[eskimonj]

I am thinking about buying one of those electric orbital polisher/buffers for polishing and waxing my cars. Anybody use these? What are the pros and cons versus doing it by hand?

I have always done it by hand, but now I am looking for something quicker, but don't want to risk damage to the paint. I know it takes real care with thoe professional type high speed deals that can burn the paint in a few seconds, but what about the low speed electric ones?

[eskimonj]

I am thinking about buying one of those electric orbital polisher/buffers for polishing and waxing my cars. Anybody use these? What are the pros and cons versus doing it by hand?

I have always done it by hand, but now I am looking for something quicker, but don't want to risk damage to the paint. I know it takes real care with thoe professional type high speed deals that can burn the paint in a few seconds, but what about the low speed electric ones?

[rickschabener]

I am no body pro!!! But I recently bought a Porter Cable random orbit polisher. I love it! I put the wax on by hand and take it off with the polisher. I then change pads and buff it out. I did 4 cars in 2 days and have never achieved such results by hand. Much faster, less effort, better shine, and is slicker. I'm sure many other guys will chime in here; but, I too did not want to end up polishing the ridges down to bare metal. The "random orbit" is the way to go for a non-pro. It won't burn through the paint. Understand, though, that it is not powerful enough to rub out old oxidized paint. Here is the link to it at amazon.com. I also ordered the velcro pad and bonnets.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...707108-5154206

[ August 05, 2002, 03:08 PM: Message edited by: rickschabener ]

[gtoguy1967]

i have a snap on variable speed buffer and love it these grinder buffers are junk i think. i like the varyable speed on mine. you should try wax called super glaze from the wax shop it is very easy to work with comes off very easy also.
good buffing componds are not cheep.
Don

[adam3291]

Hey Rick,

What model P-C Random Orbital did you purchase? They have two models at Lowes relatively cheap. What wax do you use? I've tried Zymol but might try Klasse or something else on my next wax job.

[rickschabener]

Hi Adam. I bought the #7336 sander/polisher, contour hook and loop pad (#18002), and some hook and loop bonnets (#18007). I've been using Mequiars products. I love their Gold Class wax. Especially on my darker color car. But, it will dry white in any stone chips and stand out. My second choice is Mequiars #26 yellow wax. Pretty much the same shine but it doesn't dry white so the stone chips don't beem with white, dry wax.