First time using orbital buffer 10" autospa

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I have always waxed by hand but today I bought the 10" autospa buffer at walmart and tried it out. It vibrates so much feels like my hands are going to fall off. Is this normal? I used the foam bonnet it came with to apply the nu finish, then took it off using a microfiber towel working small sections at a time. For trim around the windows and the bumpers I applied wax by hand because it seemed like the 10" buffer was too big for those areas.

Link to the buffer I bought:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/10-Random-Orbital-Buffer/39881400

Anyone have any reviews to the 6" black and decker buffer on amazon?
 
All buffers vibrate. Ones with a screw in handle like a Porter Cable will be somewhat better. The Black & Decker in question might be a little better because its smaller and has a handle further away from the motor.
I see the cars in your signature, you have a lot of sheet metal to polish.
 
If you're serious, get a Porter Cable 7424xp and a set of Chemical Guys Hex-logic pads or some Lake Country pads. You can also get a microfiber bonnet for wax removal.

Nothing even comes close.

I would not bother with the Black & Decker.
 
If the buffer vibrates as bad as you say then I'd say it has a problem. I have used various 10" orbital buffers and have not experienced bad vibrations. Presently I have a Harbor Freight model and just used it yesterday on my Honda Ridgeline without issues. It actually runs pretty smooth for a $20 buffer.
I know that Porter Cable and others are great tools but I like a larger pad as I wax my 5th wheel 2-3 times a year and it takes less time as I can cover more area.
 
Way too big. Get a smaller one around 6 inches. Return what you have to Walmart, they're fine about returns. Then go to Harbor Freight and buy one of their buffers for around $20 is my vote.

In the future if you want to step things up a notch then you can buy a $100+ buffer. But the HF ones are nice to start out with.
 
Here's a 7 inch that's prob the best bang for the buck:

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-60626.html

On sale for $40 - 20% off coupon in circular or maybe online = $32 + tax. This one will get rid of swirls and spider webbing. Megs Ultimate Compound from Walmart for $10. I'd prob start off with the cheapie pads from HF. You can upgrade down the road if you choose to. For many they suit their purpose.
 
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Here's a 7 inch that's prob the best bang for the buck:

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-60626.html

On sale for $40 - 20% off coupon in circular or maybe online = $32 + tax. This one will get rid of swirls and spider webbing. Megs Ultimate Compound from Walmart for $10. I'd prob start off with the cheapie pads from HF. You can upgrade down the road if you choose to. For many they suit their purpose.

Just be careful with that as it's a rotary and you can do some serious damage very quickly with one of those.
 
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Here's a 7 inch that's prob the best bang for the buck:

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-10-amp-variable-speed-polisher-60626.html

On sale for $40 - 20% off coupon in circular or maybe online = $32 + tax. This one will get rid of swirls and spider webbing. Megs Ultimate Compound from Walmart for $10. I'd prob start off with the cheapie pads from HF. You can upgrade down the road if you choose to. For many they suit their purpose.

Just be careful with that as it's a rotary and you can do some serious damage very quickly with one of those.

Oh yeah I want an idiot proof one since I'm new to the buffer game.
 
I'd remove with a plus microfiber. Do a test section first to make sure you're happy with the results. FastEddie is the expert so listen to him since he details for a living and does great work.

I didn't realize that was a rotary above. I though they had a random orbital that looked like that one above I linked.

Edit: here's the one I was thinking of but kind of up there price wise:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-57-amp-heavy-duty-dual-action-variable-speed-polisher-69924.html

20% off puts it at $56 + tax.
 
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The buffer you bought is called wax spreader. If you want something like that, get the small 6".

If you are serious, get the real dual action either from HFT, Groits or Porter Cable. But you have to up you budget significantly form $20.
 
I usually use a terry cloth bonnet for removal but this last time I tried a micro fiber bonnet and it worked well.
 
Chemical Guys just came out their version of random orbital polisher. They have some good deals as a part of kickoff promotion. Their stuff is usually alright. The machine is called TORQ.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Chemical Guys just came out their version of random orbital polisher. They have some good deals as a part of kickoff promotion. Their stuff is usually alright. The machine is called TORQ.

I'm surprised Chemical Guys hasn't bought a bunch of harbor freight polishers in a different color, slapped a Chemical Guys logo on them and sold them for 3 times the price.....well maybe they already have and I just don't know
cool.gif
 
Originally Posted By: gallydif
Is the census that a 6" buffer would be better suited than a 10" even though the cars I work on are big?

6"
http://m.harborfreight.com/6-inch-compact-palm-polisher-90219.html

10"
http://m.harborfreight.com/10-in-random-orbital-polisher-61898.html
Rule of thumb: the smaller the diameter the more power you will have at the pad. That's why we're seeing a lot of pads in 5" size. Now the 3" are more for areas too small to do with the larger ones and are easier to tilt so you must be more careful using them.
 
I bought the 6" one from harbor freight. Tried it out and worked wonderfully. The walmart one did have too much vibration. Ended up returning it.
 
Now use the returned Walmart credit and pick up Meguairs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish bottles and do small taped 1 foot by 1 foot section using UC followed by UP and be prepared to be astonished.
 
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