Can I use this RO sander to do some light polishing?

**jasonjeremiah** · 07-02-2011, 09:59 AM

Hello all,

I know before asking that the PC is the best all around polisher/waxer for detailing, but at this time, I do not have the budget for the PC. I am a woodworker and have a nice Ridgid palm random orbit sander and was wondering if I could use it for some light polishing and waxing. I'm planning to clean it thoroughly and remove any sawdust and particles. It has a 5" hook and loop backing pad. It is a variable speed, but the minimum OPM is 7,000, which I'm sure is way to high, but I have a router speed control that I can use to adjust the OPMs to any rate. It has a 3 amp motor. I was planning to buy the Meguiar's yellow and beige pads. How does this sound? Thanks for the help. Here's a link to the sander specs. 5? Random Orbit Sander - RIDGID Professional Tools

Mike Phillips · 07-02-2011, 10:07 AM

I didn't look at the link but I've tested a lot of wood sanders and the reason that the PC unit became a paint polisher from the wood working world is because the design and power will rotate a foam pad.

All of the other orbital wood sanders I've tested won't rotate the pad, they will just jiggle or vibrate the pad so you can't do any defect removal.

You could use it to apply wax and it will probably only mildly do a better job than your hand.

Here's an excerpt from this article that touches on the history of where DA polishers came from...

The Free Floating Spindle Bearing Assembly - The Story Behind The Story...

Enter the Porter Cable DA Sander
That's right, I said sander! The Porter Cable Dual Action Sander is the tool that became the Tipping Point that was the driving force behind the average person switching from working by hand to working by machine.

The Porter Cable Dual Action Sander with Wood Dust Collecting Attachment for Sanding Wood

Sanding the old finish off using a Porter Cable Dual Action Sander

The exact same tool only outfitted with a foam polishing pad for machine polishing automotive clear coat paints

Mike Phillips · 07-02-2011, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by jasonjeremiah

Hello all,

It is a variable speed, but the minimum OPM is 7,000, which I'm sure is way to high,

It will work with a thin piece of sandpaper but my guess is it won't work with a foam pad.

Maybe a thin foam pad or a Meguiar's microfiber disc.

Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System, paint polishing system, car polish, car detailing system, compounding system, remove scratches

Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads

Like I always tell my son...

"You don't know what you can do until you try"

And welcome to Autogeek Online!

**jasonjeremiah** · 07-02-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks so much for the welcome and reply. I'll try and see how it goes. The amount of throw is very minimal, I think around 3/32" but I don't need to do major paint correction. I have a brand new black Kia Sportage and the paint has some faint spider webbing from them washing at the dealership. Maybe I'll just use my polishing pal and either some of the old formula ScratchX or Ultimate Polish followed by some Duragloss 105 and Aquawax. How does that sound?

Mike Phillips · 07-02-2011, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by jasonjeremiah

Thanks so much for the welcome and reply. I'll try and see how it goes. The amount of throw is very minimal, I think around 3/32" but I don't need to do major paint correction.

I have a brand new black Kia Sportage and the paint has some faint spider webbing from them washing at the dealership.

Maybe I'll just use my polishing pal and either some of the old formula ScratchX or Ultimate Polish followed by some Duragloss 105 and Aquawax.

How does that sound?

Sounds good, give it a try to a small section and then check your results.

For your test spot I always recommend using a Tape-Line when doing your testing as it will make it very easy for your eyes to detect changes, which usually mean improvements in the test area and gauge how effectively your pads, products, tool and techniques are working on this particular paint system.

**jasonjeremiah** · 07-04-2011, 02:46 PM

I decided to bite the bullet and ordered the Griot's polisher. It sounds like it's a good polisher. I'm looking forward to using it.

**S2K** · 07-04-2011, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by jasonjeremiah

I decided to bite the bullet and ordered the Griot's polisher. It sounds like it's a good polisher. I'm looking forward to using it.

You will be glad you did, it's a good machine and the time and effort it will save you will pay for itself in no time. If you're a woodworker than you understand the importance of having the right tools and good ones.