decent Power buffers...

[darament]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with random orbital buffers? I was looking to buy a buffer because i'm just tired of doing it all by hand. I was thinking about either a random orbital or a high speed buffer. i'm torn because I don't know what would really qualify as high speed exactly. Is it one that goes 4500+ or how about 2500+. I don't really want to spend a whole lot on one but am thinking 150 would be my max.

the porter cable 7424 Random Orbital Buffer is one that seems popular but I haven't really been able to find anything else in my range or that peaks my interest. i'm thinking I want one that does at least 3000 rpm.

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[hybrid gti 2]

Clay bar is better then a buffer

[darament]

ok. thats not really the point, I don't really intend on using a buffer to clean off particulates. I just don't want to hand apply the wax when everythings all said and done anymore.

[Hines]

claybar is not better then a buffer/polisher.....claybar doesnt fix anything, just removes impurities.

[Hines]

ohh an to answer your question, the porter 7424 is a real good choice, especially if your just starting out. its what i still use most of the time.

[cdv478]

I had an old Craftsman orbital for a while, but when I used to clean cars, we had either pneumatic or electric rotary buffers. The electric were Makita. The orbital was ok for waxing and not actually polishing, but I think the results are as dependent on the bonnet as the actual buffer.

I eventually bought a rotary buffer from Harbor Freight for $50 and use a Makita bonnet. You can destroy a car's finish and even rip off trim with a rotary, but once you learn to use it, the results are impressive. You can spend lots more on a rotary and find a lot that are better, but I've had mine 3 years and have had no trouble. It does what I need it to do and the price was great. If you aren't only interested in orbitals, it's something to consider.

[darament]

ohh an to answer your question, the porter 7424 is a real good choice, especially if your just starting out. its what i still use most of the time.

ok i was leaning towards that since it's an orbital buffer so the chance of me messing up my paint would be really slim. plus i'm just up for any good reason to buy a power tool.

I had an old Craftsman orbital for a while, but when I used to clean cars, we had either pneumatic or electric rotary buffers. The electric were Makita. The orbital was ok for waxing and not actually polishing, but I think the results are as dependent on the bonnet as the actual buffer.

yeah I had the weak little 300 rpm orbital from craftsman that was the single handed one and after 20 minutes of trying to get it to provide any sort of result I just went back to doing the wax job by hand. maybe it's just me but I think I spend too much time waxing by hand(4 hours) so that basically makes washing my car an all day thing. which I am kind of not digging too much.

i've been trying to read up on powered options but i haven't been able to find enough information to be able to make a educated enough decision.

[GARGOYLE]

If your starting out or not, the porter cable is the way to go.
I don't give a rats testicle how long some detailer has been doing paid gigs,we
all are prone to mistakes.The P.C is safe and effective.
Also,polishers are what you want not a buffer.polishers remove swirls and are great for wax applications as well.
Anything stronger is for industrial lightning fast applications w/heavily damaged paint.

[darament]

If your starting out or not, the porter cable is the way to go.
I don't give a rats testicle how long some detailer has been doing paid gigs,we
all are prone to mistakes.The P.C is safe and effective.
Also,polishers are what you want not a buffer.polishers remove swirls and are great for wax applications as well.
Anything stronger is for industrial lightning fast applications w/heavily damaged paint.

so I don't need one that goes to ungodly speeds. thats good to know well hopefully I can find one around town before I wash my car if it does turn out to be decent out.

[hybrid gti 2]

Originally Posted by darament

ok. thats not really the point, I don't really intend on using a buffer to clean off particulates. I just don't want to hand apply the wax when everythings all said and done anymore.

In that case anything should do. Even a cheap $20 special. Yet the connections inside stopped working. Just got a craftsman 10in. Yet haven't used it yet. Yet it includes everything, but the wax.

[Hines]

yeah, if you dont plan on removing scratches/swirl marks (paint corrections) then your wasting your money buying the 7424.

[djerickd]

PC or UDM are both great choices if you are wiling to spend that much. I think the craftsman is probably "decent" (anything beats doing it by hand)

[mongolloid]

I've used the Griot's Garage Rb buffer because I thought it would be less work. I don't know about the other buffers, but the Griot's is nice, but I think doing it by hand is easier and less work for me.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by Hines

yeah, if you dont plan on removing scratches/swirl marks (paint corrections) then your wasting your money buying the 7424.

....many have used the PC to successfully remove cobwebbing, buffer swirls and other blemishes (especially true in the case of Subaru's soft paint). ...me being one of them. It is a relatively inexpensive ROB with adequate power if you're using the right pads and products. Especially for the DIY'er who will likely be doing one major correction and follow ups every 1-2 times per year on their personal vehicle(s). Having said that, if you have the extra dough, the Flex is a better choice. Being a more powerful machine it will cut your polishing time.

[Pakelika]

Yeah I was just going to mention the Flex. I personally have a PC7424, and it works great, but a little more time consuming than the flex. But the flex comes at an extra cost. So I would still suggest getting a PC if it's your first try.

You can find them on special sometimes.

In fact autopia's website has one on sale now and also a kit that comes with different pads to get your started. check it out.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/pcdepot.html

[darament]

In that case anything should do. Even a cheap $20 special. Yet the connections inside stopped working. Just got a craftsman 10in. Yet haven't used it yet. Yet it includes everything, but the wax.

maybe theres something wrong with my post or something. with that being said, I will try to clarify. or maybe I am missing something.

I am looking for a power buffer/polisher. I just like cleaning my car.
With a power buffer theres a few more options than hand waxing too which I would like to still be able to have the option to do but might not be completely utilized at all times. I don't think a lesser buffer would be able to acomplish.

the simplified process is
1: wash/rinse
2: clay/rinse
3: polish/wax
right?
you polish and wax without particulates on the car because rotating dirt with a buffer doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Kean]

Originally Posted by darament

maybe theres something wrong with my post or something. with that being said, I will try to clarify. or maybe I am missing something.

I am looking for a power buffer/polisher. I just like cleaning my car.
With a power buffer theres a few more options than hand waxing too which I would like to still be able to have the option to do but might not be completely utilized at all times. I don't think a lesser buffer would be able to acomplish.

the simplified process is
1: wash/rinse
2: clay/rinse
3: polish/wax
right?
you polish and wax without particulates on the car because rotating dirt with a buffer doesn't seem like a good idea.

....I would highly recommend reading some of the applicable articles contained with the following link. They will answer many (if not all) of your questions:

http://guidetodetailing.com/topics.php?topicId=17

There are several main topics in the left hand column that will lead to other interesting/informative articles.

[darament]

....I would highly recommend reading some of the applicable articles contained with the following link. They will answer many (if not all) of your questions:

http://guidetodetailing.com/topics.php?topicId=17

There are several main topics in the left hand column that will lead to other interesting/informative articles.

sweet i'll be spending the weekend reading up on that stuff thanks.

[Vew]

I also hear a lot of good things about the Flex. Debating on dropping the cash for it in the spring.

[zerosdad]

start out with either a makita or dewalt. they are both high power and will teach you technique. however if your car is important to you id say find somebody with a crappy car to practice on first. clay bars are great for removing any clear contamination (pitting, stubborn bug guts, small amounts of tar and road paint) but they are by NO MEANS A REPLACEMENT FOR A BUFFER! dont care what anyone here says 10yrs of recon has taught me that clay bars make buffing easier but do not remove scratches (unless you have some sort of magic bar...lol)

[Kean]

Originally Posted by zerosdad

....10yrs of recon has taught me that clay bars make buffing easier but do not remove scratches (unless you have some sort of magic bar...lol)

.....a 10 minute search on the internet reading product descriptions and/or tech articles should convince one to reach the same conclusion.

[bozzz]

what the best wax to use

[Kean]

Originally Posted by bozzz

what the best wax to use

....unfortunately, the answer to this question is not a black & white. While there are good products and ones that may work better than others, there will always be several opposing views as to what works "best". .....or what defines a product as "best" (i.e. durability, appearance, ease of use, slickness, price, value, etc.). There are dozens of products available and just as many opinions about them. .....Zaino, Klasse, P21s, Collinite, Meguiars, Zymol, Optimum, Poorboys, Surf City, Adams, Duragloss, Einszett, etc., etc. Finding someone who has truthfully tried them all and can form an objective opinion is a different story (the Autopia forums is a good place to search for reviews and form your own conclusions).

Personally, I prefer Zaino (Z-AIO, Z-5 & Z-2) for several of the reasons mentioned above. Although I wouldn't consider it the "best" product out there, it is the one sealant I still use even after trying others. ....and I admit that I have come nowhere close to trying them all.

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by bozzz

what the best wax to use

I'd tell you what wax NOT to use:
TurtleWax.

[mongolloid]

Originally Posted by bozzz

what the best wax to use

I like Blitz carnuba wax