What Polisher Or Buffer Should I Get?

[iStig]

Im in the market for my first polisher/buffer and wanted to know which one or ones are the best in general or for me. Somehow i have some old 7 inch Vector profesional polisher which i have never used and probably will never use unless you guys tell me that i should use it. Im welling to spend as much money as i need to get a quality polisher that will last forever and be efficient enough if i ever make my hobby into a small business (years to come).

[parttimer]

Griots is what you need, good power, lifetime warranty. If you're just doing your own stuff or a here and there, more than enough.

[iStig]

Griots is what you need, good power, lifetime warranty. If you're just doing your own stuff or a here and there, more than enough.

if i were to buy one, what compounds and cutting pads do i need, have not jumped into the polishing world yet.

[refreshauto]

go with either the Rupes entire system or the Flex 3401 with the hybrid pads, you cannot go wrong with either one.

[aburgeson]

To be honest I would grab a rupes if its your first polisher. The flex 3401 is good but takes some getting used to. The rupes 21 or 15 will give you tons of cutting power and very easy to use. Pad wise the rupes are good but so are the lake country ccs and hybrid pads.

[Tato]

My answer is guided through your statement 'Im willing to spend as much money as i need to get a quality polisher that will last forever and be efficient enough'...

You need this (follow me):


Polisher and backing plates

Flex 3401 Polisher
Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer

Changeable backing plate system
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System

Optional to start with, but very useful and must have in the future, 4 3/8" plate:
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX


Pads in 6.5"

2 units orange cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)

2 units white polishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)

2 units black finishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)

(Optionals / but great addition)
1 unit 6" Hybrid Blue Wool Pad
6 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Wool Pad (Single)

2 units blue light cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)


Pads in 5"

2 units orange
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)

2 units white
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)

2 units black
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)

(Optional / but great addition)
2 units blue
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)


Pads in 4"

To be able to tackle almost every spot at most cars, get a 6 pack of 4" CCS pads,
Follow the colors above, 2 orange, 2 white, 2 black/gray
Lake Country 4 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!


Polishes
*Order 16oz as suggested, and re-order what you feel to be using more.
*All suggested are made by Menzerna

FG400 Compound (cutting polish)
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound

PF2500 Polish
Menzerna Power Finish PO 203, one step polish, swirl remover, finishing polish, car polish, german car polish, menzerna polishing compounds, power

SF4000 Finishing polish
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish

Owning an AIO product will allow you to do fast turnarounds. It'll light polish, clean, and seal the paint in 1 easy and fast step.

Sealing polish / Cleaner Wax / All-in-one (AIO) Polish:

Try XMT360
XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.

or BlackFire Total Polish and Seal
BLACKFIRE Total Polish & Seal, polish and wax, cleaner wax, car polish


Wax and Sealant

You'll need to protect, seal and add the last drip of gloss, I'm recommending a wax and a sealant, get both if possible.

Good Wax Menzerna Color Lock
Menzerna Color Lock Carnauba Wax, menzerna car wax, carnauba car wax

New and Improved DP Policoat Sealant
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant, polymer paint sealant, auto paint sealant, DP Policoat paint sealant, paint sealer


Microfiber Towels
Get at least 6 units of quality microfiber towels to start with. After you start working you may feel the need for more. Reserve your best towels to remove polish residue.

Recommendations (there are many others!):

4 units Purple plush towels (2 each size)
Cobra Deluxe 600 Microfiber Combo, 4 microfiber buffing towels, microfiber detailing towels, cobra microfiber

3 units Gold Plush towels
Cobra Gold Plush Microfiber Towels, Cobra Microfiber Buffing Towels, Cobra Microfiber car detailing cloths

A blue towel to remove wax (but can be used to virtually anything, just a suggestion of color coding
Microfiber Wax Removal Towel, buffing cloth

You can never have too many quality MF towels.

If you agree with that (lol!), get 3x small Gold plush, they are very handy
Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel, microfiber buffing towel, micro fiber towel

With those suggested you'll be able to work with all products suggested above.

Hope that helps, also willing to see your first show and shine thread!

Good luck,

Kind Regards.

[Goldcaddy]

Figure out your budget.

If it's correction power you want then 3401/21ES. If you want a good all around performer on a budget then GG/7424XP...or upgrade to a Duetto which has the same compact body of the GG/7424XP but smoother operation. Or a 3401/or21es/or15es & mini combo would get you into those tight spaces and cover the larger panels as well. You can never have too much versatility.

[VISITOR]

this is one of the most talked about topics on here, if you are on a budget then get the GG6. lots of power, and a great warranty. with the plethora of products out these days, it should be able to tackle whatever you throw at it.

[Kengo123]

Griots garage 6" da

We have hf das and had a pc, and will be upgrading soon to the gg6. DAs are very easy to use

[Kamakaz1961]

Flex 3401 VRG, Get all the different size backing plates Flex, Lake Country, Menzerna FG400, Menzerna SF4500 (or SF4000). Lake Country Pads Varying sizes....Orange, White, Black or Red, and Gold Jeweling Pads hybrid, CCS, or Flat your preference.

You are going to get alot of opinions....this is just me and I have done really well with this.
I also have the PC7424XP with varying backing plates from 2 7/8" to 5" Backing Plates. This is for budget minded people. The GG 6" is OK, however, I can't comment positive or negative as I do not have one.