Buffers

[mcruz]

I am convinced that I will never get a show car finish polishing and waxing by hand.
I am looking at a Porter Cable # 7424 six inch polisher, anyone have experience with this polisher? Or any other suggestions?

[Sci-Fi]

Porter Cable #7424 is an excellent random orbit polisher. Coastal Tools, http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...f50+1078627357 , has a #7424 bonus kit that includes the random orbit buffer plus:
6" Hook & Loop Contour Pad #18002
6" Counterweight
for $119.00

Lowes has the Porter Cable #7336, which is the same unit as the #7224, except the 6" counter weight is installed as standard for $109.00 or less if it's on sale. But you need to buy the hook & loop pad which costs about $18.00.

Classic Motoring Accessories has several nice pad kit sets,
without the hook and loop pad:
http://www.properautocare.com/padkitwoveba.html ,

with Hook & Loop pad:
http://www.properautocare.com/porcabackit.html

Deluxe kit:
http://www.properautocare.com/delporcaback.html

The pads you will use the most are the yellow foam cutting and white polishing foam pads. The grey finishing foam pad is the one to use when applying wax or sealant, but most modern waxes and sealants can be applied by hand a lot faster. Wool pads are usually used with a rotary and is very aggressive and something you should practice on a junker first, before you use it on your own/customer cars. Pad Colors will vary by pad manufacturers, so make sure you know what the pad is rated/designed for and keep them organized and separated. A general rule is to use the least aggressive pad and polish to see if it removes the defects 1st, then move to a more aggressive pad/product. After the defects are removed, you may need to use a fine polish, like Meguiar's Swirl Free #82 or a swirl remover product to get the maximum shine and gloss. Some even use a paint cleanser afterwards to get the last bit of shine out of the paint before waxing or applying a sealant.

Hope this helps.

[mcruz]

Sci-Fi, thanks for the informative post, it gives me some direction. I have a 96 Tercel that I can practice on. I don't want to practice on the Cruiser as it already looks good I just want it to look perfect. Another site for the #7424 is Nortwest Power Tools, $ 119.00 with polishing pad and shipping. I think I will investigate your site suggestions since I would like to get the accessory kit as well. Thanks again.

[bigdogdad]

Ditto there Sci-Fi, I have been debating the same issue, think I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[Sci-Fi]

You're welcome.

A random orbit polisher is relatively SAFE for both the do-it-yourselfer and the professional detailer. A random orbit polisher DOES NOT generate the heat associated with a rotary polisher and will NOT leave "buffer marks" or burn through your clearcost or paint if used correctly, i.e. don't leave it running at high speed in one spot/place. Also, it is important to note to avoid polishing edges excessively (the paint is thinnest there) and don't try to polish in a place/spot where the polisher/pad cannot physically go into easily.

A rotary polisher, on the other hand, will generate heat and remove defects fairly quickly. Gaining the necessary experience with a rotary is a must or leave its use to the professional detailers. Burn marks, aka buffer marks, or polishing through the clearcoat/paint is a danger. However, if used in the right hands, the paint can be polished to an extremely high level. A Random Orbit Polisher can achieve the same results, but it will take a lot longer but with minimum risk to damaging to your paint because of human mistakes/overzealousness.

Can view these detailing videos and guides:
http://www.meguiars.com/clinics/clinics_template.cfm

scroll to the bottom of the page to view the guides:
http://www.properautocare.com/porcabpolac.html

Download (right click and save as)the Autopia Detailing Guide, the first 8 chapters are free:
http://autopia-carcare.com/lib/autopia/Autopia.exe

And go here for plenty of detailing tips and how-to-do articles:
http://www.bettercarcare.com/
or a more direct link to the articles:
http://www.bettercarcare.com/topics.php?topicId=17

And if you have questions or want to read past topics, visit the Autopia Detailing Forum I frequent (use the search function 1st before asking questions, many questions and products have already been discussed/reviewed in detail):
http://www.autopia.org/forums/index.php

[bigdogdad]

I was at properautocare the other day and after seeing this thread I was sure I would give the radom orbit buffer a try. On the way to the links now. Thanks again. [?]

[mcruz]

I agree, Autopia is a good detailing site. I used to go there quite often when I had my Limited. A lot of good tips from people who have already tried products.

[turbomangt]

Well said Sci-Fi, the only thing I can add to this post are make sure you keep your pads clean, using a pad loaded with chemicals from a previous vehicle will damage your finish. Its best to clean them right after your done. DO NOT PUT THEM IN A WASHING MACHINE. It will break down the glue and they will come apart. YOu may think that using a buffer is the only way to get a great finish, and in some cases it is. However, I almost always try to work a car by hand if possible, I will switch to machine only after I feel the need to do so. The DAPC will not do any paint correcting, so keep that in mind. The reason it is user friendly is because it has limited use. It is mainly used to apply polish/wax/sealant. The next step up is the Dual Head Cyclo buffer, This machine rocks. It is the one I used to detail 2 Gallardo's that were damaged in Italy. This Monday night I'm hosting an advanced detailing clinic in which all students will get to use all 3 buffers and a junk car. If anyone comes to Chicago I will be glad to teach you a few tricks. Gary

[mcruz]

Gary, I would love to attend your clinic, just too far for me. I am addicted to detailing my Cruiser so naturally I want to learn all that I can. I mean when I am detailing I do the door jams, wheel wells (I think it is a waste of time to dress the tires if the wheel wells are not dressed) undercarriage, nothing is out of bounds.
Thanks for your input.

[Jimbo]

mcruz, I feel the same way[?]

quote:Originally posted by mcruz

Gary, I would love to attend your clinic, just too far for me. I am addicted to detailing my Cruiser so naturally I want to learn all that I can. I mean when I am detailing I do the door jams, wheel wells (I think it is a waste of time to dress the tires if the wheel wells are not dressed) undercarriage, nothing is out of bounds.
Thanks for your input.