Orbital Buffer Use?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,740
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
Orbital Buffer Use?
I have a motorized buffer that i was thinking about using on my vette and was wondering if there is anything i should know before i do, or if i should just take the wax off by hand.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (n1kki6)
:nono: Just as Joan Crawford says "No Wire Hangers" you should never use mecanical buffers on your Corvette. If you want to take the wax off your car, wash it a couple times with Dawn dish soap
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
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From: Chesapeake VA
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (JonM)
I was visiting a Chevy Dealer in Raleigh, NC this weekend, and they had 3 2001's they were selling right next to their new 2002 models. Someone had gone "buffer crazy" on those 2001's and the swirl marks were unbelieveable! :eek: They had a 2001 Z06 that was covered in swirl marks! Enough to make you cry! Personnaly, I would stay away from a mechanical buffer, and stick to pure 100% cotton cloths and a soft hand touch. :seeya :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
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From: Atlanta Ga
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Square)
While I understand these comments, how do you treat a paint job that has a final wet sand using something like a 1000 grit to smooth paint imperfections. We always used to use a buffer for jobs like this to restore the shine after sanding. This was usually laquer based finishes and not on vettes?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county Pa
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Dolfan)
While I understand these comments, how do you treat a paint job that has a final wet sand using something like a 1000 grit to smooth paint imperfections. We always used to use a buffer for jobs like this to restore the shine after sanding. This was usually laquer based finishes and not on vettes?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, WA
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (n1kki6)
Buffer use should be approached very C A R E F U L L Y especialy along the body ridges and edges. Most of my experience (and that of many in the Car Care section) has shown better results without a buffer. Lots of good products available.
Plus, I'd second the DAWN dish soap idea for wax removal. :)
Plus, I'd second the DAWN dish soap idea for wax removal. :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,800
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From: Remember what the dormouse said.....
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (JonM)
Ummmmmmm Dawn will NOT remove any silicone based wax. It will not remove Zaino either.
Dont TOUCH your paint with a direct drive buffer. ORBITAL ONLY!!!!!!
[Modified by Thomas, 6:17 PM 5/13/2002]
[Modified by Thomas, 6:18 PM 5/13/2002]
Dont TOUCH your paint with a direct drive buffer. ORBITAL ONLY!!!!!!
[Modified by Thomas, 6:17 PM 5/13/2002]
[Modified by Thomas, 6:18 PM 5/13/2002]
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,800
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From: Remember what the dormouse said.....
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Airborne)
Ummmmmmm Dawn will NOT remove any silicone based wax. It will not remove Zaino either.
No, but alchohol will. :)
No, but alchohol will. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Thomas)
Actually, even the alcohol takes forever to remove the Zaino. That is truly tenacious stuff.
And the Porter-Cable random orbital buffer with 6" foam pads is a beautiful piece of work. I've been using mine one panel at a time on my black '93, with fine swirl mark remover, and the car looks incredibly better. Any further improvement, unfortunately, requires a new paint job...
As long as you use low RPMs, a foam pad, fine-cut polish, and never, ever let your pad pick up dust and grit from anything else, you'll be fine. But don't polish until the car is absolutely clean and clayed. Then clean it again.
And the Porter-Cable random orbital buffer with 6" foam pads is a beautiful piece of work. I've been using mine one panel at a time on my black '93, with fine swirl mark remover, and the car looks incredibly better. Any further improvement, unfortunately, requires a new paint job...
As long as you use low RPMs, a foam pad, fine-cut polish, and never, ever let your pad pick up dust and grit from anything else, you'll be fine. But don't polish until the car is absolutely clean and clayed. Then clean it again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,800
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From: Remember what the dormouse said.....
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (IMXCITD)
And why is this? I have been using it and the results are great?
Best use for that orbital buffer is to keep it in the closet! If not..you will be sorry. :)
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,266
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From: Redmond, WA
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Thomas)
I'm cuttin' Thomas some slack on this one. There are some beautiful "buffed" Vettes I've seen at the Show & Shines. It no doubt is just like any other detailing work except that in the wrong hands damage is a distinct possibility. :(
It's just that there are so many examples out there of what NOT to do.
One other thing re Zaino. The stuff (great as it is) is almost impossible to remove from pebbled plastic body moulding found on many Sport Utes. :cheers:
It's just that there are so many examples out there of what NOT to do.
One other thing re Zaino. The stuff (great as it is) is almost impossible to remove from pebbled plastic body moulding found on many Sport Utes. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 221
From: Remember what the dormouse said.....
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Airborne)
In THEORY, you should only have to polish the car one time, to remove the small scratches/swirls. With a little care, a person should not be putting them back into the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
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From: Oviedo FL
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (Thomas)
I have been using a low-speed orbital for years and wouldn't use anything else. Mine is of the 9" variety and as far as I can recall, I have never seen a swirl mark on the car. Granted, I only use the buffer to apply polish and wax, and never to remove it. I do that by hand. Also, I only use Maguiers products. Have thought of trying Zaino but really don't have the need...
Mike
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Mountain View California
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Orbital Buffer Use? (luvmy92)
A little trick I learned from a pro when using an orbital. (when removing)
The buffing pad after a 'short' while gets caked with wax and little particulates that it picks up along the way thus causing scratches and swirls.
Take a 'small' 100% cotton towel and place it between your pad and the finish,
the towel will rotate very slowly and since it's larger than the pad, you can turn it frequently and shake it out. The buffer pad never touches the car. On verticle surfaces, just hold the towel and place the buffer against it, it won't fly.
I have no buffer marks. As far as taking off by hand, this is fine but I find that we mere humans are not able to maintain an even pressure, sometimes we press down harder causing marks as well.
BTW: I'm a Zainoholic, I wax and buff mine 6~10 times a month, thanks to ZFX... :cheers: :seeya
The buffing pad after a 'short' while gets caked with wax and little particulates that it picks up along the way thus causing scratches and swirls.
Take a 'small' 100% cotton towel and place it between your pad and the finish,
the towel will rotate very slowly and since it's larger than the pad, you can turn it frequently and shake it out. The buffer pad never touches the car. On verticle surfaces, just hold the towel and place the buffer against it, it won't fly.
I have no buffer marks. As far as taking off by hand, this is fine but I find that we mere humans are not able to maintain an even pressure, sometimes we press down harder causing marks as well.
BTW: I'm a Zainoholic, I wax and buff mine 6~10 times a month, thanks to ZFX... :cheers: :seeya