30$ pneumatic polisher the ultimate scartch killer?

[B5visser]

After seeing this thread, I had to try it out for myself. I have a craftsman 6" air sander (almost identical to the one in the videos) already equipped with a "hook it" type backing plate. Stuck a 6" cheap pad on it and grabbed a scrap BMW 325i fender I had sitting around to immediately see if the "no stalling" is true. The machine still stalls on curves, just like a comparably equipped GG6 would, but at 90psi and the air valve all the way open, Id imagine it has a significantly higher RPM/OPM, thus stalls "less."

I think I snagged this sander at a garage sale for $5, so its a cheap defect killer for sure. Its a terror with a 3" BP and 4" b&s flat pads. Cant imagine it with a Megs MF cutting disc. The overall size is significantly more compact than a GG6 which may yield a bit more maneuverability. On open, flat panels, I hate to disagree but a Rupes mkII 21 will still be the fastest.

A couple things to keep in mind if you go this route, however.

- moisture in the lines and condensation in the tool will get onto your panel and cause a mess (unless you have a desiccant system or dryer in place)
- consider the long-term energy consumption differences between a 120v 15A compressor (1800W), and an 800W GG6 or 1100W Flex XFE.
- Overall noise of the air tool seems significantly higher pitched (and possibly louder) than a GG6.
- The DANG COUNTERWEIGHT!! My knuckles have gotten slapped by that whizzing weight on more than one occasion and it HURTS!

Knowing the capabilities of this tool, I think it is a great option for someone who already has a compressor and doesn't "need" to buy a dedicated polisher, but IMO, if you polish more than a few cars and want to earn a living polishing paint buying a "purpose built" polisher is the way to go.

[Joel1979]

The problem is that he is bashing certain machines and speaking bullshit. Yeah im sure that that machine will get the job done, but come on. I have tried Flex 3401 and i have a Mille and so far i get faster correction with long throw machines. Only thing that i know that beats 15-21 mk2 and microfiber pad is rotary with twisted woolpad.

I think its arrogant that he claims his' piece of crap is 50% more effective than high end polishers. I think its arrogant that he claims that most professional detailes are affraid to use a rotary.

"because most pro detailers are afraid to even use a rotary and they lack confidence and worried to burn clear coat..they turn to my industry with that mind set and my industry sells them 450 dollar machines that were designed to remove swirls, spider webbing, holograms and restore shine and gloss...but those things are the easiest thing to do in the first place..why do you see companies call some of these fancy long throw DA's SWIRL KILLERS?...they don't call them DEEP DEFECT KILLERS..lol...but with that said the rupes is an amazing tool to remove the defects mentioned faster than say a porter cable or a griots 6 inch orbital...but after that they will struggle to remove deep defects UNLESS your willing to spend hours and hours on a vehicle with slow arm speeds and aggressive pads with aggressive compounds and perhaps some wet sanding as well...and most pro detailers will chase the 20% of the buying public looking for that kind of correction, and as they spend 2 days on the same car, i have done 4 paint corrections for the 80% and made more money than the other guy..do you understand my thoughts?...but yes when people want perfection they call me as well in dallas but thats going to cost a lot of money"

[rangerbay]

Scott isn't bashing anyone. You have to understand where he's coming from. Every industry gets a little crazy at times, and sometimes you go down the rabbit hole.

His point is this; if you're lugging an air compressor around anyway, why not use something like this instead of investing hundreds, maybe thousands in tools that'll do the same job? It makes sense to me. There's no mention of how smooth it operates, its throw, adjusting the speed isn't as precise as dedicated polishers.

I think claiming it'll get the job done faster is pretty bold, but I think considering it wouldn't stall on any curve might make that true.

Scott puts out videos for a certain audience, and it's really important to keep that in mind when you watch his stuff. The same way I take what Larry kosilla and Kevin brown have with a grain of salt, I also approach scott in the same way.

Well said! There's an audience for everyone.

[Finick]

The problem is that he is bashing certain machines and speaking bullshit. Yeah im sure that that machine will get the job done, but come on. I have tried Flex 3401 and i have a Mille and so far i get faster correction with long throw machines. Only thing that i know that beats 15-21 mk2 and microfiber pad is rotary with twisted woolpad.

I think its arrogant that he claims his' piece of crap is 50% more effective than high end polishers. I think its arrogant that he claims that most professional detailes are affraid to use a rotary.

he is not bashing other brands. He is showing an alternative to what is commonly used and promoted around the industry. if he's bashing someone, that means garry dean bashes someone every time he promotes his harbor freight DA and says you "don't need fancy polishers."

Rupes and Flex make beautiful machines. They're the highest end polishers that I'm aware of, and that just comes with a hefty price tag. Whether the price is warranted or not? That's debatable, as well (i'm talking about the actual price, not whether the investment is worth it, to be clear.)

Scott is condescending and refutes everything with his "26 years of experience" detailing, so you get no argument from me that he's arrogant. Hell, just go watch his videos on how pH is the only thing that determines cleaning ability in car soaps, and how purple power boat wash or whatever it is will remove traffic film and strip your wax (i've still not seen anything that's convinced me anything other than a polish will for sure remove a LSP.)

If what Scott says bothers you, I simply wouldn't watch him. The same way he bothers you, Larry from ammo NYC bothers other people, and Darren from Auto Fetish Detail bothers others, and Garry Dean bothers people. There's an audience for all of these people. You're clearly not his target audience, and that's okay.

Opinions are everywhere. Worrying about what other people are doing is only going to stress you out. If what you're doing is working, keep doing it.