Orbital Polisher?

[Lemans64]

Looking to upgrade to an Orbital polisher from a variable speed polisher. Does anybody have any recommendation to advise a fellow car guy. Will mostly use on my 64 Lemans, base clear. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks, Rick

[Jeff Hamlin]

I've been using this Porter-Cable unit for years now and love it.
Along with the Smart Pads from Auto Geek and Meguires polish line.
Love the weight and feel, just about a foolproof unit.
Paint on my '66 is pushing 26 years now...

[GRNMTGOAT]

I also use the Porter Cable. Go to ‘Chemical Guys’ it’s about $150 ,plus they have everything else that you may need.

[TAKerry]

I have a Porter Cable r/o 5" sander. About the same platform as the polisher. Mine is at least 20yrs old, was the first generation. At that time I paid close to $200 for it. Great tools.

As far as polishers, I would buy a Porter Cable. I have one from Griots Garage that I bought 6 or 7 yrs ago and it works fantastic. Well made machine but Im not sure they even sell them anymore.

IF, and that is a hard maybe if I can find a deal at Carlisle, I were to buy a new one it will be battery powered. I have seen some that look to be really nice. Battery powered tools are the way to go now, no cord to get in your way.

[Bills Auto Works]

We had a really great thread on this topic in my paint FB forum, but I cannot find it!

Before you buy one, make sure you check out the battery powered ones. The technology of the batteries has come a long way & a lot of the painter have gone to them even for buffing. I cannot put down my go old Makita variable speed yet, but am going to buy a small battery powered orbital for getting into small spots. The Milwaukee is supposed to be one of the best . One advantage is of course NO cord...Even someone who has painted, wet sanded & buffed more than 100 cars over the years, still grabs a cord now & then!!!:cry:

Depending on if you are just applying wax/ polish or actually buffing would determine whether or not to buy an extra battery. I would think you could probably polish a GTO on one battery. I always like to have an extra battery around charged up just in case.

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/nationwide-single-car-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

[dataway]

I've also got the Porter-Cable. Seems excellent for a consumer level polisher.

[1965gp]

I have the torqx that I bought from chemical guys. I believe it is patterned after the porter cable. It will take your detailing to the next level that’s for sure.

[roger1]

I have Rupes Bigfoot 15.
Last year a friend gave me a Porter Cable that he bought. He had bought it a while back but he never used it so he gave it to me rather than letting it take up space in his garage. I told him I didn't need it but would give it to someone that would use it.
I tried it just for interest before giving it away. Frankly, I'm surprised people here like them. I didn't like it at all. Felt like a cheap toy. But, I am used a Rupes.

[Sirrotica]

I'll probably get laughed out of here, but I have a HF that I've done tons of polishing and waxing with for 5-6 years. It has a variable speed rheostat too:

https://www.harborfreight.com/8mm-random-orbit-6-in-da-polishersander-64528.html

And they have 4 grades of pads for it, https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=6%20inch%20buffing%20pads, and it's as close as your local HF store. Downside is it's corded, but it works for me........;)

[burd]

I got a deluxe 12” Sears and love it.
No variable speed.

[Lemans64]

Ended up buying a Velocity 21mm throw orbital from our dealerships detailing supplier.
Have not tried it out yet. Will give a review after using it. Anything would be better than my high speed
rotary machine, was very noisy. Dealership gave me a credit of my choice for my 15 year award so did not cost me anything
out of pocket.

[1965gp]

I think that to those of you that do paint or ‘real’ detailing the smaller buffers like the Porter Cable and Torqx I have are going to feel cheap an ineffective.

I was talking to a friend that paints saying I loved it and it really seems like it can’t do any damage and he replied ‘then it probably can’t fix anything either’ which compared to what he is used to he is probably right.

I like it because it really has taken my detailing to the next level. It will take longer than one of the heavier duty professional buffers- may take a few coats of varying compounds rather than one but it can get a good shine out of most paint if your patient.

I highly suggest them especially for a novice getting into it that is concerned ab burning paint.

[Jeff Hamlin]

I've fixed lots of issues with my paint over the years.
Proper Pads and Products are a must.

Here's an old vid showing some of the processes;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5qtEUpVrSM

[M91196]

Flex, Lake Country pads and 3D products are my go to!

[justincampbell]

I'll probably get laughed out of here, but I have a HF that I've done tons of polishing and waxing with for 5-6 years. It has a variable speed rheostat too:

https://www.harborfreight.com/8mm-random-orbit-6-in-da-polishersander-64528.html

And they have 4 grades of pads for it, https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=6%20inch%20buffing%20pads, and it's as close as your local HF store. Downside is it's corded, but it works for me........;)

I have a Harbor Freight unit as well... also figured I'd get laughed out of here, LOL. For the minimal polishing I do, it has worked great. For the hard to get into areas I have a 3" Chicago Pneumatic.
Battery powered would be super nice to not have a hose/cord to deal with. But, as long as these still work, I can't bring myself to spend $ on a new one.

I have 3 or 4 different grades of 3M compound that I use and I believe 1 from Meguiars. I think my pads are all 3M.