Bear2Day

My walmart special broke on me after three months. What would you guys recomend? I do Two cars a week. I have a small hand buffer for just the windows. I don`t want any thing that can burn paint. But it has to have enouth power for lots of wax!

Thanks, again !

TL_Diplomat

go to home depot, we have a special on Ryobi buffers, not sure how it is in GA. In NJ they are on sale

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I just bought the Ryobi 6" orbital/random buffer with a case and 2 bonnets @ Home Depot for $19.97. Works great so far. I bought a Vector without a case for $29.99 @ Pepboys and I think its broke? Wiggles and it crooked. I haven't used it and its going back. The Ryobi seams much nicer for $10 less and has a case.

jlspeed29

i too am in the market for a buffer, what do i need? can someone give me a checklist?
i want to make sure i buy all the right things!

exceldetail

Im tellin ya, a UDM or PC, and your set for years............If you look at amps you will find the PC variety much more powerful.

SQUEEZY83

I have to agree with exceldetail a pc (porta cable) is the way to go. I occassionally detail cars to get some xtra money now and then but I purchased this for my own car and it works awesome. I beleive this will be the last DA that I have to purchase. If your talking about detailing two cars a week this will take the abuse and last you a long time. just my 2 cents.

stogie1020

Nah.... Spend $30 every three to six months on the cheapo-buffers until you COULD have bought a PC with the amount of money you spent, and THEN buy the PC anyway. Nothing like learning the hard way.

I hear NuFinish works well, too!







Edit: Someone pissed in my cheerios this morning. Sorry.

Hawhyen51

The majority of the regulars who post often prefer a Porter Cable (PC) 7424/7336 Dual Action buffer or the new Ultimate Detail Machine (UDM). The buffer you're referring to is limited to applying and removing a product and nothing more. The max orbits per minute (OPM) is 3200 depending on the model and up to 6000 for the PC. It will have either one or two speeds vs the PC's variable speed setting. The PC/UDM is a more versatile machine allowing the user to choose from a variety of pads for buffing to paint correction and the results will be consistent every time. The tool is foolproof and simple to use and there are a number of tutorials available online demonstrating its simplicity and effectiveness. Any damage to paint is usually user incurred or initiated and will not burn paint. Granted, it's more expensive than a $30-70 buffer, but the investment in the long run will pay for itself. Visit any of the other detailing forums and you'll probably read the same comments.





The upper left is a PC and the UDM is on the right. The Waxmaster pictured on the right is a 10" 2 Speed buffer and the Ryobi is a 6" buffer.

exceldetail

Well said!!

Hawhyen51

If one decides to purchase a dual action buffer i.e. PC or UDM you will need some additional equipment:

• Backing Plate (BP) either a 5" or 6" flexible and lightweight w/hook & loop (velcro) to ensure proper adhesion. UDM comes equipped with 5" BP
• Foam Pads for polishing/correcting surface defects and finishing pads for final polishing and sealant application. They are available in different colors to indicate their abrasiveness and can be purchased separately or as a kit.
  Colors include Yellow (medium cut), Orange (light Cut), White (light polishing), Green (application of cleaner waxes), Black (light maintenance), Blue & Red (no cut, application of liquid sealants and waxes). UDM comes with a white pad.
• MF Towels for product removal
• MF Bonnets for final buffing

If I missed something or something said in error, feel free to jump in . . .

DIRTY K

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpol-kit.html

This is what I bought,

Also

Sonus Claybar with Glyde detail lubricant.
Sonus SFX 1 polish- big scratches, bad swirls, use with yellow pad.. not sure how bad ur paint is.
SFX-2 polish - it's pretty mild, minor swirls from washing, etc. use with white pad
Sonus Paintwork cleanser (included in kit) very mild for prepping for Klasse.
Klasse All In one acrylic "wax"- as the final step or even Klasse sealant glaze on top of the Klasse all in one.

Wash it, dry it, clay it, either SFX 1 or SFX 2 or paintwork cleanser( always use the least aggressive product to get the results you want) with Klasse All in one and even Klasse sealant glaze on top of that.

The results are amazing and last months when done correctly and it's actually a lot of fun. I use the all in one on my wheels as well.

