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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 ....
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.