DeWalt Car Buffer

[Merkava_4]

I just so happened to be browsing YouTube videos about how to remove fine scratches from automotive paint when in this one video, the guy said he bought a brand new DeWalt buffer to help remove some scratches from his H2 Hummer. I was watching his video and listening to the sound of the DeWalt buffer. I can honestly say that after listening to that thing run, I would NOT be buying that specific buffer. And I don't think I would trust any DeWalt buffer after hearing that noise. Terrible sound that thing makes. The good news though is the guy got the scratches out of his paint just fine. At the end of the video, the guy said he paid $200 for that buffer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_kCZmtZh88

 

[doitmyself]

Merk,

I have a 25+ year old Black and Decker 9 inch grinder at work (similar to below) that sounds
just like that rotary buffer. Let off the trigger and it sounds like tons of play between the gears. I use it for rough welding clean up and the tool will just not die! Back then, B&D still made some good stuff.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Back then, B&D still made some good stuff.


Black and Decker is DeWalt.

I was led to believe DeWalt had plastic drive gears. I've been using the same DeWalt 12v 6 days a week for years with this "suspect" plastic gear. No problems. But you would think it would be quieter with plastic gears.

 

[Merkava_4]

doitmyself: I can understand a 25 year old B&D grinder having
slop in the drive gears, but that guy's DeWalt was brand new.

 

[Vikas]

This is a high speed buffer which is going to sound somewhat like that. Are you comparing it with Dual Action polisher?

 

[RTexasF]

That should have been titled---- Example of how to never use a rotary buffer.

 

[Vikas]

Can you explain please? I did see him not keeping the buffer parallel to the surface but since he was not applying much pressure, it did not seem to have caused him any problems.

Obviously, the vehicle later was not moved to show it under the light to see if it had developed buffer trails. Was the evidence hidden?

 

[durallymax]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Can you explain please? I did see him not keeping the buffer parallel to the surface but since he was not applying much pressure, it did not seem to have caused him any problems.

Obviously, the vehicle later was not moved to show it under the light to see if it had developed buffer trails. Was the evidence hidden?


Running it on edge will create terrible trails. Hes not working in an even pattern which will lead to uneven results, his arm speed is not slow and controlled. hes kind of wailing it around like a grinder which is the issue most people have. He also didn't tape off any moldings or mask any other areas of the vehicle to protect it against "sling". Finally, he did not tape the edges of the panels. The edges are prone to burning through and its best to put a protective piece of tape on them when using the rotary to avoid ruining them.

I have a DWP849X like the one in the video, I use it for running my aluminum polishing wheels.

For paint I use a Flex PE14 rotary and a Flex 3401. The Flex is much quieter, smoother and nicer to run, but it lacks the grunt and speed that is needed for metal polishing which the DeWalt does have and at a much more affordable price.