Help me choose my first polisher

[nmatthew]

I'm looking to buy my first polisher

I've been interested in detailing for 2/3 years. Throughout that time all I did to express my detailing passion was doing proper washes on my cars, detailing my engine bay, wheels, applying various sealants n waxes, etc. When I need a paint correction and coating I go to my local detailer to get my cars done.

I watch and learn a lot about detailing regularly from Youtube videos. I thought about getting a polisher for quite a while. I recently bought another car (used) and I can't help seeing the swirls and imperfections on the paint! So I thought, this is my chance to get a polisher and learn to correct my paint. My friends also support me to get a polisher and they want to pay me to polish their car too later.

My cars are all Japanese cars, which has a soft paint. I think in the future I will more often deal with these soft painted cars. What polisher do you guys think I should get? I really like the Rupes lhr15 m3 but I think for now its too much for my budget.

I'm thinking to get a 5 inch DA polisher with a 15mm stroke, specifically the ShineMate EX610 5/15 or the Shinemate EX620 5/15.

[opie]

they want to pay me to polish their car too later.

So this is the most important piece of information that you said in your entire post.

If you have enough extra funds to make the upfront purchase and have any plans to do this on the side...get a flex supa beast. Forced rotation is the key. As mike phillips always said, time is money.

Doesnt matter about paint hardness, adjust abrasives/pads.

Personally my machine buffing time was cut in half when i switched from free spinning da to forced rotation.

Your machine will pay for itself after your first paid buff job

Again this is my personal choice, and have no regrets.

Buy once cry once lol

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[mwoolfso]

If you are handy with power tools.... Flex Supa Beast for sure....

[John U]

I'm looking to buy my first polisher

I'm thinking to get a 5 inch DA polisher with a 15mm stroke, specifically the ShineMate EX610 5/15 or the Shinemate EX620 5/15.

Ya know, I don’t care for long throws. You get close to a mirror or spoiler and bam bam bouncing off them. 8 mm I have better control getting close to objects.

[UncleDavy]

Personally I like the Griots G9 and I recently got the G8. The Griots machines will be half the price of a Rupes or a Flex. If you decide to make your living at detailing and polishing, then a Flex may be the way to go.

[VISITOR]

Personally I like the Griots G9 and I recently got the G8. The Griots machines will be half the price of a Rupes or a Flex. If you decide to make your living at detailing and polishing, then a Flex may be the way to go.

also, you have an additional polisher (G8) to cover the smaller/narrow panels. using/owning only one polisher with a 5"/6" backing plate isn't ideal as a all-in-one type polisher for every contour/panel of the vehicle. the G9/G15 & G8 is a terrific combo. you can also purchase a 1" extension to use with the G8 (already comes with both 2" & 3" backing plates) as well, which gives you even more versatility...

[PaulMys]

Personally I like the Griots G9 and I recently got the G8. The Griots machines will be half the price of a Rupes or a Flex. If you decide to make your living at detailing and polishing, then a Flex may be the way to go.

^^^ This ^^^

And in addition, Griot's has a 100% no BS lifetime warranty.

[Coatingsarecrack]

Where are you from? If in the US the Shinemates are pretty expensive. I would go with griots for like quality.

I like a 15mm and 12mm mini (3”)to complement.

If out of US the shinemates seem to be a nice product and probably cheaper than the Griots.

I like tha Random DA’s are smoother than gear driven and don’t mind spending an extra half hour polishing my car. Feel it’s more relaxing.

If you plan on doing it for money and trying to get everything done in an allotted time frame then I would probably go gear driven.

Al


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[luckydawg]

If you plan on using it --and plan on using it for many years to come
Rupes is the way to go. Buy it once and then no need to upgrade later

[dlc95]

I like to Porter Cable 7424xp, personally. But lately I've been using my Rupes Nano, Mini, Duetto, and 21.

I use the Adam's 15 and Mini at work, and they're not too bad either.