Quick question: hand buff or machine?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 490
From: Houston, Texas
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Fort Campbell KY
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Somerset Kentucky... Life's Abundant For Those Who Believe
I have read a number of car care boards and am convinced that unless you know what you are doing and buy the "right" kind of orbital polisher....it can become an orbital "sander" and really screw up your paint job. I passed a perfectly nice black Infinity the other day, that looked liked a giant carp because of the circular swirl marks that someone had imbedded into the finish with a polisher.
I am a "hands only" wash/wax guy! The exercise keeps us young and fit!
I am a "hands only" wash/wax guy! The exercise keeps us young and fit!
Completely agree. A good wax, a good microfib towel and bam... beauty without the chance of messing up the paint.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,189
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From: Northwest Arkansas
My PC orbital makes putting the Zaino on a breeze... then wipe it off with a M/F towel. (I'll admit the PC uses a bit more Zaino product than hand applicator, but sure is easier!)
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
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From: MS
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 163
From: Anaheim Hills CA
Griot's orbital polisher
I have waxing cars for over 40 years and always did it by hand. Never trusted a buffer as they were called. I have a 2007 Tahoe that is black and it got some swirl marks from hand polishing with a some dirty clay. I bought the Griot unit in hopes that it would work as advertised. It did and the paint on that Tahoe draws comments weekly. Buy one and you will be pleased. No I do not work for them but they are a great outfit to do business with. Google "Griot's Garage". Item number 10925.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Porter Cable 7424 Random Orbital Polisher - Accept NO SUBSTITUTE!!!
Then go to the car care forum to learn about the different foam pads to use, different products to use, how to use the PC 7424, etc. Once you have it shiny and swirl free, protection in the form of Carnauba wax like Meguiar's Yellow Wax or polymer sealants like Zaino should applied by hand and the residue wiped off with microfiber towels. It's still a lot of work for an old guy.
Last edited by JmpnJckFlsh; Apr 5, 2008 at 03:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
I think the ball is for hard to reach areas on wheels. I've heard the power buffer is safe and some of the posts here say so. But I think there is more chance of marks or scratches with power tool.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Earlier this week, I used my PC 7424 to compound and polish my utility vehicle to absolute perfection on a calm day...no swirls, no scratches, no marks. The next day I washed the truck again, and started to apply Zaino with a single finger...I didn't realize it, but the wind picked up and left a nearly invisible dust film on the truck as I worked. After I finished, I had tiny little swirl marks just the diameter of my finger movement.
It doesn't matter what method you use to wash or polish your vehicle: If you don't keep grit out of the process, you WILL get scratches and swirls
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 1
From: Cypress Texas
Yo, Bro, try Zaino. I bought a kit a couple weeks back and just last night had some time to use it. I used the Z7 wash and then the Z5 wax. WOW! Whoever had my Baby before me didn't take very good care of her and she's got some buff marks on her. I'm thinking a couple more application of Z5 and that should do it. When it gets warmer I'm going to use the clay bar (Z18) all over and then go to the Z2 wax.
Last night after washing and drying, the waxing, which I admit was only half-a$$ed by me, still turned out a great hard shine and I only spent about 2.5 hours. I intend to take a whole weekend to do the clay, wash, wax, buff, wax, buff, wax buff. Still, after half-a$$ing it, I'm still impressed.
Last night after washing and drying, the waxing, which I admit was only half-a$$ed by me, still turned out a great hard shine and I only spent about 2.5 hours. I intend to take a whole weekend to do the clay, wash, wax, buff, wax, buff, wax buff. Still, after half-a$$ing it, I'm still impressed.
