Buffer questions.

[Kal]

I've decided to buy a buffer to use on my car but i don't know much about them. I'v found a 10 inch buffer at sears with a bucket and some pads and cloths for 40 dollars. I think it is orbital. Are there any features I should look for or anything in general i need to know before i get one? Is there any advantage at to having a 6 inch rather then a 10 inch buffer. This is the buffer i looked at. 10 inch $39.99 Buffer 6 Inch Buffer Or should i look somewhere else?

[SilverChrome03]

I use this one with great results:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortmen...#special_offer

I used to have a six inch buffer. But i found that thew motor was not strong enough to removew wax/polish effectively.

The one i'm using now (above) does a great job. A lot of people swear by the one by Porter Cable polisher, but it significantly more expensive.

Take a look at my homepage for shiny car pics.

Bob

[foodmanry]

While the porter cable is more expensive it does a significant better job than other buffers. The 10-inch orbitals are really only decent for applying and removing wax. They don't do much for polishes or cleaners. In my opinion the porter cable is worth the money. Its virtually idiot proof (wont harm the finish) and it works amazingly well.

[Bluesbrekr]

Originally posted by foodmanry
While the porter cable is more expensive it does a significant better job than other buffers. The 10-inch orbitals are really only decent for applying and removing wax. They don't do much for polishes or cleaners. In my opinion the porter cable is worth the money. Its virtually idiot proof (wont harm the finish) and it works amazingly well.

The Porter Cable, although about $120, is worth the money.

[endus]

The *overwhelming consensus is that the Porter Cable is the best buffer for home detailers. Very safe, very effective...definitely worth the extra money.

[Bman]

Originally posted by SilverChrome03
I use this one with great results:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortmen...#special_offer

I've seen that very model too.... I was searching for a machine polisher last year, and saw this on sale for $80 (Cdn) and although it was reasonably powerful (2.6 amps I think), it was HUGE and so is the 10" pad. Also, you're limited to 2 speeds and not terribly fast ones at that. I passed.

Even though the Porter Cable is significantly more expensive to buy & equip, I just couldn't bring myself to "cheap out" this time simply because all these other machines simply had too many compromises. Some were too bulky, none were both fast AND powerful, speed settings were limited, etc, etc. I finally came to conclude that the Porter Cable polisher was almost a perfectly adapted animal for the job we need. (I say "almost" because its baseball bat-like body makes for a poor grip if you have smaller hands.) Smaller pads about 6" in size are handier IMO because they can do smaller areas than the big 8" or 10" pads can.

It's great if you enjoy detailing and think you'll continue to do it over the years. It's a big sweat saver, and is the closest thing to a circular polisher us hobbyists can use while only half-awake.