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Posted by: jim_hoyland May 17 2024, 12:14 PM

I gotta get something to spare my hands. What are you using. ?

Posted by: Beach914 May 17 2024, 12:38 PM

I'm using a Harbor Freight 6" Dual Action Polisher as I am not skilled enough to use the old school polishers without the potential of burning the finish. I also bought a 3'' Dual Action mini unit off of Amazon to get to those tight areas on the body.

Posted by: BillJ May 17 2024, 12:39 PM

I love my Rupes orbitals. Really high quality. What many pros use.




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Posted by: jim_hoyland May 17 2024, 01:03 PM

Like this one or a smaller model ?



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Posted by: NARP74 May 17 2024, 01:14 PM

Really depends what you are looking for, small detail, larger buffer and so on.
This guy is a hard core detailer, he buys and tries everything out there, and sells what he likes. He tends to like the pricey items but he tells you why and has tons of product reviews on his youtube and web site.
https://www.youtube.com/@ObsessedGarage/videos
He is not every bodies taste, but he is honest in his reviews and uses what he sells.

Here are some of his comments
Rupes polisher, HLR 15, cordless, better with some pads over others, bad with wool, less vibration than Milwaukee
Mirca polisher, better motor than most, expensive and small, $800
Milwaukee, good entry level, lots of head vibration
LE, liquid elements,new, corded, very good, new OG favorite, $200
Griots, good basic beginner polisher, 3 and 5 inch

Posted by: Optimusglen May 17 2024, 01:30 PM

no personal experience yet, but the Griots guy is local and a really good dude. I've heard nothing but good from them.

Posted by: Shivers May 17 2024, 01:48 PM

I burned through my old trucks paint. And it was easy. Slow speed is the ticket.

Posted by: brant May 17 2024, 02:02 PM

I’ve had a corded Milwaukee for 20 years that works great

Posted by: scallyk9 May 17 2024, 02:13 PM

I have a full Griot's Garage system with both their G8 and G9 orbital D/A buffers and use their BOSS paint correction system for concours preparation. You really can't go wrong with any of their products and their customer service is excellent.

I live near Tacoma, Washington, where they have their flagship retail store which puts on a multitude of car events all year long. Last March 30th, I arranged for Griot's to host a concours preparation Tech Ed for my local PCA region. The goal was to see if and how they could take my already clean and very shiny 914 LE, fresh from an auto museum display to the next level...and they aced it in three steps.

Posted by: sixnotfour May 17 2024, 02:26 PM

I third Griots ,, simple process , with their product,, the polisher, Random Orbital,, several around..... Griots is one stop shopping.. And yes Im from Washington, not that it matters.

Posted by: jim_hoyland May 17 2024, 03:51 PM

Thanks for all the info: a local Teener is going to let me use his Groit’s polisher. I’ll see how I like it

Posted by: Olympic 914 May 17 2024, 04:19 PM

Just to add another option.

Porter Cable 7424xp

I have this one, very durable, nice speed range.

Posted by: saigon71 May 18 2024, 05:21 AM

While I don't have a lot of experience with buffing equipment, I'm completely impressed with this cordless model from Harbor Freight:

Posted by: FlacaProductions May 18 2024, 09:23 AM

i'm terrified of burning through my paint. No experience - where do I start and not end in disaster? My paint is already is pretty good shape but you always wonder if it can be better...

Posted by: technicalninja May 18 2024, 10:05 AM

Only way to "learn" a buffing system is to use it on something that doesn't matter FIRST!

If you haven't "burned" through before seeing the process on a NAV (negative actual value) beater is the way to go.

On the "cannot damage" 40-year-old car with perfect paint I don't use power anything.

By the time I'm done I wish I had as my 59-year-old arms have far less capacity than I remember.

I currently have a 1989 Grand Wagoneer in the shop for mechanical restoration.
I believe it is in the top 100 of these still in existence.

Always garaged 90K survivor; the factory paint is original and pristine.
Horrible orange peel EVENLY distributed on every panel (this is IMPOSSIBLE to re-create by hand).

This car CANNOT be color sanded! It would affect the value at 4 figures...

No power tools will ever touch this vehicle in my possession.

And I'm NOT a Jeep enthusiast.
I don't give a rat's ass about Jeeps!
Still "concours nice" receives the respect it should from me.

Find something nasty to practice on BEFORE doing ANY process to something NICE!

Posted by: burton73 May 18 2024, 01:35 PM

I use this Torq Random orbital polisher with 5 inch pads. A number of different pads and Chemical Guys compounds. I use this to buff anything large in the shop. One home and one at shop. Just put the cord over your shoulder to keep it off of your work.

I have a big / huge unit at least 10 inches that uses a sheepskin cover to polish. I have had it for 40 years. In the old days I buffed very large parts with it but now the smaller unit with special pads for different compounds is the shot. I still use the big unit with variable speeds as a grinder, it works much better as a grinder than a buffer

Best Bob B

Posted by: Amphicar770 May 22 2024, 01:19 PM

With a dual action orbital polisher, you are highly unlikely to burn through the paint. A rotary polisher is much faster but requires some level of skill.

I have Rupes, Flex, Torq, Griotts, etc. These days, the one I usually reach for first is the Milwaukee M18.

Posted by: jim_hoyland May 22 2024, 03:53 PM

Update: A local Teener loaned me his Groit’s set which includes: Groit’s detailed handbook, orbital polisher, and a set of various Polishing products.
I’m reading the guide before I jump in, then I’m going test out my skills on the wife’s Volvo wagon that sits outside




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Posted by: jim_hoyland May 22 2024, 03:54 PM

And:


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Posted by: jim_hoyland May 22 2024, 04:04 PM

Plus:


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Posted by: burton73 May 22 2024, 05:51 PM

Jim, you are set now. This will give you a very good idea what you like.

Best Bob B

Posted by: bkrantz May 22 2024, 08:51 PM

Porter-Cable orbital (corded). And a few dozen pads of different types and corresponding cleaners, polishers, finishes, etc.

And I still think one of the most important steps for deep cleaning is using a clay bar by hand.

On my wife's white car I also occasionally need to use iron remover. Look for tiny flecks of "rust".

Posted by: jim_hoyland May 23 2024, 05:49 AM

Good tips: Both are mentioned in the Griots How-To manual. Especially claying before doing anything else