Polisher or Buffer????

[skiptut]

You have heard it before; I’m new at this and need help!!!!
08 Trunda with a lot of oxidation all over, top and sides. I want to purchase a polisher and if I have to a buffer to take care of the 08 and other personal cars for waxing. For a guy that wants to keep only his personal autos nice, where do I start? There seems to be too many possibiles for me to choose from. I want to keep it simple but not destroy to paint…. HELP Y’aLL

[zmcgovern45]

Any dual action/ random orbital machine will be great for your needs. Popular lower priced models are the Porter Cable 7424XP or the more powerful Griots Garage 3rd Gen machine. Both are totally safe and easy to use - even for a total beginner. Do your research regarding machines, products, and pads before ordering so you will not be left wishing you had something else. I believe many of the standard Tundra colors are a single stage paint (from what I've seen on other threads).

And Welcome to the AutoGeek Online!

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

I'm a bit curious; your title asks polisher or buffer? Are you asking whether or not to purchase a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer?

Personally, I like the Porter Cable 7424 dual action polishers. This style of machine is safe and easy to use. Regardless of which polisher you choose, stick with the 5 1/2" foam pads and appropriate backing plate..


The Porter Cable 7424xp


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)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


The Definitive How-To Article for using DA Polishers (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)
Step-by-Step How-To use the Porter Cable 7424XP (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19994-2008-lexus-250-pinnacle-detail.html)
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 Polisher 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)
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 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)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)

[Bamafire]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

I'm a bit curious; your title asks polisher or buffer? Are you asking whether or not to purchase a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer?

Personally, I like the Porter Cable 7424 dual action polishers. This style of machine is safe and easy to use. Regardless of which polisher you choose, stick with the 5 1/2" foam pads and appropriate backing plate..


The Porter Cable 7424xp


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)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


The Definitive How-To Article for using DA Polishers (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)
Step-by-Step How-To use the Porter Cable 7424XP (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19994-2008-lexus-250-pinnacle-detail.html)
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 Polisher 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)
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 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)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)


+1:iagree:

[mpkav]

I bought the Porter Cable/Wolfgang swirl remover combo a couple of months ago. I bought a used Ford F150 from Washington State with a TON of oxidation. I'm AMAZED at how well the Porter Cable did. I highly recommend it!!! The paint looks like new!!

[vegas911gts]

Follow what bobby g says and you'll be fine. He knows his stuff.

[ski2]

Keep in mind the Groits Garage DA is more powerfull than the PC and has a lifetime warranty. Hopefully you'd never need to use it, but comes in handy if the polisher breaks 5 years down the road.

[skiptut]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

I'm a bit curious; your title asks polisher or buffer? Are you asking whether or not to purchase a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer?

Personally, I like the Porter Cable 7424 dual action polishers. This style of machine is safe and easy to use. Regardless of which polisher you choose, stick with the 5 1/2" foam pads and appropriate backing plate..


The Porter Cable 7424xp


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)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)
Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


The Definitive How-To Article for using DA Polishers (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)
Step-by-Step How-To use the Porter Cable 7424XP (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19994-2008-lexus-250-pinnacle-detail.html)
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 Polisher 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)
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 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)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)

Thanks for the welcome and the info you supplied me with. I just don't know if I need a polisher or buffer or both or are they the same thing these days? Do you suggest buying the backing plate, pads and the micro fiber kit? What about the paste or creams, I have not looked at Mikes info but I don't have any idea where to start. Thanks for the help, I need it!!!!

[Evan.J]

Thanks for the welcome and the info you supplied me with. I just don't know if I need a polisher or buffer or both or are they the same thing these days? Do you suggest buying the backing plate, pads and the micro fiber kit? What about the paste or creams, I have not looked at Mikes info but I don't have any idea where to start. Thanks for the help, I need it!!!!

You should read through all those articles they will answer a lot of questions for you and explain lots. If your just starting out a DA polisher is safe and easy to use as stated before

[ski2]

Welcome to AG!!


You should read through all those articles they will answer a lot of questions for you and explain lots. If your just starting out a DA polisher is safe and easy to use as stated before

+1 on this--it's important for you to read the info Bobby posted. Everything you are asking has been posted before and 99% of you questions will be answered reading the material posted above.

That being said a "Buffer" is usually what you find at Wallyworld or Kmart for $15 - $20. You don't want or need one of these as they are very underpowered and can't be used for any serios polishing.

In a nutshell what you want is a Random Orbital, Variable Speed Polisher. The Porter Cable, Groits Garage and Megs unit are all RO, VS Polishers around $110 to $150-any of these are great to start with and safe for your paint. There is also the Rupes ($350-400) which is a RO, VS Polisher, but with a larger orbit and the Flex ($350) which also has forced rotation.

You need a backing plate--they all come with a 6" BP for 6.5" pads, but you may as well start off buying a 5" plate as most will recommend using this smaller size for 5.5" pads which are easier to use and offer better correction capabilities (especially with the Porter Cable) Also, 5.5" pads are less expensive.

You need foam pads. IMO at least 10 to start. 4 heavier correction pads--usually yellow or orange, 4 polishing pads usually white, green or blue and a couple of red or black soft pads--one for each wax or sealant you plan to use. There are also microfiber pads but let's keep it simple for now.

You need a compound for heavier correction, a polish for lighter correction and perhaps a finish polish if your car has very soft paint.

You need allot of microfiber towels for removing polish.

This should get you started and some reading will make it even more clear. Good Luck!!

[rmagnus]

Thanks for the welcome and the info you supplied me with. I just don't know if I need a polisher or buffer or both or are they the same thing these days? Do you suggest buying the backing plate, pads and the micro fiber kit? What about the paste or creams, I have not looked at Mikes info but I don't have any idea where to start. Thanks for the help, I need it!!!!

You've received solid advise so far. +1 on the PC. If you're asking if the DA & RB are the same you really should get a DA.