M-technik-3
Well-known member
I am looking for a reasonable detailing buffer, My cars are looking dirt after the wettest July since ? I had an older Griots but it's dead.
Suggestions for detailing buffer
- Thread starter M-technik-3
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finn
Well-known member
Rules, Torq, and Flex seemed to all have good reviews, but don’t necessarily fit the requirements of being a budget tool.
I ended up buying a Dewalt random orbital because I decided I don’t want any more corded tools, and I already have multiple Dewalt batteries and chargers, so the bare tool was somewhat affordable. Had pretty good reviews on the YouTube detailing channels, but it’s no Flex or Rupes.
It replaced an older corded HF which, given the price point actually wasn’t too bad, although the vibration level might bother some people.
You get what you pay for, I guess.
I ended up buying a Dewalt random orbital because I decided I don’t want any more corded tools, and I already have multiple Dewalt batteries and chargers, so the bare tool was somewhat affordable. Had pretty good reviews on the YouTube detailing channels, but it’s no Flex or Rupes.
It replaced an older corded HF which, given the price point actually wasn’t too bad, although the vibration level might bother some people.
You get what you pay for, I guess.
OP
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Was hoping for about $100 but thinking I will have to spending a few more. Does Milwaukee make a good cordless? I have majority of their M18 tools.
Bighead38
Well-known member
I had a porter cable that I really liked but it broke. Got a Dewalt but it’s not a random orbital and recently picked up a torq. I really like the torq but haven’t had a chance to really test it yet.
bigdave_185
Well-known member
Iv ran the Hf, the dewalt cordless, the torq, I landed on the rupes Bigfoot snd will never regret it. Best tool on the market and if you polish a friends car they will pay for your tools
the dewalt ran though 20v batteries like a crack addict
The older Hf as said above wrecks your wrists over time will cause permanent damage to your nerves ask how I know,
the rupes is light, balanced, great product support and most of all quality reliable results.
the dewalt ran though 20v batteries like a crack addict
The older Hf as said above wrecks your wrists over time will cause permanent damage to your nerves ask how I know,
the rupes is light, balanced, great product support and most of all quality reliable results.
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OP
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Rupes is definitely out of my budget at present time.
leadfoot415
Well-known member
I upgraded to this, Makita PO5000cx2 and love it, but it is probably out of your price range. I have considered also getting their cordless version of this buffer, but it is VERY expensive.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
For the money the G9 from Griot's Garage is unbeatable. I prefer a rotary myself but if you're not an experienced buffer you can get in trouble with a rotary. A monkey can polish something with a random orbit. Here's a great comparison video.
For Budget you could go harbor freight Bauer. Pretty good product i have to say. It served its purpose well.
www.harborfreight.com
Then to upgrade from there you could go Meguiars MT300. Great product for the hobbiest or weekend warrior. Could go full on busniness with this one but its not as efficient. Little time consuming still being a 8mm throw.
www.meguiarsdirect.com
Then you get to Rupes. True professional product. the first is a 15mm throw (ill explain at the bottom of this list) and the ultimate one is the rupes LHR21
Ok so a quick explanation if needed. 8mm throw will take a while and a few of each stage pad per vehicle where a 21mm throw will correct in half the time with approximately 1 pad per vehicle.
5.7 Amp 6 in. Short-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander
Amazing deals on this 8Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Then to upgrade from there you could go Meguiars MT300. Great product for the hobbiest or weekend warrior. Could go full on busniness with this one but its not as efficient. Little time consuming still being a 8mm throw.
Meguiar's MT300 Professional Dual Action Polisher
Meguiar's Professional Dual Action Polisher is engineered out of the desire to give professional detailers and body shops the very best solutions to deliver flawless results time after time. Designed by professionals, for professionals and detail enthusiasts, the MT300 delivers the features that...
www.meguiarsdirect.com
Then you get to Rupes. True professional product. the first is a 15mm throw (ill explain at the bottom of this list) and the ultimate one is the rupes LHR21
Ok so a quick explanation if needed. 8mm throw will take a while and a few of each stage pad per vehicle where a 21mm throw will correct in half the time with approximately 1 pad per vehicle.
Don't get me wrong I'm not, but one could almost take offense to this comment about the monkey. Yes a rotary is much harder than a DA but in the wrong hands a person can get into some trouble with a DA. Albeit not near as much as a rotary. Ammo NYC has great series on the differences between the different types of polishers. Again don't get me wrong, Im the farthest thing away from offended. But rotary is ancient technology where DA is the newest.
If it’s just for a couple of cars, the harbor freight machine isn’t bad. If you are a hobbyist the Griots machine is nice has great support from the mfg. The more expensive machines won’t get you more shine, they just work faster, which for a newbie isn’t the best thing.
yeah the griots is a great machine for sure.
OP
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Alright I have reviewing to do tonight, thanks all I am honestly tired of paying other to detail my cars.
The Porter-Cable 7424XP seemed to be really popular not to long ago. pretty close to your budget as well.
PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch (7424XP), gray - Power Polishing Tools - Amazon.com
PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch (7424XP), gray - Power Polishing Tools - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
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kabinenroller
Well-known member
i have an old Porter Cable orbital that works OK. I have been considering purchasing a newer smaller unit and the Griots units look interesting. I would think that the Griot units are rebranded and made by a large manufacturer. Does anyone know who makes them? Or are they proprietary to Griot and just manufactured by someone else?
mslim
Well-known member
(Resurrecting a slightly dormant, but pertinent thread.)
