How often do you use your DA buffer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 463
Likes: 430
From: Massillon, OH USA
How often do you use your DA buffer?
Just wondering how much use you get out of your buffers? If you get your car cut, polished, and waxed well, what more do you need the buffer for. I am debating whether to just take it to a good detailer and have it done professionally for the cost of buying the buffer and product.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
I use mine often...
My daily driver gets a full detail in early spring after making it through Chicagoland winter. In mid-summer it gets a re-application of sealant. In late October, it gets prepped for winter, which includes a light machine polish to prep the surface for the winter sealant I use. My Z06 is garage-kept and sees no adverse weather, but still gets a full detail in the spring when she comes out of hibernation. It gets a second wax application in mid-summer. I use my machine to not only correct the paint, but to also apply glazes, sealants, and waxes. It makes the process 10X easier.
I also will occasionally detail friends' vehicles a couple times per year. In fact, I am actually buying a second machine with more power to make corrections easier and quicker, and I have already installed a 3" backing plate on my Porter Cable so I can use it as a dedicated "small area" machine. Just used it Sunday to detail my friend's Harley bagger using 3.5" pads. It worked great!
My daily driver gets a full detail in early spring after making it through Chicagoland winter. In mid-summer it gets a re-application of sealant. In late October, it gets prepped for winter, which includes a light machine polish to prep the surface for the winter sealant I use. My Z06 is garage-kept and sees no adverse weather, but still gets a full detail in the spring when she comes out of hibernation. It gets a second wax application in mid-summer. I use my machine to not only correct the paint, but to also apply glazes, sealants, and waxes. It makes the process 10X easier.
I also will occasionally detail friends' vehicles a couple times per year. In fact, I am actually buying a second machine with more power to make corrections easier and quicker, and I have already installed a 3" backing plate on my Porter Cable so I can use it as a dedicated "small area" machine. Just used it Sunday to detail my friend's Harley bagger using 3.5" pads. It worked great!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 338
Likes: 401
From: Warren Oregon
I use mine often...
My daily driver gets a full detail in early spring after making it through Chicagoland winter. In mid-summer it gets a re-application of sealant. In late October, it gets prepped for winter, which includes a light machine polish to prep the surface for the winter sealant I use. My Z06 is garage-kept and sees no adverse weather, but still gets a full detail in the spring when she comes out of hibernation. It gets a second wax application in mid-summer. I use my machine to not only correct the paint, but to also apply glazes, sealants, and waxes. It makes the process 10X easier.
I also will occasionally detail friends' vehicles a couple times per year. In fact, I am actually buying a second machine with more power to make corrections easier and quicker, and I have already installed a 3" backing plate on my Porter Cable so I can use it as a dedicated "small area" machine. Just used it Sunday to detail my friend's Harley bagger using 3.5" pads. It worked great!
My daily driver gets a full detail in early spring after making it through Chicagoland winter. In mid-summer it gets a re-application of sealant. In late October, it gets prepped for winter, which includes a light machine polish to prep the surface for the winter sealant I use. My Z06 is garage-kept and sees no adverse weather, but still gets a full detail in the spring when she comes out of hibernation. It gets a second wax application in mid-summer. I use my machine to not only correct the paint, but to also apply glazes, sealants, and waxes. It makes the process 10X easier.
I also will occasionally detail friends' vehicles a couple times per year. In fact, I am actually buying a second machine with more power to make corrections easier and quicker, and I have already installed a 3" backing plate on my Porter Cable so I can use it as a dedicated "small area" machine. Just used it Sunday to detail my friend's Harley bagger using 3.5" pads. It worked great!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Good read:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...out-clear.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 554
From: Scottsdale AZ
I ordered the new Griot's Garage G9. I considered a larger 15mm long-throw machine, but the G9 should be more than enough for my needs. I just wanted something with more grunt than my 7424XP. Considering the features and warranty of the G9 at the price point, it was a no-brainer.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 906
From: Tulum, MX
Neither machine is a "forced " rotation such as the Flex 3401 ( a beast of a machine-but not needed for the person who only does it sporadically). Under certain conditions the pad will stop rotating on these D/A's. This is known as stall. Less powerful machines are more prone to this . The Griots is less prone than the PC. Buffer technique can overcome this to an extent but simply for time and aggravation you want less stall time
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 946
From: Western New York
I have the Porter Cable 7424 I use it on my GS for a full detail in spring and fall . As stated above by FRYARMS it makes applying sealants , waxes etc 10 times easier. So I use it many other times thru out the year detailing my Sierra and wife’s Acadia and GS. Porter Cable really saves me a lot of time and energy. I can’t add anything in regards to different brands / power. Back in 17 I went with what a lot on this forum used and recommend. I have no complaints on Porter Cable. I do detailing more as a hobby and for having my vehicles look great ! Some on forum do it as a living and share great info on this forum. I always learn something new when on Corvette forum.
Last edited by Borntorun04/17; Jan 10, 2020 at 11:17 AM.
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,273
Likes: 4,210
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
I use mine frequently, I even do spot buff if I notice a line or 2 on my Corvette... I do go over things once a season minimum
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 333
From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
I have two PC 7424 XP machines, one has a small backing plate and the other has a 5" plate. And too many pads lol. I do a light abrasive polish on eight cars each year, and on three of them I also use the PC's to apply a sealer product. So about a dozen times a year. Once you get the paint where you like it, the PC is about all the power you need to maintain it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
I use my Griots cordless bimonthly for fast "spreading" of Zaino AIO. Inbetween I'll hand apply a fast layer of Blackfire Si02..... on the minivan this is a quick 20 minute wipe on, wipe off event.
If doing correcting, I'll use a Flex 3401. I'm waiting delivery of the new PXE 80 3".
A number of my friends need some hand holding doing their cars. I show them how to operate the machines and they are amazed they can do it and pleased at what they can do. Many are intimidated.
If doing correcting, I'll use a Flex 3401. I'm waiting delivery of the new PXE 80 3".
A number of my friends need some hand holding doing their cars. I show them how to operate the machines and they are amazed they can do it and pleased at what they can do. Many are intimidated.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 100
From: ACUSHNET MA
I ordered the new Griot's Garage G9. I considered a larger 15mm long-throw machine, but the G9 should be more than enough for my needs. I just wanted something with more grunt than my 7424XP. Considering the features and warranty of the G9 at the price point, it was a no-brainer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Already swapped to a 5" backing plate and will be using it for the first time on Sunday. My friend's wife just took delivery of a brand new 2020 GMC Terrain mini-SUV. It is a beautiful metallic dark aqua color. Looked at it last week, and it has the usual "brand-new-car-touched-by-a-million-people-before-you-get-it" minor surface defects. Going to clean up the paint with an AIO and some green foam pads. Hoping that will be sufficient to get everything looking its best. I will post a full review thread on Monday.
