New member with questions regarding Buffers

[sumair]

Hey guys,

Just signed up and excited to learn. Ive got a 2006 nissan titan as a work vehicle/toy. its a dark grey color and has scratches and swirlmarks. my intentions are to make it as clean as possible. Ive always done everything my hand as im nervous to try anything else but i think im ready. ive been reading up on the big 3 polishers that are available. and ill be honest..my head hurts.

PC7424xp----Griots ---meguar 110v2

im just wondering what people are using and whats a good buffer for a beginner? kinda the pros and cons of each one. also each buffer can be combined with polishes and waxes but im not really sure which would be a good one to go with. like i said...i want to remove scratches and swirl marks and rally make it shine. ive always heard of zianos and poorboys but i dont really see them on this site nor do i know if they are one of the superior products.

i also noticed they have all sorts of specials going on. (10% off or 15%). I plan on buying a polisher and products today. which one is a current one?

Im sure you guys get alot of questions so ill shut up and let you guys educate me. im willing to learn.

Thanks in advance.

here is a few pics of my truck.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/Sumairmaxx/IMAG0039.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/Sumairmaxx/zwzyu0.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/Sumairmaxx/Titanretrofit.jpg

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online!!

There are two classes of dual action polishers discussed here, the Flex 3401 and the Porter Cable style.

Flex 3401

The Flex is in a class of its own and while it's considered by many to the the best dual action polisher on the market it's built like a tank and is somewhat pricey.

Porter Cable style

These are probably more the type your looking for but make no mistake, these are quality machines capable of correcting some of the most stubborn finish defects.


Porter Cable
Griot's
Meguiar's

Porter Cable wrote the book on these polishers long before the other two were even through of.

The first generation Porter Cable 7424 was available to customers 12 years prior to Meguiar's announcing they were entering the market with them offering their G110 polisher in 2006. I'm not sure when Griot's began offering their polisher...

The Porter Cable 7424 basically set the standard which made many if the features between the 3 interchangeable.

To the best of my knowledge Porter Cable is the only company listed above that designs and manufactures their power tools. Griot's and Meguiar's are not in the power tool manufacturing business therefore contract their orders and my guess to the lowest bidder. But this probably also applies to Porter Cable now that everyone's left the US to manufacture abroad...

Griot's has the most powerful motor among the three. The Porter Cable 7424xp is the second generation polisher which outsells the others combined.

Meguiar's falls into the same realm as Griot's in regard to manufacturing power tools.

Pad Size

The Porter Cable style polishes are right at home with a 5" backing plate and using 5 1/2" foam pads, not the 6 1/2 diameter pads typically offered.

Pads & Friction

The size or surface area does not directly affect the frictional force between two surfaces until downward force or pressure is applied. Reducing the pad size will only improve the mechanical efficiency of the machine.

The motor of your polisher produces some amount of power. The larger the pad surface area the harder the motor must work. Now, most will say "it's only 1 extra inch", but when it comes to surface area and friction your really talking about an additional 10 square inches. Now take a look at the difference between the 5 1/2", 6 1/2" and 7" pad...........Size does matter!


Surface Area - 5 1/2 pad = 23.75 in²
Surface Area - 6 1/2 pad = 33.18 in²
Surface Area - 7 pad = 38.484 in²

There is a direct relationship between the pad surface area and the polishers ability to transfer adequate power to the pad improving it's overall performance.

My Choice: The Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)

Dual Action Polisher

1. - Working with a dual action polisher


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)

2. - The Porter Cable 7424, backing plate, and pads


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)

[rustytruck]

I just bought a cyclo 5 pro from autogeek(came in yesterday,opened last nite,have not used yet) I'm not sure why it's not mentioned as much as the big 3 (maybe price Twice as much as the ones mentioned) But it seemed to be the best machine for what I was looking to do Polishing,waxing,All in one products. Seems to be best built. I'm not getting into compounding so no need for a rotary. I'm sure a bunch of people will chime in with advice.

[07gtcs]

I'm a newb myself, bought the PC and used it for the first time this past weekend on my Mustang. Very happy with it, but make sure you buy a backing plate with it to put your pads on. I was not aware of that and had to order that seperately.

[Mike Phillips]

The first generation Porter Cable 7424 was available to customers 12 years prior to Meguiar's announcing they were entering the market with them offering their G110 polisher in 2006. I'm not sure when Griot's began offering their polisher...




Nice summary post Bobby...


I get asked all the time which one is my favorite and my normal answer is the one that's closest to my hand...

My other answer is you're not going to reduce the amount of total time needed to buff out a car from start to finish no matter which tool you have. The GG has the most power but the Megs unit has a cruise control feature which maintains power under load.

The Porter Cable has been used to buff out millions of cars since it was borrowed from the wood sanding industry and sold as a paint polisher.


So they're all capable tools.


