Electric wax buffer or hand waxing?

scubastud · 07-13-2005, 08:21 PM

Which method do you recommend? If you use an electric one, which brand buffer or what style pads do you use?

Is there any danger or messing up a paint job?

I've been one to use good ole elbow grease but I was curious what the consensus was.....I want a good looking vehicle but I don't want to damage the paint.

Thanks

raskm · 07-13-2005, 08:41 PM

porter cable is $99 at lowes...very nice buffer and will not harm paint. You can get all the info at autopia website.

Bayou Titan · 07-13-2005, 08:58 PM

This link will answer all of your questions concerning the PC and machine polishing.
http://articles.autopia.org/index.ph...2&id=38&c=root

rjspitz · 07-13-2005, 09:01 PM

I second the porter cable. Just make sure to get a random orbit/dual action polisher with foam pads. I don't recommend you attempt using a professional circular buffer or polisher. These things are very hard to control and can burn the paint. It's very hard to ruin the paint with the random orbit type.

This is a great kit if you are just starting out
And here's another

Titank · 07-14-2005, 01:28 AM

FYI.

Just want to make sure everyone is talking about the same thing.... polisher and buffer are generally referring to different items when talking about body work.

Polishing is for compounding material away from the paint. High RPM.

Buffing is for appliing chemical and remove say chemical off paint. Low RPM.

Buffing with a 'buffer' usually should not damage clear coat and or material that is being worked on. Polishing with a 'polisher' usually does damage to the clear coat (based on compound used) or say material that is being worked on.

I think the originally post was asking about the use of a orbital buffer for waxing and not a true polisher that some have listed. Even when using a wax compound... a true polisher will still cause 'paint burn'.

~Titank

QShip · 07-14-2005, 06:57 AM

I use the Cyclo.

mtbendo · 07-14-2005, 12:32 PM

I use an electric Craftman buffer, 11 Dia. I don't know if they are available any more. I've had the same one for 20 years now. Still works great. Less swirl marks than hand applications.

amati5 · 07-14-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raskm

porter cable is $99 at lowes...very nice buffer and will not harm paint. You can get all the info at autopia website.

If you're talking about the PC7424, it's really a good price. I 've been watching this and the lowest I found was from Amazon.com for $119 at a sale price (reg was $129). The last time I was at Lowes, they didnt' carry them.

GETSOMZ28 · 07-14-2005, 02:31 PM

Porter cable is good for polishes and sealants like Klasse, but for just your average wax job, I prefer to do it by hand.

Vector · 07-14-2005, 03:06 PM

I like to do it the old fashioned way. By hand.

Clancy · 07-14-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vector

I like to do it the old fashioned way. By hand.

Ditto. And I've NEVER had swirl problems that way...

Bayou Titan · 07-14-2005, 03:49 PM

The PC doesn't cause swirls or scratches, it removes them. The PC is one of the most used tools of the professional detailer due to its effectiveness and the amount of time and effort it saves.

nyoung · 07-14-2005, 04:35 PM

3 ways to prevent swirls

Swirl marks are mostly the result of modern day multi-step clear coat type paints. This top "clear" coat can be easily scratched.

To prevent this from happening:

1. use a finishing pad, rather than a cutting or polishing pad, since you have a new vehicle that is in good shape. NEVER even think about using a "wool" pad.

2. IMPORTANT be sure that the pad that you use or wrags for that matter are extremely clean. In reality, the majority of scratches and swirl marks are caused by dirt, rather than the buffer-if you are using the right buffer type

The Porter Cable buffer is very unlikely to cause any swirl marks because it is classified as a RANDOM/ORBITAL. This means that it doesn't move in a circular fashion, but more or less mimicks the nature motion of your hands. The speed can also be adjusted. Stay away from high speed buffers, because they only move in a circular fashion can easily burn the paint if your not experienced.

peace and prosperity!

whodat808 · 07-14-2005, 09:45 PM

how is the PC on waterspots and oxidation? what pad would you recommend using?

Bayou Titan · 07-14-2005, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whodat808

how is the PC on waterspots and oxidation? what pad would you recommend using?

Here is an example of what a PC can do with oxidation.