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Go on the Griots website. Not only do they have products for cleaning and waxing but their polishing tools are fantastic. The G9 is a great all around great DA tool. Not cheap but the quality, durability and customer service can not be beat. They have a 15% discount going through today but they almost always have some type of special that helps. Get on their mailing list and you can take advantage of a special when you are ready.
I ordered a kit with an assortment of pads from Chemical Guys for $150 last year, it has performed well. Whatever you purchase be sure to also get a good range of pads.
I use a Griots Garage G9 to do all my vehicles, bout $150-160. I use a 5" backing plate, not the stock 6". Then I use only Lake Country CCS 5.5" pads myself but Rupes is another great brand I've tried. Then a whole series of Meguiars compounds you can run with that might be available at Autozone, etc. I use Jescar.
Wait til Autogeek has some kind of 20% off sale, which they do almost every other week.
You could use a Porter Cable or spend the money for a Flex, Flex is good. Depends how much "umph" you need.
Your in the price range the best bar non buffer / polisher in the professional world
Is the Dewalt dwp849x the price is dropping making this a UNbeatable purchase.
Most are toy's in comparison.
Actual buff job. Photo taken from the paint
Reflecting back like a mirror.
Last edited by THE 383 admiral; Dec 14, 2020 at 02:28 PM.
Reason: photo
this G9 buffer is good for the "rookie" and does a very good job mild buffing/polishing. and forgiving not burning through paint.
the dewalt is for very experienced. With extreme wet sand perfections where extreme power reserve is required.
this G9 buffer is good for the "rookie" and does a very good job mild buffing/polishing. and forgiving not burning through paint.
the dewalt is for very experienced. With extreme wet sand perfections where extreme power reserve is required.
Then the Dewalt is not for me. This is the 1st time I'm using one, usually do it by hand
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I highly recommend a Flex 3401, it does a great job and you won't burn the paint. They have gone up in price and I paid $300 new for mine. I have used both the Porter Cable and the Flex, they both do the same job. However, the real difference is that the Flex will do the job about twice as fast and your hands will NOT be vibrating and tingling after use like with the Porter Cable. I've had my Flex for at least eight years with no issues and they do have a lifetime warranty. Here is a used one on eBay... FLEX I would never recommend a orbital sander like a DeWalt for polishing only for a rough cut, way too easy to burn the paint.
Last edited by Buccaneer; Dec 14, 2020 at 06:03 PM.
I've been using the same Porter Cable for the last 7 years and there is yet a scratch I can't get out. I mainly use it on hard Audi paint but I also brought my 85 paint back to it's original shine. https://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-pad-kit.html
I don't see one there now, but I wouldn't be afraid to get a refurbished one as mine has lasted a long time. For your first one, there's no reason to spend a lot of money. Autopia (like the others) usually has some "deal" going on (eg, sign up for email and get $25 off a $100+ purchase)
I have a Porter Cable and like it. I don't do a lot of buffing but when I bought my 93 Corvette it had water spots
all over it. I looked at a number of buffers and liked the Porter Cable for the money.
Just my experience - you will be better served with foam pads and will have little use for a wool pad. In MOST lines of polishing pads the white one is the all-purpose pad, and maybe that's all you'll need. Depending on your paint, you might also need a yellow or orange (more "cut"). This really isn't rocket science. Nearly no chance of harming your paint. Lots of how-to's out there.
I am polishing one of my xjr's as we speak. Here's what I was able to do with a foam pad and a swirl remover. Next up, less aggressive pad and finishing polish.
I just apply Griots products by hand. I probably have way better pictures some place, though.
These are cloud reflections on a wet surface...
I could see the convenience in wanting to use buffers but it just doesn't seem as satisfying to me. Machines make it too much like a chore and not so much for enjoyment. Plus I can hear the radio while I'm doing it. I appreciate the nostalgia in doing that way. But whatever. Everybody does it different.
I just apply Griots products by hand. I probably have way better pictures some place, though.
These are cloud reflections on a wet surface...
I could see the convenience in wanting to use buffers but it just doesn't seem as satisfying to me. Machines make it too much like a chore and not so much for enjoyment. Plus I can hear the radio while I'm doing it. I appreciate the nostalgia in doing that way. But whatever. Everybody does it different.
thats great, but I applied meguires ultimate compound to my daily driver(oxidation) and I wouldn't do it by hand again. I have used zaino products for 20 years('99 black firehawk) and plan on continuing using it on the vette. I did some research and using the zaino products with a da polisher wastes alot of product, but it is easy to apply and remove
I agree with you on all counts. But a good Flex is going to be around $500. For his budget, I'd buy Griot's or Porter Cable.
DA orbitaul polishers
