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Buffer

Messages
309
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62
Location
PGH
#1
What size buffer would be ideal to buff and wax the whole car? I'm assuming a 4 inch would take all day, and a 10 inch would be too large to hit all the nooks and crannies. I'm going to get an electric orbital buffer with adjustable RPM.
 


Messages
123
Likes
32
Location
Omaha
#2
I would go with the 4 in. As long as you are using a powered setup, i.e. not doing it by hand, shouldn't take you more than an hour to do 2 or three coats and buffs. Your logic is sound on the large pad not getting into the smaller spaces and it's harder to avoid getting wax or polish on surfaces you want to avoid. Hope this helps.
 


westcoaST

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,157
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290
Location
Corona
#3
I have a 6" Girots rotary polisher I got from autogeek.net. I think this is a better first choice since the FiST has a lot of flat to curved surfaces, and very few narrow width surfaces. After you get a 6", then buy a smaller diameter polisher
 


OP
TheGreenOne
Messages
309
Likes
62
Location
PGH
Thread Starter #4
Awesome, I was leaning towards a 6 inch and this helps. I'll be picking up a 6 inch electric random orbital buffer that has at least a 4k rpm speed, but preferably adjustable. I've watched a million videos on buffing a car and even if I fuck up a little, my car is bright green so it'll be pretty hard to notice. However, if I fuck up a lot, then I'll just light the bitch on fire and buy a new one. I'll also be getting a roll of type to tape off plastics and what not. After that, I plan on getting some satin black wheel paint, primer, and clear coat, and going to town on my wheels.
 


Messages
46
Likes
10
Location
Colorado Springs
#9
That seems to be WAY more than I need.
Not trying to dog you, but you do get what you pay for with polishers. If you are spending much less than a Porter Cable 7424XP costs, it is probably not really worth buying. The 7424XP, believe it or not, is considered a great, inexpensive entry-level DA buffer.
If you don't want to spend that, IMO just do it by hand because cheapo ones won't have the power to do much more than smear wax on and make you feel like a detailer while using it. You need some power to do paint correction. The fact that the Harbor Freight one is $80 should tell you something because Harbor Freight is generally "disposal tools" quality.
If you do want to reconsider, search around, I think that $175 7424XP was a package deal with extra pads and whatnot, I just did a quick Google shopping search and saw it for $120.
But really if your paint isn't too bad right now, I'd really suggest you do it by hand until you save up the difference for a decent DA polisher. It's a tiny car, shouldn't take too long. :)

Also on time vs. pad size, if you are using a good-quality polisher with the right pad and compound for what you want to achieve, it doesn't take long because you aren't going back and forth over the same area much. You can get alot done with a 4"-6.5" pad. It is *nothing* like those junky 10" ones with a microfiber bonnet like they sell at auto parts stores and whatnot.
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
Likes
820
Location
Vancouver
#10
Not trying to dog you, but you do get what you pay for with polishers. If you are spending much less than a Porter Cable 7424XP costs, it is probably not really worth buying. The 7424XP, believe it or not, is considered a great, inexpensive entry-level DA buffer.
If you don't want to spend that, IMO just do it by hand because cheapo ones won't have the power to do much more than smear wax on and make you feel like a detailer while using it. You need some power to do paint correction. The fact that the Harbor Freight one is $80 should tell you something because Harbor Freight is generally "disposal tools" quality.
If you do want to reconsider, search around, I think that $175 7424XP was a package deal with extra pads and whatnot, I just did a quick Google shopping search and saw it for $120.
But really if your paint isn't too bad right now, I'd really suggest you do it by hand until you save up the difference for a decent DA polisher. It's a tiny car, shouldn't take too long. :)

Also on time vs. pad size, if you are using a good-quality polisher with the right pad and compound for what you want to achieve, it doesn't take long because you aren't going back and forth over the same area much. You can get alot done with a 4"-6.5" pad. It is *nothing* like those junky 10" ones with a microfiber bonnet like they sell at auto parts stores and whatnot.
^ This x2. The 7424xp is basically the entry-level tool for the professional detailer so it's pretty well-suited for the do-it-yourselfer.
 


PhoenixM3

Senior Member
Messages
806
Likes
510
Location
Colorado Springs
#12
There is a sale on autopia car care.com for a Porter 7424 XP for $174.94 this is a great deal.
I've had one for about 5 years, and kick myself for not buying one 10 years earlier. Whichever one you choose, try to get one with a long power cord (25ft). Also, unless you get grit on your buffing pads, these things are pretty much idiot proof. I've never used a high speed polisher, but am a little afraid of burning the clear coat.
 


dyn085

2000 Post Club
Messages
2,434
Likes
820
Location
Vancouver
#13
I've had one for about 5 years, and kick myself for not buying one 10 years earlier. Whichever one you choose, try to get one with a long power cord (25ft). Also, unless you get grit on your buffing pads, these things are pretty much idiot proof. I've never used a high speed polisher, but am a little afraid of burning the clear coat.
If you don't have one with a long cable you can mod it with an appropriately-rated cord. It's pretty simple to do and was the first thing I did to mine when I got it.
 


PhoenixM3

Senior Member
Messages
806
Likes
510
Location
Colorado Springs
#14
If you don't have one with a long cable you can mod it with an appropriately-rated cord. It's pretty simple to do and was the first thing I did to mine when I got it.
Agreed, very easy. For some things, I just don't want to mess with no matter how easy....
 


OP
TheGreenOne
Messages
309
Likes
62
Location
PGH
Thread Starter #15
I found it on Amazon for 119 for just the buffer, or 150 on autogeek with the kit which comes with the backing plate, pads, and microfiber towels. The same package is 181 normally.
 




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