Very affordable but decent orbital buffer recc's?

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97tbird

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if such a thing exists
smile.gif


I think i'd detail my cars a lot better and more often if I had one.
are there any low priced ones that does a good job and somewhat dependable?
 
This is something I'm wondering about as well for the same reasons. But I haven't gotten oen so far because I won't spend $200+ on one.
 
Are you looking for something to polish/was a car that is in decent shape (a dual action buffer like the Porter Cable 7424) or a true body-shop style large buffer like a Dewalt?

I have both - and they are both great - for their intended purposes - and those purposes do not overlap.

If you are simply waxing/ polishing your car its hard to beat the Porter Cable 7424. Very well built - I've had mine for years - as have a couple of my ffriends. approx $130

if you are trying to restore a finish that is in really bad shape - you need a full-size buffer. I got my porter cable to restore some very faded gelcoat on my boat. the Porter Cable could not touch it. The full size DeWalt made quick work of the restoration. yet, a pro-style buffer is dangerous to use without skill and experience. many people have buffed right through the clear coat and paint on their car. they really are not made for the average person to wax/polish their car.

I hope this helps.
 
Go with the standard - porter cable.

Define affordable? Given that you have a nice BMW, I assume you can afford the $150 for the pc plus $50 or so for pads.
 
Thanks - will look into the PC 7424 - it will be for home use and for new and somewhat old finishes...to polish and wax or AIO product and to polish headlights, etc
by affordable I meant around $100 - so i guess that will fit the budget...
I need to learn which type of pads for polishing and waxing are needed for the 7424...
anyone know of a good 'starter pack' of pads that cover the basic stuff?
 
that set looks like a good deal. order it up and get polishing! I can tell that they have redesigned the unit - but the ones I have used are very well made for the price point and for consumer use. WAY better built than anything cheaper. This unit is pretty much the "standard" among car fanatics.
 
Are the pads reusable with these polishers? If so, about how many uses do you get out of them?


Also, how do you go about using the pads? For example, do you use the colored pads to apply the wax, then just a cotton bonnet to take it off? Or do you do a microfiber bonnet over the colored pads to put the wax on, then still use a colored pad (like the red one) with the cotton bonnet to take the wax off?

I think I'm going to get one, too. I'm just trying to figure out what to choose for pads and any other possible accessories.
 
yes, they are re-usable after hand washing - not clear how many times though...

The info on all types of pads are overwhelming...I agree, and your "?"s are exactly the ones I have right now too...

i think the details on the pads are provided in the link you posted. which ones for applying, which ones for buffing, etc.

There are some Youtube videos that can help us, though..
 
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If you intend to make correction and not risk burning your paint with a rotary and then you are going to want to go with a dual action orbital buffer. The big 3 are:

1) the Porter Cable
2) Meguiars
3) Griots Garage

I own a Griots because it is the more powerful of the three and it is the only one with a lifetime warranty. Honestly, though, can't go wrong with any of the three.

The pads are reusable but have a limited life span. If you do polish/compound your vehicle, use a pad per panel. The first time I polished a car I was unaware of this and the pad started to desintigrate. I own Lake Country flat pads. I have the yellow, orange, white, and black pads (yellow being the most aggressive and black being soft). I just do my own cars and own 12 pads. I'd recommend that you at least have 8.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
yes, they are re-usable after hand washing - not clear how many times though...

The info on all types of pads are overwhelming...I agree, and your "?"s are exactly the ones I have right now too...

i think the details on the pads are provided in the link you posted. which ones for applying, which ones for buffing, etc.

There are some Youtube videos that can help us, though..


I found a video on the auto geeks web site. It looks to me like you just use the pads to put on the product, then either use a cotton bonnet (no pad) to take the wax off, or buff it off with a microfiber towel by hand (or use the polisher, then buff by hand).

I think the site you linked and the one I linked are the same company. Both have similar sites, same packages and prices, both out of FL, etc.

I think I'm going to get one of the sets we linked to, with four green pads, and they have some special solution to clean the pads and another to recondition them that I think I'll get.
 
Green pads looks like they're supposed to be used for AIO products? I don't see the point of using an AIO type product if one owns a PC...

But I can another reason for the green pads, sorta - as it's a soft(er) pad - just the thing for newbs like us
smile.gif

Wallyuwl: keep us updated on what you went with (which package) and how it worked out...I might be pulling the trigger soon, too...

a bit scared, but excited....
smile.gif
 
IF you are willing to experiment on your T-Bird, you can try very cheap buffers/polishers. With right chemicals, you can get remarkable results even when using ghetto equipment.

Meguiar's Ultra Compound and even a $20 6 inch Walmart wax spreader and lot of time in your hand, you can get stellar results.

If that experiment fails, take it back to Walmart and get your money back.

If the experiment works, take it next level by picking up a high speed buffer from Horror Freak store under $30 and good pads and backing plate from Amazon for another $30. You will have to experiment to use the buffer responsibly but use T-Bird as your proving ground.

- Vikas
 
As of today Griot's Garage has 15% off everything and free shipping! I'd recommend their DA orbital buffer which cones with a life-time warranty. Their pads are ok; personally I'd get the Lake Country pads at Autogeek. I'd agree with the previous poster that Ultimate Compound is a great product. You'll need to follow up with a less aggressive polish to ensure that there is no hazing. Griot's 3 or Meguiars 205 would fit the bill.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Wallyuwl: keep us updated on what you went with (which package) and how it worked out...I might be pulling the trigger soon, too...



I ended up getting this kit:

http://www.autogeek.net/random-orbital-polisher-kit.html

The Groits had great reviews, and has a lifetime warranty. The Flex were too expensive, the PC lost on the warranty front, and the Meguiars had some bad reviews.

I also got the Groits Garage Machine Polish #2 and #4. I also got two blue Cobra microfiber bonnets for removing the wax. Then some sealant, but I don't know for sure what one since it was on the recommendation of the customer service guy (who seemed like a "regular" worker, not just CS - he was VERY helpful) I talked to when I called in to change my order slightly from what I did online. He said it is what he uses. I think it was this:

http://www.autogeek.net/rejex-16oz.html

I will help my dad with his truck, and do our Equinox, next week.
 
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