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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:55 PM
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Looking for a recommendation on a new orbital poisher for my black C7. Thanks
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:01 PM
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Griots Garage (online)
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Griots Garage (online)
Yup, I have both the full size and the little one. Both are great
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:14 PM
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If you aren't experienced in polishing, I'd recommend a dual actual instead of an orbital.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:26 PM
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There is a difference between an orbital and a dual-action polisher. Stick with a dual-action polisher if you are a weekend warrior. Orbitals take time to learn and can easily burn through the paint if you're not careful. Orbitals do a better job at producing show car finishes in the right hands.

Last edited by MMD; Nov 21, 2018 at 05:28 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Sconn
If you aren't experienced in polishing, I'd recommend a dual actual instead of an orbital.
Originally Posted by MMD
There is a difference between an orbital and a dual-action polisher. Stick with a dual-action polisher if you are a weekend warrior. Orbitals take time to learn and can easily burn through the paint if you're not careful. Orbitals do a better job at producing show car finishes in the right hands.
The two types of polishers are ROTARY and Dual-Action Random Orbital.

Rotary polishers in the hands of the NON professional can damage the paint finish, the Dual-Action Random Orbitals would need to be literally dropped on the painted surface to potentially cause any damage.

A lot of models available, choose which features are most important to you, then decide.
Some vibrate more than others, some offer higher speeds for quicker correcting, etc.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by rkj427
The two types of polishers are ROTARY and Dual-Action Random Orbital.

Rotary polishers in the hands of the NON professional can damage the paint finish, the Dual-Action Random Orbitals would need to be literally dropped on the painted surface to potentially cause any damage.

A lot of models available, choose which features are most important to you, then decide.
Some vibrate more than others, some offer higher speeds for quicker correcting, etc.
Thank you for the correction.. Yes, it's the Rotary that is the one to steer clear of unless you know what you're doing.

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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by rkj427
The two types of polishers are ROTARY and Dual-Action Random Orbital.

Rotary polishers in the hands of the NON professional can damage the paint finish, the Dual-Action Random Orbitals would need to be literally dropped on the painted surface to potentially cause any damage.

A lot of models available, choose which features are most important to you, then decide.
Some vibrate more than others, some offer higher speeds for quicker correcting, etc.
I had been taught there are 2 general categories of polishers; orbital and random orbital. The orbital is strictly the rotary you mentioned and the random orbital consists of both the dual-action and cyclo polishers. Dual-action polishers can be further divided into 2 sub-categories 1) long throw and 2) short throw polishers.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:02 PM
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My Harbor Frieght Orbital works great for 1/2 the price of any other I have seen , been going strong for over 4 years and many different cars

I get my foam pads from Auto Zone .....again at 1/2 the price of what some of the name companies are selling them for and these are not the junk pads that fly apart while u are using them

The real workout for this polisher is when I do my BLACK Expedition ��
Sits outside and does not have a swirl mark in it ...
Dave
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:05 PM
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Love my Harbor Freight DA as well.. I tried using a porter cable but it just didn't cut it with all the angles, etc the C7 has.

I use Hexlogic pads.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Sconn
Love my Harbor Freight DA as well.. I tried using a porter cable but it just didn't cut it with all the angles, etc the C7 has.

I use Hexlogic pads.
With all the curves and lack of flat surfaces on the C7 I am thinking about getting a 3" inch polisher. They work better on these cars and are easier to control when panels are not flat.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by MMD

With all the curves and lack of flat surfaces on the C7 I am thinking about getting a 3" inch polisher. They work better on these cars and are easier to control when panels are not flat.
Thought about it myself, but so far the Harbor Freight has been doing OK and I'm nearly done working on mine.

A 3" polisher would be SO much easier though!
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Sconn
Thought about it myself, but so far the Harbor Freight has been doing OK and I'm nearly done working on mine.

A 3" polisher would be SO much easier though!
a 3 inch will take you forever and there is a higher chance of burning ...a good 6 inch pad works fine and it's all about how you hold and work the tool ....

Dave
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Dcasole
a 3 inch will take you forever and there is a higher chance of burning ...a good 6 inch pad works fine and it's all about how you hold and work the tool ....

Dave
Lol. Not for the entire car! Just for the tight spots, etc Using a 6" pad. It's fine. But for instance, the front splitter, spoiler, side skirts would be easier with a smaller pad.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Sconn
Lol. Not for the entire car! Just for the tight spots, etc Using a 6" pad. It's fine. But for instance, the front splitter, spoiler, side skirts would be easier with a smaller pad.
that's a relief lol lol .....yes for those spots you are right it's a pain with the 6 inch pad

Dave
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 07:02 PM
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You could just as well polish an entire Corvette just using a 3 inch polisher. Those areas Sconn mentioned could even use a smaller polisher. I think Rupes may even offer a 1 or 2 inch polisher but those things are crazy expensive.

Last edited by MMD; Nov 21, 2018 at 07:03 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MMD
You could just as well polish an entire Corvette just using a 3 inch polisher. Those areas Sconn mentioned could even use a smaller polisher. I think Rupes may even offer a 1 or 2 inch polisher but those things are crazy expensive.
Those would be great for the vent areas and around the mirrors, etc. Had no idea they made them so small.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by MMD
You could just as well polish an entire Corvette just using a 3 inch polisher. Those areas Sconn mentioned could even use a smaller polisher. I think Rupes may even offer a 1 or 2 inch polisher but those things are crazy expensive.
sure if you wanted to take 3 days to do it......

Dave
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 08:02 PM
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I have the Griot's Boss 21 and a Rupes 3". Both are fantastic machines...With that said, after owning the small Rupes, I'm confident that I would be happy with a Rupe's 15 or 21 as well.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Dcasole
sure if you wanted to take 3 days to do it......

Dave
3 days...slight exaggeration, no?
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