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Cheap Buffer Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Madjik_Man, Jun 24, 2012.

  1. Jun 24, 2012 at 8:17 AM
    #1
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    My shoulders and elbows aren't what they used to be.

    I would like to get power tools involved now.

    Is there a cheap buffer you would recommend? And are there ones out there that prevent idiots like me from burning my paint?

    Honestly my routine (at most) would be:

    Wash
    (maybe clay bar depending on paint condition)
    Meguair's MicroPolish
    (do I need to follow up with a wax?)

    or

    Wash
    (maybe clay bar depending on paint condition)
    Klasse All in One Polish
    Klasse high gloss sealant
     
  2. Jun 24, 2012 at 8:19 AM
    #2
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

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    I would either recommend a Porter Cable 7424 or the ones from Griot's or Megs. They are Dual Action units so they don't generate the heat to burn the clearcoat.
     
  3. Jun 24, 2012 at 8:28 AM
    #3
    Dadic 78

    Dadic 78 Well-Known Member

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    +1. The porter cable random orbit is probably your best bet. I think it retails for under $100, and it's results will put a smile on your face.
     
  4. Jun 24, 2012 at 8:46 AM
    #4
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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  5. Jun 24, 2012 at 9:43 AM
    #5
    Dadic 78

    Dadic 78 Well-Known Member

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    That's the guy... I'd say buy that polisher, and some soft foam pads, and you're set. Stay away from the aggressive pads, they're too much for a beginner, plus you'll yield the same results from a soft pad, with a little more effort.
     
  6. Jun 24, 2012 at 9:52 AM
    #6
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Thanks a lot.

    Seems like I have to buy a velcro backing pad too.
     
  7. Jun 24, 2012 at 10:14 AM
    #7
    rb11701

    rb11701 Oh yeah!

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    Sometimes they include the velcro pad. Buy a green pad and some M105 & M205 by Meguiars. 105 is to buff out the imperfections and the 205 will jewel it up nice. Green pad is a do all pad. Buy 2, hex pattern if you can find em.
     
  8. Jun 24, 2012 at 12:38 PM
    #8
    Yeti75

    Yeti75 Well-Known Member

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    I personally have the Griots polisher and LOVE IT! The PC7424XP is just as good. You can probably find a beginners kit for around $150 that has the polisher and about 6 pads of your choice to get things going. I got mine from autogeek.net.

    Just like rb11701, I would recommend Megs 205. Its great stuff and easy to use! You should be able to finish it down well enough to just use this as your one and only process, unless you have a black vehicle, and then you "might" have to go with or more refined polish after the 205. I like Menzerna PO 85RD to finish off black vehicles. Most likely, 205 will be fine for you.

    Just remember to lay down a new layer of wax after polishing. The Klasse stuff is good stuff, but the all in one that you stated should be applied by hand, not machine. It sounds like you want to get away from that? I love wolfgang's deep gloss paint sealant. Great protection and lasts a long time. Also, a little goes a looooong, looooong way. Its not overly shiny, so if you want it to blind the masses, you can follow the DGPS with a nice carnauba wax to give it some pop. Here, I like to use Pinnacle Signature Series II or DP Max Wax.

    Just remember: wash>clay>polish>sealant and/or wax.

    She will look like a brand new truck! Good luck!
     
  9. Jun 24, 2012 at 12:45 PM
    #9
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Thanks for the tip.

    Essentially I want what the typical putz wants: easy with great results.

    How does this sound:
    Wash
    Clay (if needed)
    Meguiars M205 micropolish, used with the buffer and right pad
    Klasse high gloss sealant

    Two more questions:

    1. How do I know which pad to use with the polish?
    2. Can I use the buffer with the high gloss sealant?
     
  10. Jun 24, 2012 at 5:09 PM
    #10
    Yeti75

    Yeti75 Well-Known Member

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    Sounds fine. Use a white CCS pad with the 205. Use a grey or blue pad to apply waxes and sealants.

