Buffer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Stick with the orbital, unless you have many hours of experience with the Rotary. The Rotary style will leave the paint in worst condition if you don't know how to use it properly plus it will burn the paint if not careful.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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Rotary buffers are best left to those with experience - and even then, it takes an orbital to buff out the swirl marks left behind.I have been using the PC for over twenty years and feel very comfortable with it. It is what's known as a non-forced rotation buffer. What this means is the buffer oscillates and the centrifugal forces cause the pad to spin. The PC offers little in the way of cutting action because it doesn't spin fast enough. But because the motor doesn't drive the spinning action, it is safe to use and easy for a person not familiar with the buffer to achieve great results.
A new player on the market is the FLEX buffer. It is forced rotation, meaning that the motor does force the pad to spin and it also oscillates. It can cut the paint - so it should be used more carefully. But used properly - it will achieve great results, a little faster.
Both buffers - used properly with the right pads and polish will yield outstanding results.
As an Adam's dealer, I can help you acquire everything you need - including instructional videos on both buffers.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
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Rotary buffers are best left to those with experience - and even then, it takes an orbital to buff out the swirl marks left behind.I have been using the PC for over twenty years and feel very comfortable with it. It is what's known as a non-forced rotation buffer. What this means is the buffer oscillates and the centrifugal forces cause the pad to spin. The PC offers little in the way of cutting action because it doesn't spin fast enough. But because the motor doesn't drive the spinning action, it is safe to use and easy for a person not familiar with the buffer to achieve great results.
A new player on the market is the FLEX buffer. It is forced rotation, meaning that the motor does force the pad to spin and it also oscillates. It can cut the paint - so it should be used more carefully. But used properly - it will achieve great results, a little faster.
Both buffers - used properly with the right pads and polish will yield outstanding results.
As an Adam's dealer, I can help you acquire everything you need - including instructional videos on both buffers.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
http://www.autogeek.net/bupo.html
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay Florida
For someone starting out then I work recommend a Orbital/DA like the Porter Cable 7424XP, the Shurhold DA Polisher, the Flex XC3401VRG Dual-Action Polisher or you can go with a Rotary / Circular polisher that many profressional body shops use but if you had not use then don't IMO. My best pick for you would be a Porter Cable 7424XP which has been the work horse of the industry for many years and many happy folks have use it and got what they wanted. With the Lake Country Hydro-Tech Pads and the New Meguiar's DA Correction System you can perform a awesome detail on any vehicle out there and be happy with your results!
An Introduction to Machine Polishing
http://www.properautocare.com/intomapo.html
An Introduction to Machine Polishing
http://www.properautocare.com/intomapo.html
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I have a shurshod DA and I use it on my Indigo Blue Trailblazer and it works great. I could get it perfect if I spent more time on it, but since this is a family trip vehicle that totes dogs around regularly, I am good with getting 80-85% of my swirls out with this buffer and Menzerna super intensive polish and the right pad.
Again, I could get more out of it if I wanted to spend more time on it. But the PC and the Shurshod work great. In my opinion.
Again, I could get more out of it if I wanted to spend more time on it. But the PC and the Shurshod work great. In my opinion.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 2
From: Orlando/Oviedo FL
Hi John.
First there are three (four really) types of buffer to choose from, and each has some advantages and disadvantages.
Orbital, such as a Craftsman or Waxmaster- True orbital polishers are great for spreading wax, but they don't have to power to really polish the paint. If all you need is wax to make your black car look great than this will work fine.
Dual Action Random Orbital Polishers such as the Porter Cable and Meguiar's G110v2 are generally the first 'true' polisher that most enthusiasts use. These are Dual-Action in the since that not only do they orbit but the pad spins (rotates) as well. These are extremely popular because not only can use different size pads (and different types of pads) but they do have the power to remove swirl marks and scratches which are often the cause of black paint looking poor.
Dual Action Forced Rotation Polishers are similar to function to the Random Orbital polishers with exception that the rotation of the pad (as well as the orbital motion) is geared together. This means that the pad will always spin, even under heavy load, which can damage paint in the hands of a novice. However the Dual Action Forced Rotation polishers, such as the Flex, will often offer more corrective ability.
Rotary Polishers- A rotary polisher is only as a good as the user (this is true for the other polishers but possibly the most true for a rotary). You can remove lots of paint quickly, and with a lot of experience, create a swirl free finish. Many times the rotary will remove defects the fastest but also increases the chance of the damaging or burning the paint.
Your best bet is be realistic about your goals and how much your planning on using your polisher than give us a call at 1-800-628-7596 and discuss your options with one of our specialists (how is that for a sales pitch?
) before you purchase. We would encourage to learn as much about your purchase before laying down your hard earned money vs. buying something then just trying to figure it out.
Best
Todd
First there are three (four really) types of buffer to choose from, and each has some advantages and disadvantages.
Orbital, such as a Craftsman or Waxmaster- True orbital polishers are great for spreading wax, but they don't have to power to really polish the paint. If all you need is wax to make your black car look great than this will work fine.
Dual Action Random Orbital Polishers such as the Porter Cable and Meguiar's G110v2 are generally the first 'true' polisher that most enthusiasts use. These are Dual-Action in the since that not only do they orbit but the pad spins (rotates) as well. These are extremely popular because not only can use different size pads (and different types of pads) but they do have the power to remove swirl marks and scratches which are often the cause of black paint looking poor.
Dual Action Forced Rotation Polishers are similar to function to the Random Orbital polishers with exception that the rotation of the pad (as well as the orbital motion) is geared together. This means that the pad will always spin, even under heavy load, which can damage paint in the hands of a novice. However the Dual Action Forced Rotation polishers, such as the Flex, will often offer more corrective ability.
Rotary Polishers- A rotary polisher is only as a good as the user (this is true for the other polishers but possibly the most true for a rotary). You can remove lots of paint quickly, and with a lot of experience, create a swirl free finish. Many times the rotary will remove defects the fastest but also increases the chance of the damaging or burning the paint.
Your best bet is be realistic about your goals and how much your planning on using your polisher than give us a call at 1-800-628-7596 and discuss your options with one of our specialists (how is that for a sales pitch?
) before you purchase. We would encourage to learn as much about your purchase before laying down your hard earned money vs. buying something then just trying to figure it out. Best
Todd