I'm headed to SoCal soon in my 35' OAL 5th wheel for the winter. It's got the faded gray gelcoat front cap that affects a lot of RV's. I have no experience detailing with a machine. I need a recommendation for a buffer to bring up shine on the gelcoat and wax it (most likely with a ceramic product. I've only used carnauba in the past).
I thought I had decided on the Porter Cable 7424XP but lately reading about BD's lack of interest in PC, I've gotten cold feet. It seems to be an orphaned tool and I want good support if I have a problem. I'd probably spend up to $200 if I had to, but I'd love to get away with less. Is the Griot's G9 the way to go?
Also I'm confused by the confusing array of buffing pads and products to go on the machine. Does anybody know a source and what type of pads I need for applying Meguiar's M4916?
I'm headed to SoCal soon in my 35' OAL 5th wheel for the winter. It's got the faded gray gelcoat front cap that affects a lot of RV's. I have no experience detailing with a machine. I need a recommendation for a buffer to bring up shine on the gelcoat and wax it (most likely with a ceramic product. I've only used carnauba in the past).
I thought I had decided on the Porter Cable 7424XP but lately reading about BD's lack of interest in PC, I've gotten cold feet. It seems to be an orphaned tool and I want good support if I have a problem. I'd probably spend up to $200 if I had to, but I'd love to get away with less. Is the Griot's G9 the way to go?
Also I'm confused by the confusing array of buffing pads and products to go on the machine. Does anybody know a source and what type of pads I need for applying Meguiar's M4916?
dnschmidt
Well-known member
If you're buffing gelcoat you need a rotary and wool. These tinker toy DA's are great for the relatively soft clearcoats used on cars but for gelcoat you've got to get serious both with respect to the machine and the compound used. Start with Menzerna 300 compound and wool and go to Menzerna 3500 for final polish with orange foam.
mslim
Well-known member
I have a Black & Decker from the late '70's that's very powerful. I tried it once on a Chevy van of that era and it burned thru the paint pretty fast. No doubt user error but also GM was stingy with paint back then. I could see primer right behind the front bumper on a brand new van. It looks either they use more paint now or the robots do a better job.
The spec plate is gone from the B&D so I have no idea what the rpm is or if it's even suitable for this job. Perhaps someone else can date it? It looks like some 6126's I've seen on Ebay but I haven't seen an orange one. More research suggests this could also be a 7950 with a 4500 rpm no load speed. I can't find a color pix of it to know for sure. Is this too powerful for gelcoat?
I've used to use it with an 80 grit open coat to sharpen shovels and mower blades before I got a proper angle grinder.
The spec plate is gone from the B&D so I have no idea what the rpm is or if it's even suitable for this job. Perhaps someone else can date it? It looks like some 6126's I've seen on Ebay but I haven't seen an orange one. More research suggests this could also be a 7950 with a 4500 rpm no load speed. I can't find a color pix of it to know for sure. Is this too powerful for gelcoat?
I've used to use it with an 80 grit open coat to sharpen shovels and mower blades before I got a proper angle grinder.
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2Busy
Well-known member
I have this Porter Cable and like it.
G1GRANDEUR
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- Aug 22, 2009
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can't go wrong with that, sure you can spend more money for nicer models. but if you use it time to time, 7424xp will do just fine.
tncatadjuster
Well-known member
AC Delco due to it’s reviews. Cheap with two batteries, did my truck and it performed well.
soloz2
Well-known member
I love my Griots DAs. I bought a GG6 and put a 5" backing plate on it 10 years ago. Its still going without any issues, but I wanted to get a smaller DA to go with it this spring. I looked at all the available ones and thought seriously about a Rupes or Flex, but just couldn't justify the price increase for a tool I only use a couple times a year. Griots offered me to trade in my GG6 on a G9 and they were so awesome to deal with I decided to keep my GG6 and purchase the 2 pack of G9 and G6 DA polishers. Both are fantastic. I love having multiple size machines when working. I now have a 3", 5" and 6" setup ready for whatever I need to use.
RTM
Well-known member
I am a noob to polishing, but a deal on a old Griots detail polisher got me into doing my own headlights. Looking on detailing websites got me to Lake Country Mfg. the have a great pdf with details in all their stuff, what sizes, how aggressive, etc. this seems to be a synopsis page of that pdf.
lakecountrymfg.com
Pad Technology – Lake Country Manufacturing
lakecountrymfg.com
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
We've gotten off track here, YEA THAT'S SOMETHING NEW! The OP apparently wants to polish gel-coat (which in case you don't know is polyester and about five times harder than acrylic urethane clearcoat. For this purpose using a small orbit DA like the Porter-Cable is entirely useless. A 21mm machine plus a wool pad has a chance but will still be painfully slow. For gelcoat you need to get out the big guns and that's a powerful rotary with a twisted wool pad and very aggressive compound like Menzerna 300 or 3D 500. Gelcoat will laugh at anything other than that.
mslim
Well-known member
What do you think of the old 4500 rpm orange black and decker? Is that too fast for a polishing noob like me? I pretty sure the motor has enough a$$ to do it. Would I be better off with a Shurhold? It's crowding my budget.
tdkkart
Well-known member
Dual random orbital heads, pretty much off the "reasonable" scale, but I really like mine, and have never regretted buying it.
Available other places too.
www.eastwood.com
Available other places too.
Cyclo Model 5 Dual Orbital Headed Polisher
Cyclo Model 5 Dual Orbital Headed Polisher
www.eastwood.com
dnschmidt
Well-known member
No, that is not a buffer it's a grinder. Buffers go from 0 to about a max of 2800 rpm. You'll burn through trying to use that. Don't be penny wise and thousand dollar foolish. Using that would be just about as stupid as using a $14 Harbor Freight spray gun to spray $1000 of automotive paint.