I am thinking about buying a car buffer instead of having to detail the car manually. Anyone have any recommendations on good car buffers? I am not looking to spend alot. Also do you guys use buffers on your cars?

 

On my previous vehicle I buffed it many many times with a 10 inch orbital buffer that I purchased at walmart for 20 bucks. Works just as good as the Craftsman 10in orbital buffer my friend used and spent 100 dollars on.

I used it on the CL to wax it twice, but recently switched to Zaino so I cant use it anymore .. gotta do the zaino by hand.

oh and after about 30 minutes or so of buffing your hands and arms will start to itch from all the vibration .. you'll see what I mean

 

Go to detailersparadise.com Pick up the Porter Cable 7336 Bundle.....its the best buffer I've ever used and the kit comes with everything you'd ever need for $230. I used it on my mom's 3 year old RL that has been waxed once and it made the paint look new! It a random orbital buffer (so it won't burn the paint) with the speed of a rotary (which can burn the paint)....check out my thread in the detailing section....its everything you need to know.

 

ive always heard not use an orbital buffer?

 

excuse me, its random orbital. my lazyness didnt feel like typing random

 

porter cable buffer is all i ever hear about. I don't own one personally though.

 

I have the PC7336 myself and find it's extremely safe and easy to use on almost any paint condition. I picked it up at Lowe's for $109 and then bought a CMA Pad Kit from properautocare.com for about $60. It came with 1 6" flexible velcro backing plate, 1 yellow cutting pad, 1 white polishing pad, 1 grey finishing pad, and some bonnets. I also threw on an extra yellow pad so I wouldn't have to clean one while switching compound/polish products. The velcro system is perfect and makes changing pads a breeze. The results will speak for themself the first time you use it... and in half the time it probably normally takes you to detail the car. Plus if you get the PC7336 instead of the 7424, it can double as an orbital sander straight out of the box

 

PC is the best and safest....

 

I have the PC, absolutely love it.

 

I have a PC also. Best investment ever!! all the others that you can get in a auto parts store is pretty much crap.

 

I've read so much about this, concensus comes down to, if it's not the Porter Cable Orbital it's not what you want.

 

There are other brands like mikita and dewalt. But basically PorterCable is the prefered by 9 detailers out of 10 that use machines. lol sounds like a toothpaste commerical.

 

IMHO, Doing it by hand gives a better shine unless you do it like twice+ by machine.

 

I used to think that way also. But I am a believer now.

 

What's the difference between the PC7424 and the 7336?

 

Pretty much all the PC orbitals are the same machine wise. The model numbers are different due to the accessories that you get. I recommend getting one with a 6" counter weight and get velcro pads.

 

it is my understanding the mikita and dewalt are not random orbital though

 

The difference is that the PC7424 comes with a 5" counterweight and the 5" backing plate w/ permanently attached polishing pad. The PC7336 comes with a 6" counterweight and the same 5" polishing pad plate as the 7424. It also comes with another backing plate for sandpaper. Most people end up buying a velcro 6" backing plate to use with 6" velcro foam pads. It it widely agreed that in order to cut down on excessive vibration at high speeds, a 6" backing plate requires a 6" counterweight. So long story short, the 7336 saves you from having to buy the larger counterweight, and gives you a free sanding plate if you ever need it. I guess it just depends what kind of deal you can find for either PC... and which will be cheaper when all the extras you need are purchased.

 

You can get the random orbital sanders like the Portercables and attach hook and loop pads to them.

 

I was looking at the PC7424 at www.CoastalTool.com. Its supposed to come with a 6" counter-weight, 6" Hook & Loop (Velcro) Contour Backing Pad, and a 6" Foam Polishing Pad, for $119 + shipping. Anyone know of a better deal?

Also if i guy the 7424 how expensive is it to convert for use as a sander? I'm thinking of ordering this today or tomorrow.

thanks..

 

Coastal Tool is the best place to buy it as it is cheap and includes vital extras.

 

what about polishing pads? what's a good place to buy those? And which ones??

thanks..

 

You can get them from lots of places
http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/ for megs ones
http://www.pakshak.com/ for Lake country

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ for bunch of different ones.

Prices on those sites I would say is normal, but service is good and I ordered from them with good experience. I would recommend maybe different pads depending on how bad ur paint is. polishing is a must at least. You u have bad paint put a cutting pad. Some like applicators ones which also work well. I also recommend 1-2 of them in case u drop them etc. U can do research on these sites because they give info on them.