What's the best route to go for polishing and waxing a car. I see
three possibilities at Harbor Freight (as an example). A 10" random
orbit polisher/buffer for $20 that looks like a direct drive single
speed vertical motor, a $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher that
has a horizontal motor and gearbox and a $60 dual action 6" variable
speed polisher that has a horizontal motor and gearbox.

I was under the impression that non-orbital's created a greater risk
of burning the paint. I had a 10" like described above years ago and
it was worthless in that it had no power. Anyone have any feedback? I
was going to get the $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher but then
hesitated due to the possibility of paint burn.

On Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:03:49 -0700, Ashton Crusher
wrote:

What's the best route to go for polishing and waxing a car. I see
three possibilities at Harbor Freight (as an example). A 10" random
orbit polisher/buffer for $20 that looks like a direct drive single
speed vertical motor, a $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher that
has a horizontal motor and gearbox and a $60 dual action 6" variable
speed polisher that has a horizontal motor and gearbox.

I was under the impression that non-orbital's created a greater risk
of burning the paint. I had a 10" like described above years ago and
it was worthless in that it had no power. Anyone have any feedback? I
was going to get the $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher but then
hesitated due to the possibility of paint burn.

I have a very old polisher/grinder/buffer. Knowing how to handle it
is/was a lesson..I can handle it.

Buy an orbital polisher from an auto supply place.

On Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:03:49 -0700, Ashton Crusher
wrote:

What's the best route to go for polishing and waxing a car. I see
three possibilities at Harbor Freight (as an example). A 10" random
orbit polisher/buffer for $20 that looks like a direct drive single
speed vertical motor, a $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher that
has a horizontal motor and gearbox and a $60 dual action 6" variable
speed polisher that has a horizontal motor and gearbox.

I was under the impression that non-orbital's created a greater risk
of burning the paint. I had a 10" like described above years ago and
it was worthless in that it had no power. Anyone have any feedback? I
was going to get the $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher but then
hesitated due to the possibility of paint burn.


Orbital is the right one but Oren is correct... knowing how to handle
it is the key or you will burn the paint regardless what you have in
your hands.

On Feb 22, 8:03*pm, Ashton Crusher wrote:
What's the best route to go for polishing and waxing a car.

By hand.

If you mean to also "buff out" the paint, that's not something you
want to learn by trial and error, or from someone who doesn't -really-
know what they're doing. Burning paint happens so fast you won't
believe your eyes.

I have no experience with/knowledge of orbital buffers, but the idea
doesn't impress me.

If the paint is dark you'll probably end up needing "swirl remover",
too, and that's no picnic either.

For the novice, the hard way is the easy way.
---

- gpsman

Ashton Crusher wrote:
What's the best route to go for polishing and waxing a car. I see
three possibilities at Harbor Freight (as an example). A 10" random
orbit polisher/buffer for $20 that looks like a direct drive single
speed vertical motor, a $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher that
has a horizontal motor and gearbox and a $60 dual action 6" variable
speed polisher that has a horizontal motor and gearbox.

I was under the impression that non-orbital's created a greater risk
of burning the paint. I had a 10" like described above years ago and
it was worthless in that it had no power. Anyone have any feedback? I
was going to get the $30 non-orbital variable speed polisher but then
hesitated due to the possibility of paint burn.

Suppose to be good to use orbital. I've used a cheap non orbital so much.
Buffed a few car lacquer jobs, sanded many square feet of bondo. Buffing
clear coat is not a good idea to do unless it's really bad. The less you
polish clear coat, the better off you are. Any time I do serious polishing,
I also add drops of water.

Seems like an orbital would be hard to use on strong curves.

Greg