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Budget DA polisher for auto paint... Which would you get

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Smokeshow69

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So I am looking for a budget DA polisher for my vehicle's paint. I would love to be able to spend $200+ on a nice da but the budget does not allow for this at this time. I was thinking of either getting the meguiar's da attachment that is chucked up in a power drill or was thinking about possibly getting the Harbor freight DA. I have a coupon for $50. Anybody have any suggestions other than these or does anyone have these?
 
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M6erfan

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cant speak to the HF but I have a Porter Cable 7424 thats about 15 years old. I've put it through its paces and its still holding up great. Probably find one for less than $100...
 
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kctyphoon

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I have the same porter cable. It works really well for maintenance but it's not very aggressive which is why even an idiot can use it.. I needed to bring the paint back on my older black maxima before I sold it. It sat under a tree for a few years, I thought I was gonna have to wet sand it. I bought the black hf polisher, not the DA, for like $40 or $50 and some of the Meguairs wool pads. It worked great..

I also tried a bunch of different compounds, even some of the pro 3m and Meguairs stuff. The absolute best compound wound up being the consumer Meguairs Ultimate compound. That stuff is amazing. I've only bought Meguairs Ultimate products since. . I tired like 5 different kinds and theirs was noticeably better on my black car.

I'd give the hf DA a try. Read the reviews on their site first though. Don't get the drill attachment.
 
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adamgayton81

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I've had the HF for a while and it is actually more power than the PC. It works great for a home enthusiast and I recommend it if you are only using it 4-5 times a year. I would even recommend over the Porter Cable. I also have a GG6 and GG15.


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gdocktor3

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I'd buy a used truck brand off eBay. I have an older Chicago Pneumatuc, I think, I bought at a tag sale years ago that's worked for me the few times I've needed it. I've looked st the Meguiars myself for buffing and waxing my vehicles, but never pulled the trigger. As for HF, I'm just a HF hater so I won't waste my money on one.
 
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jayoldschool

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I bought the PC 7424, with the backing pad and orange/blue/black pads. I use it with Meguiar's products.
 
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tcianci

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I have the HF Platinum I think it is. Works great and they also have the different pads for it as well as Meguiars compound
 
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M6erfan

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kctyphoon said:
I have the same porter cable. It works really well for maintenance but it's not very aggressive which is why even an idiot can use it.. I needed to bring the paint back on my older black maxima before I sold it. It sat under a tree for a few years, I thought I was gonna have to set sand it. I bought the black hf polisher, not the DA, for like $40 or $50 and some of the Meguairs wool pads. It worked great..

I also tried a bunch of different compounds, even some of the pro 3m and Meguairs stuff. The absolute best compound wound up being the consumer Meguairs Ultimate compound. That stuff is amazing. I've only bought Meguairs Ultimate products since. . I tired like 5 different kinds and theirs was noticeably better on my black car.

I'd give the hf DA a try. Read the reviews on their site first though. Don't get the drill attachment.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the PC's not very agressive. I keep waiting on it to burn out to get a more powerful one, but it just keeps trucking...

I've corrected some fairly deep scratches an swirls with the PC, but probably worked harder than I had to
 
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balrog

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If you are going to do some heavy correction, save up for a more powerful unit like a Flex.

The Porter Cable model as suggested will be a great choice for minor corrections.

You must match the pad/polish combo to the task.
 
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Smokeshow69

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M6erfan

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Bit of a tangent but consider putting a base of glaze down after polishing/before waxing.

I use Chemical Guys EZ Creme glaze. Hides minor imperfections and creates an awesome base for your final step product...
 
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DD T/A

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balrog said:
If you are going to do some heavy correction, save up for a more powerful unit like a Flex.

The Porter Cable model as suggested will be a great choice for minor corrections.

You must match the pad/polish combo to the task.
Click to expand...
Could you give a part number on the Flex unit? What would you need more power for? I am new to buffing, but will need to buy one of these when I start doing more paintwork soon and want to buy something I that can do any work I may need.
 
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brooksdr

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I use a Dewalt DWP849 and it works good. They just came out with a new model with soft start. You can find them priced pretty fair used.
 
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balrog

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Flex 3401 is a good unit.

Lots of info on various detailing forums.
 
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KMdef9

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The HF DA is very popular on detailing forums. Spend good money on pads and product. The machine will do just fine.
 
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S/RConcepts

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I'd go with the Griot's Garage 6" DA, or GG6 as it's called on the detailing forums. It's the same size as the PC7424, but with more power and a lifetime warranty from Griot's. They're listed at $150, but they can be found much cheaper, especially with an Advance Auto 30% coupon. It's a great little machine, I've owned one for a few years and I've never had trouble. The only reason I don't use it often anymore is because I spent the $$$ on the new Rupes MKII.
 
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Monte

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winlinmac

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HF sells a 5" backing plate as well.

Also, Porter Cable is having a $20 off promotion at Amazon right now.

adamgayton81 said:
Yup that's a good one! Just buy good pads elsewhere and later down the road buy a 5" backing plate and swap it out with the 6" that it comes with.


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Click to expand...
 
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Smokeshow69

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I ended up getting the HF da polisher and using it to detail my wife black maxima. For how hammered the paint was and the amount of scratches due to prior owners, this thing worked pretty good! I would buy it again!
 
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tvtaurus

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I have the harbor freight DA as well. It has held up well to my use on the fleet. I have changed the backing plate and use different pads with it. The harbor freight pads only get through a few cars before they start falling apart. And yes I do clean and take care of them.
 
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NOZZLEMAN

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Just got one from Home Depot before Thanksgiving... this thing is awesome and even came packaged in a little soft fabric bag. Like the Snap-On my neighbor had just bought...HMMMMM
 
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smuro04

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I have the HF (69924, don't buy any other model but that one) with two Astro Pneumatic backing pads, fantastic little machine. I use Meguiars products with Lake Country pads and I've been VERY happy with it.
 
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jshillin

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Can't go wrong with the PC. Talk about tried and true... Pretty much every detailer started out with one and you can't kill them. I used one for several years. My main polisher now is a Flex, but I won't know the PC for a second.
 
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