....
https://www.chemicalguys.com/torq-10fx-random-orbital-polisher-kit-10-items/BUF_501X.html

 

Have you tried the 3" with the thin BOSS pads? Much better for correction work.