I went to the carwash yesterday, gave it a spray, and since I'm sick I didn't feel like drying so I went home and parked it. I think the Klasse helped sheet the water off the paint, because there isn't ANY waterspots on the car today.

Have fun

DIRTY K

Their prices are higher than other online places, but most of the others are sold out and backordered anyways.

Hawhyen51

What other sites did you check? Autogeek has this kit and Proper Auto Care has this one. Products are usually a separate purchase although a few sites have kits that include them. I believe Canada levies a tax (?) on items imported from the US so it must have cost you some $$. Happy detailing.

ReD-BaRoN

Hawhyen, what's the difference between the 7424 and the 7336? I need one of these badboys fast, and if the 7336 is OTC, I need to get that one.

lusid

PC 7336
* 6-inch variable speed random orbit sander
* 3.7 amp motor; 2,500 to 6,000 rpm; right-angled gearing system
* Rugged, durable plastic housing
* Includes sander, abrasive sheet, side handle, manual
* 14 by 6-1/2 by 6 inches; 5.8 pounds; 1-year warranty

PC 7424
* 6-inch variable-speed random-orbit polisher; 2,500-6,000 rpm
* 3.7 amp motor for efficient polishing; converts to five-inch polisher with optional pad
* Rugged plastic casing; 100-percent ball bearing construction for durability
* Includes polisher, 6-inch polishing pad; wrench
* Measures 14 by 6-1/2 by 6 inches; 8-1/2 pounds; 1-year warranty

Hawhyen51

Both the 7336 and the 7424 are identical as previously stated. The one difference is the counterweight (CW). The 7336 is equipped with a #6 CW (for 6 in. backing plates (BP) while the 7424 comes with a #5 CW for a 5 in. BP. The CW is basically a counterbalance to smooth out the oscillations while spinning. As far as OTC, Lowe's used to carry the 7336 but unfortunately not a stock item anymore. Best bet is to order from an online vendor like Coastal Tool or any of the online detailing sites. You can also search the internet using Porter Cable 7424. Another one to look at is the Ultimate Detailing Machine (UDM) which is as Exceldetail puts it, "A PC on steroids".

lusid

Hawhyen, I was watching some Youtube vids on the PC.

Heard the noise level of the PC, and whats the difference between the UDM / PC in noise levels?

Hawhyen51

Patrick and Jess can answer that one. I couldn't tell you cause I haven't used the UDM, just the PC and I use ear plugs so not really a problem with me. So far my PC has been holding up and maybe next year I'll get one . . . Sorry!

exceldetail

Its no more then any standard household corded peice of equipment. (Except a Skill saw, which out decipals it, lol)

Vicman17

Concur!

You'll feel sorry you bought that cheapo buffer that you WILL find useless compared to the Porter Cable DA polisher. I know I did. I have a 7-inch Black and Decker and a 10-inch Symoniz that were collecting dust on the shelves so I just gave them away. Money I should have spent getting pads and pads and pads! (I Just tried CCS pads and they ROCK!!! ). Once you see the capabilities of the DA polisher, you'll start to wonder why you ever did without it.

husker1

wow, for some odd reason, I do not think I can convince my CFO that I need to spend that money on the car right now. Of course it probably would help if I actually had the time to actually do it the right way.

Vicman17

Sometimes you will find a "7336 SP" which is the same machine but Porter Cable classifies as a Sander-Polisher for woodwork and may come with a velcro sanding pad. This is the same machine and all you need is the 5" backing plate and a good pad set to start.

So far, my 'arsenal' includes:

PC 7424
PC 7336 SP
5" velcro backing plate
3.5" spot backing plate
Sonus DAS 6" pad set (Yellow, Orange, White and Blue)
Sonus SFX 4" Spot pad set (Yellow, Orange, 2 White, Blue and Black)
Lake Country CCS pad set (Orange, White, Black, Blue)
Sonus MF 6" buffing bonnet

Simoniz variable speed Rotary Polisher
6" backing plates
7" Pads (Orange, White)

I just wait for sales and have built it up over time (and still building).
This OCD keeps me away from the bars (That's what I tell my CFO, in my case my RSM (Residential Sergeant-Major) so I get away with buying stuff that I need (and want).