I Need a simple eletric buffer.

[sundarpn]

Hello All,

I washes and clayed my 02 camry XLE. After then I started applying meguiars scatch X and then followed by wax using meguiars tech way...

But applying these polished and waxes by hand is KILLING me and my hands...

So is there I am looking out for a simple to use eletric buffing maching that will merely rotate the pads for me... so that I can quickly apply polishes and waxes in shorter time without killing my hands.

I am not looking for a high end thing that require more experince to use... I just need somthing to rotate the pads and oh something cheap too.

I saw a few simple ones in ebay that run from the 12 V power outlet in the car... and they have rotational speed of 1200 RPM.

I would think 1200 RMP is more than enough for merely helping me apply the wax/polish.

Any opinions?

thx

[shimp999]

I was in your same situation recently. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told by a friend who works in auto body that when it comes to waxing/polishing with an electric buffer, you want slower speeds, preferably variable speeds depending on what you're doing (waxing vs polishing). I don't know if you have a Harbor Freight tool store where you live, but I got mine fairly there fairly cheap when it was on sale. I think they have a web site also, so you can search there for variable speed polishers.

[94dsm]

i dont remember where we got it but we found a turtle wax buffer, its not to big the buffer is probably 6 inches wide but it was only 20 30 bucks, and it works quite well. lol yea manual waxing sucks. but it looks good

[screeber]

Porter Cable 7424 or 7336. Worth every penny.

[sundarpn]

No porter stuff is more like 40 to 50 bucks I think... and besides its 110V.

I need a small cheaper one that runs of 12 V DC

[Pb]

I can't recommend anything less than a quality orbital for a newb detailer. It takes power and speed to polish. If you buy a POS autozone buffer then you have just spent your money on a fast wax applicator. They can't polish.

[TucsonTRD]

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-daspol-kit.html

[Pb]

AutoGeek has some good sales on buffer kits right now.

[NorCalTacoma]

PC 7424 is the most amazing thing ever.

[ToyotaJimD.]

I have both a Porter-Cable 7336 and a Mothers Wax Attack. Oh, and I've got an old Craftsman/WaxCoa 10" random orbital that I've had since forever, but the terry bonnets are a pain to use and its large size doesn't work too well for my '93 Camry (however it was fine on the old '69 station wagon).

The PC is the obvious winner hands-down when you've got defect removal issues, but I really do like the Wax Attack for those times when I just need a quick, light polish and a wax. It's also good for use with a one-step cleaner wax. One thing I like is that it's got real pads (not bonnets), and a rubberized housing and it's light enough to easily work with one hand.

https://store.mothers.com/product_in...products_id=77

[TitaniumSE]

Do you need a buffer to remove scratches/swirls? Is it possible to remove them by hand? Even if you have A LOT of energy? Or would you need steroids? lol

[ToyotaJimD.]

Originally Posted by PhantomGrey

Do you need a buffer to remove scratches/swirls? Is it possible to remove them by hand? Even if you have A LOT of energy? Or would you need steroids? lol

Read above. Some types of defect removal is very difficult, if not tedius, by hand.

You can, however, hide a lot of spiderwebbing, for example, with a sealer & glaze product easily applied by hand

[TitaniumSE]

Okay, what is a simple electric buffer that I can get for very cheap off the shelf? Thanks in advance.

[ToyotaJimD.]

We'll talk random-orbitals here, as rotary units (even drills with attachments) can easily damage your paint.

Off-the-shelf buffers that you see at your major retailers are basically wax applicators... most run under $80-100. The cheaper ones use bonnets for a variety of purposes. Problem is, they don't have the power for serious defect removal and bonnets aren't ideal as they can easily bunch-up and introduce marring.

Probably the undisputed champ in defect removal is the Porter Cable 7224/7336 series... they've been available in at least two configurations for around $120 and up, and except for the difference in a counterweight and the size of the accessories, they're the same unit. Toss the standard equipment aside and buy a quality hook-and-loop backing plate and pad assortment and you've got something that'll last and cover all of your bases, but you're talking about $200 when all is said and done. While you can get the PC at Lowe's and other hardware retailers, you'll likely have to go online for the backing plate and pads (I like Lake Country, but lots of online shops either sell or private label them); or you can get the whole kit and caboodle online. I've used both detailersparadise.com and superiorcarcare.net and have had good service.

I've used a PC with various pads to remove defects (use various pads as you need varying degrees of aggressiveness) with Mothers PowerPolish. It's also great to apply PowerWax. Even with simply Carnauba Cleaner Wax, I've used it to remove permanent marker that kids drew down the side of a neighbor's white truck.

The PC is a good investment if you need defect removal.

For those not looking to invest in a PC but needing defect removal, take the vehicle to an experienced professional detailer (get trusted referrals) perhaps once a year for "service" and then you can maintain it throughout the year from then on.

[camrycoupe95]

An unexperienced person can easily burn through the paint, especailly around panel edges with a high speed buffer. To remove heavy scratches and other deep marks it takes the speed and heat that a rotary buffer makes. The over-the-counter orbitals won't remove much past light swirl marks. Forget trying to remove them by hand.

It takes time and practice to become good with a "high speed" rotary buffer. If it's your first time buffing chances are you will damage something. If you have a beater car that you don't mind burning the paint on then go for it. Otherwise I'd recommend paying a good detail shop to buff it out for you.