rotary or orbital?

**gary69** · 03-24-2008, 10:16 AM

hey guys i know i dont post much over here but im getting ready to start getting my car back into summer mode and possibly making some money on the side detailing some friends' cars. so my question is what buffer do you guys think would be a better investment for the long run?my friend has the ultimate detailer buffer he got with the XMT intermediate swirl remover kit and he likes it but he really dosnt know what he is doing, i have ran a rotary buffer with a blue foam head before on my black car and it came out amazing. so which do you guys think would be the better option? is there really a big different between the 2? just looking for some opinions here, thanks guys....

**blkyukon** · 03-24-2008, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by gary69

hey guys i know i dont post much over here but im getting ready to start getting my car back into summer mode and possibly making some money on the side detailing some friends' cars. so my question is what buffer do you guys think would be a better investment for the long run?my friend has the ultimate detailer buffer he got with the XMT intermediate swirl remover kit and he likes it but he really dosnt know what he is doing, i have ran a rotary buffer with a blue foam head before on my black car and it came out amazing. so which do you guys think would be the better option? is there really a big different between the 2? just looking for some opinions here, thanks guys....

If you are doing a couple cars a week you could get away with a PC or UDM. I wouldn't recommend a rotary though...a rotary with finishing pad is very easy to use, but using more aggressive pads and polishes they are harder to use and can cause some major damage rather quickly.

Now if you want more power and plan one doing it on the side this summer, I'd invest in a Flex XC 3401 (see review in my sig). It is more expensive than a PC or Rotary but it will cut your polishing time in half (from a PC) and is safer than a rotary.

Hope that helps!

**ScottB** · 03-24-2008, 05:01 PM

I suggest a Flex too ... cost being main concern.

**gary69** · 03-24-2008, 08:26 PM

the flex seems to be a really nice setup but i was hoping to stay under $400 for everything. buffer, compounds and waxes, pads and other accessories, do you guys think i can get everything setup with a flex for that price? i wouldn't go as far as a couple a week but maybe 5 a month. would a flex still be the best choice for me?

**ScottB** · 03-25-2008, 07:09 PM

if you are professionally detailing,you need to step to the Flex or a rotary. You will waste far to much time otherwise. I suggest a Flex, some Menzerna, and some pads. Should be mighty close to 400.00 and help you immesely.

**gary69** · 03-25-2008, 09:10 PM

ok, then ill look into the flex, im sorry to ask so many dumb questions but ive never bought any of this #### before, but what kind of pads/compounds do u guys recommend?

**Matt S.** · 03-26-2008, 11:51 AM

To start out, I'd recommend this pad kit:
Dual Action 6 inch XL Porter Cable 7424 Foam Pad Kit
Even though it says it's for the PC, it will indeed work well with the Flex DA polisher.

We are currently running close-out specials on Wolfgang and Pinnacle polishes, so be sure to check them out!

Save with these special values and sale prices on Autogeek car care products and kits! Close Out Prices

**ScottB** · 03-26-2008, 06:47 PM

or you can always go with my favs .... Menzerna SIP and 106FF

**blkyukon** · 03-26-2008, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

or you can always go with my favs .... Menzerna SIP and 106FF

1997 Land Rover Before

SIP/LC orange pad + 106ff/LC white pad + Flex Xc 3401 = After

**gary69** · 06-10-2008, 01:08 PM

ok well i know i started this thread a while ago but now im back with more money and im ready to buy some stuff for the summer.....i see the UDM is gone so im thinking the flex will be the better machine.....i was looking at some foam pad kits (both the regular kind and the double sided vented ones) but im still not sure on what kind of polishes/ waxes to get... how many different steps do i need to buy? like heavy medium, fine and then some waxes? or what? plz help..lol....