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Mar 7, 2009 | 03:19 PM

electricfish

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 423

Likes: 48

From: winchester Virginia

polisher

Has anyone used the harbor freight (chicago electric) orbital polisher, its cheap and maybe worth a try if it isn't a total pos.

Thanks, efish

Mar 7, 2009 | 03:55 PM

Gary96

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,443

Likes: 3

From: Independence Kentucky

I bought a cheap Shop Force 10 inch buffer last spring. It works great and I can wax my Vette a lot faster with the buffer than I can by hand.

Mar 7, 2009 | 05:26 PM

ZRWON

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 2,619

Likes: 1

From: Whidbey Island Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricfish

Has anyone used the harbor freight (chicago electric) orbital polisher, its cheap and maybe worth a try if it isn't a total pos. Thanks, efish

Why do you think you need a buffer? I've seen many paint jobs ruined by someone with little expertise using a cheap buffer. The pros use Porter Cable adjustable speed buffers so they can adjust the RPMs to the requirements of the compound they are using for the step in polishing they are working.
Most all great shines can be had without risking buffer damage to your paint by starting with a clay bar application, followed by a polish that comes in several strengths (all hand applied and buffed), then followed by applying a resin/acrylic gLaze. This whole process takes about 2 hours to do on a Vette and none of the steps require hard rubbing or working up a sweat to complete! Your shiney finish will be good for at least 6 months with this & all you need is a 3 min quick detailer spray for touch ups when you want to get a "just polished" look.
I personally will not use wax base products. They are soft and every hand that touches your car leaves an impression. That will not happen with non-wax based products. There are several vendors at this CF link that sell the procducts I am describing and some even have videos demonstrating what I posted.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/car-care-discussion-10/

The following pictures show cars that have been shined as I discussed...none have ever been touched with a buffer

Last edited by ZRWON; Mar 7, 2009 at 06:55 PM.

Mar 7, 2009 | 05:30 PM

pologreen1

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 20,974

Likes: 261

yup, my dad had a place buff his car last year, and guess what they went and buff the paint to a fade on his door. UGH not for me. He taught me to wax by hand, he should have followed his own advice.

Mar 7, 2009 | 06:31 PM

Weav's Vet

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 3,616

Likes: 5

From: Sandhills of North Carolina

Get a Porter Cable.

Mar 7, 2009 | 06:36 PM

CorvetteMike2024

Corvette Enthusiast

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 6,797

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From: So. Cal.

2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified

2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Zr1

ZRWON

Thanks for the tips!

Your cars look GOOD!

Mike

Last edited by CorvetteMike2024; Mar 7, 2009 at 07:34 PM.

Mar 7, 2009 | 06:52 PM

ZRWON

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 2,619

Likes: 1

From: Whidbey Island Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004

ZRWON

Thanks for the tips!

You cars look GOOD!
Mike

Thanks for the nice words Mike, I wish they were all mine, but only the yellow BEAST2 is mine. The others belong to some of our Corvette Club members. We have several people in the club who maintain both their garage queens and DDs the way I described.
Last time I used clay bar on BEAST2 was over 4 years ago. I put a glaze on it last spring. All the rest of the time it's just the Quick Spray Stuff. I use the "wet look" type. In the quick spray product lines it's about same price as the regular sprays.