Polishing kit recommendation?

[SSSnail]

I'm a DIY kinda guy, and I do enjoy polishing my cars sometimes, with a beer or three. But lately, I haven't the time, nor the patience to do them by hand any longer.

So I started looking at something with power, perhaps a buffer that's good enough for a weekend polishing/waxing every now and then. Something that I can find consumables for fairly easy, things such as pads should not be proprietary.

I'm not looking for professional tools, just something that's of decent quality that will speed up the process. Any recommendations?

 

[Meghan54]

How much do you want to spend?

This one has had very good reviews, isn't expensive and works darned well. But it's not as "smooth" operating as some others--vibration, weight, etc. I've been using one for a few years, mostly to restore faded gelcoat on boats.

http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-...ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1434453052&sr=1-2



There are better, but the cost rises. It'll be a bit quieter, less "buzzy" in your hands when using it, like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO6040...=1434452556&sr=1-14&keywords=orbital+polisher



In either case, you buy a Velco backed flex plate, like this (other brands exist, like Meguiar's):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0020K0DJG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00



Then you buy whatever pad you want, like these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Y774?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009902YHO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00


I'm sure there are other orbital buffers out there the equal or better than the examples I've given.

 

[SSSnail]

Thanks, Meghan. I don't want to spend more than a few hundred bucks. Do you have any recommendations for DA buffers? Or is there a DA backing I can buy?

Wait, the porter cable one is DA isn't it? Says random orbit.

 

[NutBucket]

Random Orbit and DA are basically the same. The 7424 is a great tool.

 

[QueBert]

Thanks, Meghan. I don't want to spend more than a few hundred bucks. Do you have any recommendations for DA buffers? Or is there a DA backing I can buy?

Wait, the porter cable one is DA isn't it? Says random orbit.

A lot of detailers love the Harbor Freight DA, with $20 off you can get it for like $60. It's basically on par with the Porter Cable for half the price. Get it, plus a good backing plate and some nice pads and you'll be set. If you want something else

http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434483740&sr=8-1&keywords=gg6

More power and smoother for less than the Porter Cable.

this is a great backing plate

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-w67da-5-inch-backing-plate.html


these are great pads

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-5-inch-da-foam-discs-3pk.html

 

[razel]

If you have a corded power drill, I highly recommend the $40-50 Meguiar's Power Dual Action drill attachment. Even if you don't have a power drill, you can pick up a cheap $20 Black and Decker. You can use a cordless drill, but you may not have enough battery power to do your whole car. I've tried and have best results with a corded drill. Spun faster, longer and got work done quickly.

When you buy you'll see that they sell kits. The drill attachment usually comes with the wax, but they do sell polishing/compounding pads and liquids together. Hard to go wrong and is readily available at Pep Boys/Walmart.