Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

best buffer...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 07:14 AM
  #1  
Black FormulaLs1's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 1
From: cape vincent NY
Default best buffer...

i want to get a really really nice buffer for my 99 formy and my wifes 06 trailblazer..both vehicles are black...and i know mine is full of swirl marks and some scratches...and i want to keep her suv looking as good as possible too...so please can somebody out there give me an idea on what buffer/compounds are best? thanks
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 09:18 AM
  #2  
slowtealz28's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: S. JerZ
Default

Supposively Tropi-Care's 7424 Porter Cable provides some great results. I think a lot of guys use the TC-8 swirl cutter and the TC-3 Polisher. I've personally seen the results on a black car w/swirl damage and it turned out amazing. It will actually take away the swirls, rather than cover them up. I'm sure someone will chime in on what process they use and with which pads.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 09:33 AM
  #3  
Brian2006's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (42)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 0
From: Tomball/Nacogdoches TX
Default

The porter Cable isn't made my Tropi-Care but is by far the best buffer on the market. The Dual Action design Porter Cable 7424 is what I use and wouldn't purchase any other buffer
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 09:41 AM
  #4  
Gipraw's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Tx
Default

The PC is the best dual action orbital on the market .. I have tried almost all of them .. and it is my preferred tool ..

Call our sponsor, Tropi-care .. they have a summer long special going on the PC, and you can get everything else you need at the same time, pads, towels, backing plate, TC-8 , TC-3 ..

Talk to Steve .. he will hook you up with what you need.



http://www.tropi-care.com
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:18 AM
  #5  
Rich189's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Default

For a dual action you cant beat the PC but there is a new one thats supposedly slightly stronger called the ultimate detail machine i havent tried it yet but supposedly it vibrates less and is slightly more powerful...

As far as rotary polishers the best on the market is a metabo
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:24 AM
  #6  
Camaroholic's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 1
From: Waco, TX
Default

I have a PC 7424, it did an excellent job on my black '94Z. Got the yellow / orange / blue pads to go with it from Tropicare as well.

I also have a Makita variable speed rotary buffer. It's a lot more aggressive than the PC. The PC with a yellow pad has a hard time with 2000 grit scratches, the Makita with a wool pad can wipe them out in no time.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 06:39 PM
  #7  
Fast_94_Z's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 0
From: carol stream illinois
Default

yeah the PC is awesome. as for rotary buffers the makita i use to have one and i kept having premature bushing wear in the head causing the buffer to take a couple seconds to get to the set rpms. i have a old used snap on buffer that i got off the truck, which was made by dewalt(its black instead of yellow) and man the thing is amazing.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 07:07 PM
  #8  
Avengeance's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Default

I started out with a Porter Cable (PC7424)... once I became familiar with different polishes, paint characteristics, techniques, getting familiar with buffing in general, etc... I then moved to a Hitachi rotary and havent looked back. The only time I use my PC is when the area Im working on is too small for a rotary, in that case I use the PC with 4" spot buff pads.

I encourage everyone to use a PC for a while then when you feel confident move to a rotary. I waited about 8 months and detailing on just about every weekend before I bought my Hitachi. Just PLEASE for the love of god start out on a junk car or junk yard panel. lol

The rotary cuts the work time in half and the results are incredible.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 07:22 PM
  #9  
Shockwave179's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Default

I got a great deal on my Porter Cable 7424 at Lowes, and I love it that would be the one I recommend just as most people here already have.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 09:49 PM
  #10  
Pro-Mo's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Default

Makita. But only if you know what you are doing
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:23 PM
  #11  
osvaldo's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
From: houston
Default

I, like most, have a PC, i love it. It smooths down a lot of the scratches and makes waxing my car A LOT easier!!!! Especially after going over the car with a clay bar. The PC is definitely the way to go if you're a beginner. Like me.

I'm going to purchase a Vector Waxxpro 7in polisher soon, its 1/3 of the cost as the makita, hitachi, and dewalt polishers but they're supposed to be just as good.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:25 PM
  #12  
GoFast908Z's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Brian2006
The porter Cable isn't made my Tropi-Care but is by far the best buffer on the market. The Dual Action design Porter Cable 7424 is what I use and wouldn't purchase any other buffer
then you will be forever limited to moderate paint correction.

Take what Avengeance said. Start with the PC, take time, learn, practice....
Once you are ready, get a rotary. *START ON JUNKARD PANELS/CARS* In the wrong hands, the rotary will burn your paint very quickly.


I love my PC, and will hold onto it for a long time, but on harder clear coats (like GM) it is limited to how much correction it can do. The rotary far exceeds the PC's abilities. Unless a car has extremely light swirls, I always use my rotary.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:31 PM
  #13  
Gipraw's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Tx
Default

Originally Posted by Rich189
For a dual action you cant beat the PC but there is a new one thats supposedly slightly stronger called the ultimate detail machine i havent tried it yet but supposedly it vibrates less and is slightly more powerful...
I have used it several times., and much prefer the PC .. does a better job of cutting, in my opinion.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2007 | 10:46 PM
  #14  
Gipraw's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Tx
Default

I agree that a rotary is a much more powerful tool. it is quicker, and most times even easier to use than the PC ..

with that said .. the PC is my first tool of choice 90% of the time ..

I have been doing this a long time, and even though I can tell by looking that the PC won't cut it, I will still end up giving it a shot most times before I pull out the rotary (unless I am removing sanding marks or extremly heavy swirling) that way I know I am not taking a shortcut.

Why? because it follows the basic rule of thumb.. Always use the least agressive method possible to correct a defect. Just because I can fix it with a rotary, doesn't mean it is the best way to fix it.

I am not trying to attack anyone, or say that they are wrong or anything like that .. it is just my personal opinion .. I will do two passes with a PC instead of one with a rotary ..
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:23 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE