Buffer/Polisher?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Wallingford CT.
Buffer/Polisher?
Hi everyone.......I am looking to buy a buffer/polisher. What name do you recomend and where are the best prices. I'v heard about Porter Cable and Griot's Garage.Thanks,
Rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Those are toys.
I have a Ingersol Rand air buffer 8" pad.
I also have a Skil electric with a 8" pad.
De walt has an excellent electric buffer, vairable speed for the girls.
If you don't know how to use a buffer go with the DeWalt.
If you want a toy go with the other ones and by the way there all made in China by the same company......
I have a Ingersol Rand air buffer 8" pad.
I also have a Skil electric with a 8" pad.
De walt has an excellent electric buffer, vairable speed for the girls.
If you don't know how to use a buffer go with the DeWalt.
If you want a toy go with the other ones and by the way there all made in China by the same company......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 6
From: Red Sox Nation! RI
Makita makes a nice rotary with adjustable speed, too. I think the best price I've seen for them new was on e-bay - under $200. If you want a cheap one, Harbor Freight has a decent one that I've seen on sale for about $30.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I agree, I've used Makita buffers for years.
I have a Makita #9227C 7" buffer which is Very Quiet. Some of the other brands have a loud high pitched sound which is very bad unless you wear hearing protection.
If you just want to wax and polish your vehicles, The Porter Cable Random Orbital buffer/polisher is safe for the beginner and very easy to use.
I have a Makita #9227C 7" buffer which is Very Quiet. Some of the other brands have a loud high pitched sound which is very bad unless you wear hearing protection.
If you just want to wax and polish your vehicles, The Porter Cable Random Orbital buffer/polisher is safe for the beginner and very easy to use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
My wife works at a votech near our home so I spend alot of time talking to the guy that teaches body shop. He has both Makita and Dewalt buffers and when I asked him why he uses these brands he said because they are the only ones that will hold up with kids using them. So I figure if anyone knows about what is best it would be him..
..WW
..WW
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 253
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From: VetteTown-TwinCities MN
with the Makita guys. It costs a lot more, but it's a precision tool.I detailed cars for a living from 1986-1995. I have used the SAME variable Makita for about 17 years. It goes from 1K RPM- 13K RPM! The only thing I had to replace was the cord, and thousands of pads! Remember, like most things, it can get expensive if you want to do it right.
The only problem i see (and i ran a 10 man detailed shop for 2 years) was the Higher speeds on the Makita make it VERY EASY to burn your paint!
If you don't know what "Burning the paint" means, You should stay with the Chinese buffer. They are slower, and safer for your molding, rubber, and paint. I've seen hundreds of cars ruined because people tried to detail them the wrong way. BTW- I hate swirl marks... God Bless!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
I had a Black & Decker commercial (same as De Walt) and it lasted for years in my body shop. It's a nice piece of equipment. I wish I had my girly buffer back. I use my 8" Portar Cable Grinder for buffing now, but it's a pain. I'd rather have to not move as fast and not be on my toes every second while using it. The B&D was great for all finishes. Wool cutting pad for the heavy orange peel and a foam finese pad for getting rid of the swirl marks. Like I said, it worked great.
As was stated, if you've never used one, it's almost worth buying a fender from the junkyard to practice on so you don't wreck an expensive paint job.
As was stated, if you've never used one, it's almost worth buying a fender from the junkyard to practice on so you don't wreck an expensive paint job.
Last edited by earthquake68; Nov 14, 2008 at 04:21 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Since you've never used a buffer before, go to a good body or detail shop and ask them if they can show you how to buff properly. It's hard to explain in text and watching is the best way to learn.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
Last edited by GKK; Nov 14, 2008 at 05:02 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Since you've never used a buffer before, go to a good body or detail shop and ask them if they can show you how to buff properly. It's hard to explain in text and watching is the best way to learn.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
Next is the DeWalt variable......the rest are toys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Three of the most important things to remember when buffing is ( Start off with the buffer running at a slower speed so you don't burn the paint,Keep the buffer moving at all times, and Never run the buffer on a edge..
..WW
..WW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
Since you've never used a buffer before, go to a good body or detail shop and ask them if they can show you how to buff properly. It's hard to explain in text and watching is the best way to learn.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
Buffing takes skill patience and experience to know what to watch out for and can really damage a paint finish if not careful.
You probably do not want to learn the do's and don'ts of buffing on your Corvette.As to what buffer you need, it depends on what you are trying to correct. There isnt' only one tool for the job.
My two cents, but if you want to start out with less risk, I'd start out with an orbital polisher like a Porter Cable, or if you want a real quality tool that you could pass onto your kids, a Cyclo. Even if you find you want/need a rotary buffer, an orbital will still have a use/place in your toolbox as not every problem needs a rotary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
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From: seattle WA
I've had my experience with buffers, and I don't use them on the vette since the new paint job, elbow grease on it, meaning I polish it by hand. I had the misfortune of burning through paint on a new 4X4. I also don't like swirl marks or paterns. One thing I'll caution you about is if you do use a buffer, don't go cheapo on pads, make sure you know what compound you're putting on your paint (some are more abrasive than others) to me, low speed is the best, because with high speed (at least in my experience) makes it easier to burn through.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: In a pineapple under the sea.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
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If y'all (and that means everyone) can't discuss this in a more civilized way, I'll just lock the thread.
Be nice or be gone. 'Nuf said.
Be nice or be gone. 'Nuf said.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
having some good 3M foam round edge waffle pads (white and gray)might end up costing more than the buffer......not to mention some finese II, and3M micro etc. compounds......vari-speed electrics are fine
I like the girls buffer part....
very manly mo' power
I like the girls buffer part....
very manly mo' power