What kind of buffer

I need to get a buffer and dont know what kind to get i want one that spins around like a grider i guess.. not one that you can get at checker that just has a crappy bonnett on it ant just shakes back and forth any sugestions???

 

Check out harbor freight...you can get a decent one for real cheap

Or I'm sure wal-mart has a couple to choose from...I'd get a 8" buffer with a few extra bonnets

 

We have the Chicago Electric 92623 Polisher on sale for $29.99 now.

http://polishandwax.com/shop/products/Chicago-Electric-92623-Polisher.html

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+1 for the comment about getting a DA (dual action) like a Porter Cable 7424, Meguiars

$335 G110v2 Professional Dual Action Polisher

G110v2 or Griots Garage machine. It's almost impossible to damage your paint (swirls, holograms, buffer marks that show up in the sun) with a DA. Problem is they cost more than the Harbor Freight rotary. Don't forget you will need a couple different polishing compounds and different pads to do a really good job.

Good selection and knowledge at autogeek.com. (Happy customer, not affiliated in any other way). Lots of other education available at DetailCity.org.

 

Be careful what you buy. You definitely want a DA (dual action) like a Porter Cable 7424, G110v2. With a DA you can't really damage your finish, however, with buffers that don't have DA and are simply rotary buffers, you can easily damage your paint/finish. Also, the buffer should have variable speed controls to match exactly what it is you are applying/finishing/polishing/waxing/sealing, etc.

 

Back in 1982, I had a Waxcoa DA buffer that was super heavy duty and did a great job...but I never used it, so I think it went the way of a garage sale.

 

I own this one (Porter Cable 7424). Love it!

 

DO NOT BUY A CHEAP POLISHER! You get what you pay for here. I've got a Makita Polisher, and it's the "cadillac" of polishers. DeWalt makes a nice one, too, but the Makita has a better handle, more versatile.

The Makita costs more, sure, but it's got tons of power, variable speed control, the most comfortable handle available, and it's more reliable than any other polisher on the market.

 

The Makita is my favorite. I have the Dewalt DW849 too. The Makita has a couple advantages over the Dewalt...first, it's lighter (significantly) and you can drop the speed lower than the Dewalt, which is important for finishing swirl-free on dark colors.

I also have the Chicago Electric. I can make it work, but it's not nearly as smooth and does not have a variable trigger like the other two. However, for $30, it's better than polishing by hand.

I also have the Bosch 1250DEVS. It's a forced rotation random orbit polisher. Similar to the Makita BO6040. Great tool, but kinda pricey (I paid $250), but requires less skill to operate and is much more effective than a Porter-Cable, since it rotates in addition to orbiting. The rotation gives it much more correcting ability.

 

Do you have a part number on that favorite Makita?

 

x2 on the dewalt..Used it 3-4 times so far, and it works great. Just remember to change the pad after you compound your boat, then buff the gf's blue pickup

 

im gonna get a porter cable

 

get me one too

 

Auto Detailing Solutions has a full range of products.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/car-auto-polishers.html

 

I have the polisher from Harbor Frieght. It is the model with the RPM LCD readout. This spring I did my first painting HVLP painting job and used this polisher. Tape your edges, take your time, practice somewhere, and buy good polish and pads. But, you shouldn't need a polisher unless you have more than just detail work to do. If you are just trying to make the paint job look better then I agree about going with dual action. IMO, you don't need to use a polisher unless you are trying to do something like wet sand the factory orange peel off.

Usually, I would agree you get what you pay for. But, unless you are doing this all the time I don't think it is worth the investment unless you are blessed enough to have plenty of disposable income.

 

9227C.

I got mine with a free bag for around $175, free shipping on Amazon.

 

x2! Just get the PC7424. Almost nothing you cant do w/ it, and its very safe.

 

^You most likley will never find a Porter-Cable in a body shop. A PC will not remove color sanding scratches.

They have their place, but nothing corrects like a rotary and nothing is as fast as a rotary.

You can't maximize safety and effectiveness in a polishing tool. A rotary is most effective and most dangerous. A PC is least effective and least dangerous. A technician that is proficeint in using a rotary will polish a surface in less than half of the time it will take with a PC. However, he runs the risk of going through the paint. The guy with the PC will never go through the paint.

I learned on a rotary and didn't use an orbital for years. My rotary is still my go-to tool.

I have lots of customers that are self-taught on rotaries and they do very well. Others opt for the PC or the Flex. In the end, whatever works best for you is what you should use.

The inventor of SYSTEM ONE polish and CSI polishes only uses a rotary. He's been polishing cars for 40 years. On the weekends, he does high-end detail jobs. You'll never see him using a PC.

Here's a video of him polishing a 1972 Ferrari with the Makita 9227C and CSI Ceram-X Polish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aA3XL3UonQ&feature=related

 

save your money and use the wax on wax off method unless you can afford a nice rotary machine.

 

^^^.

Unless this guy is going to be doing high volume, there is no reason to risk ruining the paint. To maintain your own vehicle a couple times a year, a PC is more than capable. Pair it with Meguiars 105 and 205 to correct damn near any type of swirling/hazing/etc that you can throw at it.