I know this topic has been covered many, many times, but bare with me now.

I always wanted a buffer since I got into cars, but I didn't buy one because of weather in Seattle. I didn't think it was worth a buy when weather is so nasty over in Seattle, but now that I moved back to California, I have been thinking about getting one for myself.

I know there are tons buffers out there to pick from, but what do you guys recommend? Any personal recommendation?

I'm not trying to over spent on buffer right so the budget is from $150-200 range.

let me know,

Make sure to provide me the Brand/Model and link!

Thanks much!

 

You say its been covered many times .. then you already know the answer .


Seach is your friend .

 

pc by udm....

 

PC or UDM as stated with your budget. For around $280 I say buy a Flex XC 3401. Keep in mind you need pads, backing plates, polishes etc no matter which buffer you get

 

really? I didn't know that. GTFO.

 

hmm...

PC 7424 going for $109
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm

or

UDM going for $174.99
http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/s...5098&pd=299296

Which one do you guys recommend? I know they both gets the job done, but trying to figure it out what's the best bang for the buck.

Since PC 7424 is only $109, I am leaning towards PC, but if you guys think UDM is definitely worth $80 more then I'm willing to switch over.

 

get the pc from costal, its the same exact machine as the new udm by pc...

 

^^ I also noticed how they looked the same.

Why is there price differences if they are the "same" thing?

 

Because one includes polishing pads and towels .. and a better backing plate but machine wise its the same.

 

So, you are saying it's better to get UDM over PC? At the end, do I save more money by getting UDM?

 

The PC and the UDM are the same machine function & power wise.

My preference was to buy the PC then buy a yellow and a couple of white pads to go with it .

Then your still going to need polishes etc.

If you buy the PC from coastal . you will need to buy pads and polishes else where.

If you buy the UDM buy PC from Excel ( $149) you can add the pads you want and the polishes you want and maybe have lower shipping .


Why not sit down and calculate the machine you want .. the pads you want .. the polishes you want ... the sealant/wax you want bought from both sources then determing which is the best value.

 

I'm actually local to Excel.

I sure could calculate the whole thing myself, but only problem is that since I don't know jack about pads/polishes/sealant/wax, so I don't know which brand and type of pads/polishes/sealant/wax consider good and bad to pick from. I did dig up some old threads, but didn't do much. This is why I created my own thread so I get the EXACT answer that I need/want.

I only know few places where I can buy those pads, polish, and etc stuff.

chemicalguys
autopia
Excel

Another sites that you can recommend?

 

Your budget is a little on the low side. Try autogeek, they usually have decent prices and many discounts They also have good articles on how to detail.

I bought a pc a month ago from them, and got two orange pads, two white pads and and a black pad plus the better backing plate for $169 (free shipping). I also bought optimum polish, and meguiars synthetic sealant. I already had menzerna intensive polish.

You'll also need a clay bar kit, about another $15-$20.

There are many on here that know way more than me, but here's what I did:

Washed with Meguiars gold class
Clayed the car
Polish with menzerna intensive polish and orange pad
Polish with optimum and white pad
apply sealant by hand using a red pad.

 

I appreciate your help, will definitely look into it.

I already own clay bar and few other car detailing stuff, just missing buffer and pads.

 

Best thing is to call Patrick at Excel and ask for a package price on the UDM, 1 yellow pad , 1 or 2 white pads, 1 Optimum Compound ( or Hyper Compound cuz you can mix it with the Polish to reduce the cut ) , 1 Opt Polish and a sealant ... look at his site .. I think he still carrys Duragloss #105. See if that all fits in your budget .. Some of the other packages , and there is lots, include things you don't need and miss things you do.

Go to Costco and get a package of the yellow M/F towels for around $10.

 

I say just pick one and have at it. You still have to learn the machine so I don't think it really matters what you get at this point and so your bang for the buck isn't really a factor until you get those skills.

You also have to consider what you plan on doing with it. Are you just going to be taking care of your own car or others as well? Since I do this on the side as a business, I would have started with the Makita 9227C instead of the PC. The correction power difference between the two machines is huge.

Good luck in finding the machine that works for you.

 

since they are now the same machine, if you do decide to buy the udm by pc, it does come with a 1 year replacement warranty where as the pc comes with a limited warranty for a year...if your udm by pc burns out before the year they will just send you a new one, no questions asked....

 

S14, check here..............

 

I appreciate your help... I already own everything but the buffer and pads. I have been using MF towels for since I was in 2003, so I have shit load of them..



thanks!

This isn't going to be my first time using buffer. I borrowed my friend's and took auto detail class before so I know what I'm dealing with, but never had a chance to own my own.

Mainly using it for my car and my parents' car, but who knows...

 

good to know.

 

So... if you've used it before, taken auto detail classes and know what you're dealing with, wouldn't you know what you want then? I'm confused...

 

I took auto detailing class back in high school days...

My previous post was just give little info. that I used buffer before... never said that I KNOW everything about buffer.

 

Nice simple starter kit:

Exceldetail UDM/PC Polishing Kit with 1 @ Orange, White & Red pad. Comes with a couple of towels, and is ready to use right out of the box. The UDM/PC has an add'l White Pad.

Add Optimum polish for the Orange and 1 of the White Pads (use the other White Pad for OTC Meg's NXT 2.0 wax)

Add 1 4-Star UPP and use with the Red Pad.

All told ~$225-ish I think.

You can buy more stuff later.