    For tips on how to use 205 go here: For tips on how to use the Klasse go here: 1. With CCS pads, there are 3 basic colors you will want. Orange = use with 105 for deep cutting. White = use with 205 for mild cutting and finishing down. Grey = for jeweling (going back over your finished products to get the paint as perfect as it can be) with something like Menz PO 85RD. Can also apply waxes and sealants with grey. Blue = Same as grey.

    2. Yes you can.

    I am not sure on the speed settings for the PC7424, but on the Griots goes from 1 to 6. I use 205 at speed setting 5. Do a few passes then down to 3 for a few more passes. I apply waxes at speed of 3.

    I would really recommend going HERE and reading about how to properly use the polisher. Autogeek is the place to go for detailing.
     
  11. Jun 24, 2012 at 5:13 PM
    #11
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Sweet thank you.
     
  12. Jun 24, 2012 at 7:11 PM
    #12
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

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    The harbor freight unit is okay for applying wax but for paint polishing it does not reach high enough rpms.
     
  13. Jun 24, 2012 at 7:29 PM
    #13
    rb11701

    rb11701 Oh yeah!

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    Just be careful, you can drop some serious cash on detail stuff. All of which is pretty much the same. The M105/M205 combo is nice due to the makeup of the polish. They have diminishing abrasives which means, the more you work them the smaller and smaller the abrasives become. This translates into a polish the starts out agressive yet finishes mild the longer you work it (polish with it). The trick comes into know which pad/polish to use. How do you know? Take a 1 sqft section, tape it off with easy release marine tape and try to get that section perfect. Use some 90% ISA mixed 50/50 with distilled water in a spray bottle to wipe away your polish and see how you look. If you are a perfectionist, get 2x orange and 2x white pad. (The reason for 2 is that you will need to wash your pad halfway through the truck and water will cut the polish.) If you just want to get it done, 2x green pad.

    Start with a white pad with 205 on it and go to work in your section. Wipe away and see if you like it. If not, try the 105 on the white. Then 205 on the orange and finally 105 on the orange. (If you need more than 105/orange have it done by a pro with a buffer wheel or a flex polisher). Once you figure out what works to remover the defects, do one section at a time. Mask off the edges of your sections and around anything that is black.

    By using different pads with the 105/205 combo you give yourself a greater scale of abrasiveness vs say orange/105 only. If that makes sense.

    If you want to apply wax by machine, Adams Super Machine Wax is the best around. Use a black pad. Top that with some Gold Class from Wally World and keep it up with a detail spray. Oh, and lots of microfiber towels.

    Any questions, hit me up. Always willing to help a fellow Taco owner keep that thing looking mint.
     
  14. Jun 24, 2012 at 7:34 PM
    #14
    Taco76087

    Taco76087 Well-Known Member

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    I have a craftsman one that came with all the different pads needed, I got it for ~50 on sale haven't used it yet.
     
  15. Jun 24, 2012 at 9:18 PM
    #15
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man [OP] The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Holy crapazoid :eek:

    I definitely want to start taking better care of the paint, but I know me... there's no way I'm going through such rigamarole. I'm a newb/knob. Never used a orbital machine for polishing/waxing auto paint

    Thank you.

    Live anywhere near Boulder, CO? :eek:
     
  16. Jun 25, 2012 at 9:19 AM
    #16
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    I have that same polisher as a backup to my Makita. It vibrates a bit, but it gets the job done.

    When I bought mine it came with a backing plate and a wool pad. Hard to believe the whole package was $30.
     
  17. Jun 25, 2012 at 9:26 AM
    #17
    Gooch

    Gooch Well-Known Member

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    Meguiar's M105/M205 are great products but they do not use diminishing abrasives (and that is a good thing). If I remember correctly, these two polishes were Meguiar's first offerings without diminishing abrasives, unless Solo came out before them.
     

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