Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

High speed buffer

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #1  
bixTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Ft.Wayne IN
Default High speed buffer

I am looking to buy a high speed polisher/buffer. I was just wondering which one you guys think is the best? I know a couple of brands are milwalkee, dewalt,and porter cable. need your opinions please.

thanks
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 01:50 PM
  #2  
ricethis's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Default

dewalt is great. been using them for years, great speed range and durability....
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 02:25 PM
  #3  
Brian2006's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (42)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 0
From: Tomball/Nacogdoches TX
Default

Porter Cable hands down. Mainly because of the dual action part.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2007 | 02:10 PM
  #4  
GoFast908Z's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

Start with the Porter Cable 7424 first. Get comfortable with a dual action buffer before you go to a rotary! Rotary is NOT for novices. Good luck to you though.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2007 | 04:54 PM
  #5  
Steve P's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by bixTA
I am looking to buy a high speed polisher/buffer. I was just wondering which one you guys think is the best? I know a couple of brands are milwalkee, dewalt,and porter cable. need your opinions please.

thanks
Is your purpose of the rotary to buff after wet sanding to remove orange peel or addressing deeper scratches?

I personally have the Makita 9227C. Found it for about $179.00 shipped last year. I feel its a bit lighter and less cumbersome compared to the Dewalt 847.

You can learn the capabilities of buffing/polishing first by using the Porter Cable or UDM. You can not burn the clear coat with either of these machines.

However, the rotary performance is completely different, creates more heat, cutting action, and much more dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 05:48 PM
  #6  
bixTA's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Ft.Wayne IN
Default

im looking for one that will remove spider webbing,and just light scratches in the clear.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 06:01 PM
  #7  
LS1BLKSS's Avatar
Banned Village Idiot
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim,CA
Default

Originally Posted by ricethis
dewalt is great. been using them for years, great speed range and durability....
+1 ... you can get one for about 170 new its a very good buffer!!! if you know how to use it!
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 06:02 PM
  #8  
LS1BLKSS's Avatar
Banned Village Idiot
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim,CA
Default

Originally Posted by Steve@Tropi-Care
Is your purpose of the rotary to buff after wet sanding to remove orange peel or addressing deeper scratches?

I personally have the Makita 9227C. Found it for about $179.00 shipped last year. I feel its a bit lighter and less cumbersome compared to the Dewalt 847.

You can learn the capabilities of buffing/polishing first by using the Porter Cable or UDM. You can not burn the clear coat with either of these machines.

However, the rotary performance is completely different, creates more heat, cutting action, and much more dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.
what would you use to color sand a black factory paint job?.... 2000?
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 Dec 19, 2007 | 06:13 PM
  #9  
GoFast908Z's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

Originally Posted by bixTA
im looking for one that will remove spider webbing,and just light scratches in the clear.

Then the Porter Cable will meet your needs.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 06:56 PM
  #10  
Steve P's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by LS1BLKSS
what would you use to color sand a black factory paint job?.... 2000?
My personal opinion is unless you are going to turn your car into a show car for indoor purposes only, I wouldn't recommend wet sanding. Good luck on your project.

Using 1500 or 2000 is suitable for leveling the clearcoat to rid the surface of scratches and orange peel. I typically defer this type of job to pros who do this everyday.

Unfortunately stock clear coats finishes may not be thick enough to tolerate much, if any, wetsanding without future adverse results.

Here is a measurement on a stock '06 GTO prior to any detail work. The average thickness on today's paint finishes is about 6.5 mils(1 mil=1/1000 inch) which includes primer, color and clearcoat. That's about the thickness of 2 sheets of paper.

Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 07:02 PM
  #11  
Steve P's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

I had this wet sanded in '98.

Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 09:12 AM
  #12  
Fast_94_Z's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 0
From: carol stream illinois
Default

start with a dual action porter cable. i have both a porter cable and a dewalt. the dewalt is awesome for color sanding and taking texture out but for your every day detail i love the porter cable.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 11:24 AM
  #13  
LS1BLKSS's Avatar
Banned Village Idiot
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim,CA
Default

i see now... i guess i won't wet sand my car yet! lol until i get another paint job
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 12:28 PM
  #14  
ArcticZ28's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,125
Likes: 4
From: Alexandria, VA
Default

Try out the PC7424 and learn how to really use it. Then, figure out if you still want to wet sand. A lot of people default to the "I need to wet sand my car" when actually all they need to do is research what products and tools can get them what they're looking for without having to do that.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you need any help. I've been using mine for a while now and can give you feedback about many products and practices.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 01:56 PM
  #15  
DopdBrd's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
From: Garden City, KS
Default

Porter Cable, just used mine last night and I still love that thing.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 05:30 PM
  #16  
2002BlackSS's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor, Fl
Default

I've used my dad's (who was a pro) Makita, but it's old and busted, so I've been considering if I should go with a new Makita or the PC. I'm certainly not a pro, but I do know how to use a rotary.

For rotarys I know that Makita is a good one, and I assume the Dewalt would also be good, but for your use, I'd probably agree that the PC would do the job.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 06:25 PM
  #17  
GoFast908Z's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

Hitachi is a really good one, has a progressive trigger and isn't very heavy.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:20 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