Electric Buffer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: MT .Dora Fl
Electric Buffer?
Would like to check with you all if anyone has used a buffer on their Vette? Mine is a 01 and I never have but wonder if it would leave round circles on the whole body of the car? 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I use one, after seeing a detailer use it to good effect. Used on a clean car, and with the proper waxes/polishes, it should not leave circles on the finish.
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Big Daddy G
Would like to check with you all if anyone has used a buffer on their Vette? Mine is a 01 and I never have but wonder if it would leave round circles on the whole body of the car?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 6,722
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
A friend who is a pro detailer swears by the new orbitals. BUT, no matter what is used, it must have a PERFECTLY clean pad on a PERFECTLY clean car, the correct compound, AND a knowledgeable operator. Wonders can be done, if correct. But, it also depends on the condition of the surface to be polished.
All the best.
All the best.
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,073
Likes: 236
From: West Palm Beach FL
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
I almost bought an orbital 4 or 5 days ago...
...then considered the finish done by hand...
...left off purchasing the orbital...
There are probably others here who do use them without marring the finish at all
...then considered the finish done by hand...
...left off purchasing the orbital...
There are probably others here who do use them without marring the finish at all
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Newport AR
I have to no ill effects. The important thing is to remeber that buffers are for WAX polishes, NOT FOR "No wax" POLYMERS.
Buffers will yeild a better shine than hand rubbing as they generate more heat to nelt and smooth the wax. t
Buffers will yeild a better shine than hand rubbing as they generate more heat to nelt and smooth the wax. t
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,775
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
As long as you are careful, use good products and keep the pads clean, you should be OK.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 7
From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by code5coupe
I use one, after seeing a detailer use it to good effect. Used on a clean car, and with the proper waxes/polishes, it should not leave circles on the finish.
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Meguiars, Griot's Garage, Harbor Freight, and probably a few others sell the Porter Cable Electric D/A (dual action) or also called R/O (random orbital) buffer.
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguia...&subcatagory=2
The pad spins at a variable speed up to about 4,000 rpm (set with a thumb wheel) and also the whole head moves in a random motion. It would be near to impossible to burn the paint with an R/O buffer.
But, you can buy a rotary polisher, (air or electric) that spins much faster, is not dual action - and in inexperienced hands, can REALLY make a mess of the paint! This is what the professional detailers and body shops use. In the right hands, with the right pad and materials, can work miracles.
Typically - the product is applied with the foam pad. The big advantage is the product is applied evenly and thinly - which makes it that much easier to remove the product (typically by hand) when it dries. If you are applying multiple products, you need to switch foam pads - as it is not recommended to mix products on the same pad.
Good luck!
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguia...&subcatagory=2
The pad spins at a variable speed up to about 4,000 rpm (set with a thumb wheel) and also the whole head moves in a random motion. It would be near to impossible to burn the paint with an R/O buffer.
But, you can buy a rotary polisher, (air or electric) that spins much faster, is not dual action - and in inexperienced hands, can REALLY make a mess of the paint! This is what the professional detailers and body shops use. In the right hands, with the right pad and materials, can work miracles.
Typically - the product is applied with the foam pad. The big advantage is the product is applied evenly and thinly - which makes it that much easier to remove the product (typically by hand) when it dries. If you are applying multiple products, you need to switch foam pads - as it is not recommended to mix products on the same pad.
Good luck!
Last edited by blacksedan87; Sep 24, 2004 at 04:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Please what ever you do make sure it is a variable speed orbital DO NOT get a rotary unless you have used it before and know what you are doing. Stay away from high spped orbital or rotary.
Variable orbital (DA) will not burn your paint rotary will.
If you go to meguairs.com and sign up for thier forum you can get a discount price.
Meguairs is porter cable with the clutches changesd and offers a lifetime guarentee through meguiars
Variable orbital (DA) will not burn your paint rotary will.
If you go to meguairs.com and sign up for thier forum you can get a discount price.
Meguairs is porter cable with the clutches changesd and offers a lifetime guarentee through meguiars
Last edited by iceburgh; Sep 24, 2004 at 07:12 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
I use the Porter Cable but have learned to replace the foam pads often, because even if they look clean after a wash, one microscopic imbedded piece of grit will cause swirls everywhere. I know, I did it, and it wasn't visible until the dreaded sun reflected upon my black coupe. Have since re-done the car with a new foam pad and the same Griots machine polish, etc. and the results are spectacular.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 2
From: Whidbey Island WA
Originally Posted by code5coupe
I use one, after seeing a detailer use it to good effect. Used on a clean car, and with the proper waxes/polishes, it should not leave circles on the finish.
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
May I recommend the Porter-Cable Orbital and the soft foam pads from Griot's?
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I would practice on another car, older car.. neighbors car etc before getting some practice time on your vette... especially since you have never used one..
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Stone Mountain GA
I use a Porter Cable orbital and NXT on my 98 Sebring Silver vert. I've had several people including a body shop owner ask if I've had it painted.
If you are a member of Meguiars online forum they have a good deal on their branded Porter Cabe kit till the end of September.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/
If you are a member of Meguiars online forum they have a good deal on their branded Porter Cabe kit till the end of September.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Columbus OH
I believed Richard Griot when he said that a first timer could do a perfect job with the Porter Cable 7424 and not harm the paint, and he was exactly right.
The random orbital action does all the work, and using the right plate allows the heat to dissipate, not transferring it to the paint.
I have been using the 7424 now for about 3 years on every vehicle, including my '04 Z06. I usually buff twice a year to keep the swirls away, and the finish looking pristine.....
The random orbital action does all the work, and using the right plate allows the heat to dissipate, not transferring it to the paint.
I have been using the 7424 now for about 3 years on every vehicle, including my '04 Z06. I usually buff twice a year to keep the swirls away, and the finish looking pristine.....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
I would practice on another car, older car.. neighbors car etc before getting some practice time on your vette... especially since you have never used one..
I used the stealerships POS loaner last week as a test subject. I only did one spot to get a feel for my new toy. I only left a clean spot, wasn't able to burn the paint. Darn it all! 
