I was looking into buying a cordless, variable buffer for my c-8. I am Getting old and that hand waxing is getting old too
But after reading about buffers its getting confuseing.
So.....do you buff and if so what do you recommend??

 

Try this forum section: Car Care Discussion - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

 

What does buff mean? Are you talking about applying wax and then wiping it off when dry? Or are you talking about paint correction. I think since you mentioned waxing you mean the former. So... I also am a waxer. I use Griot's Best of Show Liquid Wax which is applied and then wiped off when dry. I have tried to use a corded Griot's random orbital to apply the wax, but I found that to be cumbersome, not because of the cord, but just because of the weight of the machine etc. In the end I found it much, much easier just to use a hand applicator. It goes on and spreads so easily with a hand applicator that the machine just did not make sense to me. As for wiping off, Griots does not recommend a machine for removal of the wax residue, but rather use of a microfiber towel. And again, it wipes off so easily that a machine does not make sense. If I found a product difficult to remove, I would try a different product. Bottom line for me is that the machine was more trouble than it was worth for waxing and removal of wax residue.

It is a different story if you want to do some paint prep. Griot's sells a surface prep pad that is used with a random orbital, and it is meant to take the place of the clay bar. It is used with Speed Shine as a lubricant, and will remove surface contaminants from the paint leaving it very, very smooth. There is no polish or abrasive compound involved - it just pulls contaminants from the surface. I have had good results with that. Wax, or something, should be applied afterward. But even so, the car has lots of contours and edges, and some handwork is still required - they sell a handheld version of the surface prep pad for that.

I know nothing about cordless machines, but I suspect they will be as heavy, or heavier than a corded machine. Also, I do not have any kind of ceramic coating or seal coat applied to my paint, and I know nothing about how to care for those.

 

Check the Autogeek and Griot’s Garage websites. They sell a lot of products and even have videos for using buffers, pads, polishes, waxes, etc.

 

After some research I ended up buying this one: FLEX XC 3401 VRG HD Orbital Polisher. It is expensive but besides polishing can also be used for DIY paint correction when different pads are used.

 

Both good sites for car care needs. You can also check the Adam’s Polishes website for what they offer.

 

Hmm,
FWIW stopped using old fashion "Wax" some time ago when I got my C6 in 2008! I'm not "old" yet ONLY 80 but why mess with Simonize I used on my 1st cars starting in 1959!

When I was still working full time, my Plasma Cutting product/business manager parked his Vette next to my '93 40th Anniversary Vette. It always looked better than mine and he used Zaino products. He used it the "hard way" with multiple layers, needing an additive!

For my C6 emailed Sal at Zaino who said what I found on the Net as "an easy way to use" works great IF like all their products you use very sparingly. Hard to overstate that!

Yep, I use their polish that is a clear liquid and does require removal. Not hard IF you use as directed- sparingly! If you need a buffer you applied it wrong! I use without mixing then I apply their Clear Seal (CS.) As Sal said, CS sets the polish. Love CS as it's "apply and let dry" NO buffing. Takes about 5 minutes. I use only CS on my C8 wheels, side skirts and splitter.

Your choice you can use Carnauba wax from beaten tree leaves in Brazil OR the modern way! There are other good products that don't require a buffer to apply!

 

I thought ceramic coating was "the modern way"

 

I'm with Jerry U above....... haven't waxed a car in YEARS, ever since our 2013 60th Anniversary 427 C6. Now, with a new vehicle, I wash it in Dawn soap to remove anything the dealer may have sprayed on it, clay bar it if necessary, re wash it, and then Ceramic Coat it. I have used Adams Polishes' Graphene Ceramic Coating liquid on 2 of our daily drivers, and on the last 3 Vettes. Very EASY to apply, and remove any residual haze. It last for many years...... longer than I've kept any of our cars..... LOL !


I do use a Porter Cable 724 Dual Action polisher for any paint correction needed, and have an assortment of 5 different foam pads depending on how heavy of work is required. I have "Buffed Out" several small scratches and some occasional swirl marks.

 

I use an old Griot's battery powered orbital. It doesn't go fast enough to worry about burning the paint and there's isn't a cord to have to keep up off the car either. .. Not the most powerful thing, but safe. Somebody has to be still making battery powered ones.

 

nothing difficult...wax on and wax off for a beautiful shine..I use meguiar's ultimate liquid wax.....simple as that...Just want my car to have a beautiful shine... I have used griots best show wax and was very happy with that too....

 

That will work........ just take your time....... as you get older buffers are more trouble then they are worth. Easier to apply an easy on easy off polish then mess with a buffer.

Or take it somewhere for ceramic.