My favorite recommendation to people new to machine polishing is to do a Test Spot, that's where you take your polisher, pads and products of choice and test them out to one small area and make sure you can make one section look exactly like you hope and dream about before buffing out the rest of the car.


:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

I'm a newb myself, bought the PC and used it for the first time this past weekend on my Mustang. Very happy with it, but make sure you buy a backing plate with it to put your pads on. I was not aware of that and had to order that seperately.


I would recommend getting a 5" backing plate and 5.5" buffing pads no matter which polisher you get. The Griot's and the Meguiar's come with 6" backing plates and while these will work, forum concensus is that smaller, thinner pads are better able to utilize the power from all three of these types of tools.


Here's a few articles...


Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28825-thin-new-lake-country-hydro-tech-low-profile-5-1-2-x-7-8-inch-foam-pads.html)

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27194-5-1-2-inch-6-inch-buffing-pads-pictures-links.html)

5 Inch Backing Plates for DA Polishers - Pictures and Links (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27193-5-inch-backing-plates-da-polishers-pictures-links.html)




And a few more...



Dual Action Polishers

Video: How-To do a "Section Pass" when Machine Polishing with a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/24074-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-buffing.html)

The short how-to guide for using a DA Polisher
How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html)

The long and in-depth guide for using a DA Polisher
The Definitive How-To Article for Removing Swirls, Scratches and Water Spots Using a Porter Cable 7424XP, G110v2 or Griot's Garage Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html) - Includes Videos

How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)

Wet Buffing Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36237-wet-buffing-technique.html)

How-to Machine Apply Wax using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)

How to Apply Dodo Pastes Waxes by Machine (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25737-how-apply-dodo-pastes-waxes-machine.html)

How To Apply Mothers California Gold Carnauba Paste Wax by Machine (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25725-how-apply-mothers-california-gold-pure-carnauba-paste-machine.html)

How much product do I use with my DA Polisher? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/26962-how-much-product-do-i-use-my-da-polisher.html)

The Free Floating Spindle Assembly - The Story Behind The Story... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23995-free-rotating-spindle-assembly-story-behind-story.html)

Handle? Or No Handle? - Using DA Polishers Without the Handle (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/30822-handle-no-handle-using-da-polishers-without-handle.html)

New! Cyclo Model 5 Pro Series - Variable Speed (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/cyclo-polisher-accessories/30559-new-cyclo-model-5-pro-series-variable-speed.html)

How to use a microfiber bonnet to remove dried wax by machine (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29369-how-use-microfiber-bonnet-remove-dried-wax-machine.html)

DA Polishers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/porter-cable-7424xp-updates/20291-stick-handle-hoop-handle-no-handle-all.html)

Griot's Random Orbital Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/20437-griot-s-random-orbital-polisher.html)

Meguiar's G110v2 - 2nd Generation G110 Dual Action Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/22103-meguiar-s-g110v2-2nd-generation-g110-dual-action-polisher.html)

Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher - Extreme Demo - Warning! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/22065-griot-s-garage-3-mini-polisher-extreme-demo-warning.html)

3" Mini Polisher- 2nd Generation Griot's Garage Mini Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/21846-3-mini-polisher-gen-ii-griot-s-garage-mini-polisher.html)

Show Car Garage Video: How to use the Cyclo Polisher to remove swirls and scratches (video: How to use the Cyclo Polisher to remove swirls and scratches)

Show Car Garage Video: How To Remove Swirls, Scratches and Water Spots using a PC 7424XP, Meguiar's G110v2 or Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/)

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)



Resources

E-book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-e-book.html)
(Displayed on iPad - iPad not included)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/EbookCarWashingPage.jpg

Paperback
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/paperbackDetailingBook01.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html)


How to Properly Use the Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher Updated! (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-dvd.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1313/PorterCableDVD.jpg


Pinnacle Complete Car Care System Instructional How-to DVD (http://www.autogeek.net/picocarcasyi.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1313/PinnacleDVD.jpg


Mike Phillips' The Art Of Detailing Audio Book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-audio-book.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2201_75669630


Mike Phillips' Principles of Machine Polishing
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/824/AGSCGDVD001.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/24852-autogeek-show-car-garage-video.html)





:xyxthumbs:

[sumair]

thanks guys for all the responses. and for all the links on helpful info. def gonna read up on the links once i get home.

Noticed no one mentioned anything about polishes and waxes. which are pretty good products? I know asking which is best is a battle of opinions so thats why i asked what are good ones. lol.

[onlycodered]

Meguiars has IMO the best polish lineup. I'm a big fan of Blackfire as far as wax goes. Check out their Blackfire Wet Diamond All Paint Protection synthetic wax.

[timaishu]

Meguiars ultimate compound and ultimate polish are both great OTC products. And the best part is they are cheap! Very easy products to work with.

[sumair]

i bought the meguairs g110v2 with the meguairs compound. then added natty's blue for the topping. excited to get it and start!!!!!!