Random Orbital Buffers/Polishers

[Harvs82]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about getting a random orbital buffer/polisher for use when I am polishing the car. Just wondering what you guys think of them, any recommendations on what models etc, and what to look out for when using them. A mate of mine has just bought a Bosch one, and he says that it has made his ute look the best he has ever seen it.

Thanks guys

[V-ahhh]

i purchased a cheapy from autobarn and it works a treat

[253@7k]

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!

They all work about the same (cheap vs expensive) as long as you get the best pads money can buy. A mate of mine got a supercheap one and used it on his black supra. It scratched the shit out of it and he ended up having to get a full cut and polish done by a spray painter. Just a warning that if you get a cheap one replace the pad with a good one.

[Bluewildangel]

I got the one from supercheap works great
I also purchased extra polishing cloths that fit over the foam bit of the orbital made by kenco there basically the same as the ones you use to polish the car by hand cept for the orbital

[VTSSDUDE]

I found the orbitals a waste of time, I get better results using my bare hands. Unless there is a special way of using the orbitals?

[vlv8vic]

i used an orbital to get my camrys paint up to scratch when i baught it, it had began to oxidise (red). no amount of hand work wouldhave done the job the electric polished did.
having said that though, ive only ever hand polished since.
i figure if the duco is ok, hand polish it, if it needs alot of work go the spinner.

[Harvs82]

Thanks for all the info and opinions guys, please keep them coming!

Cheers

Harvs82

[chopsy]

So what polish are all you guys using with the orbitor polishers ? i got a rechargeable orbitor polisher from dick smiths about a year ago it works grouse if you put your hand on it and try and stop it spinnig you have no hope where i've seen some other one's that are crap and you can stop them with your hand.

[bradvt98]

i brought one from autobarn a few years back goes nice not sure of the brand but i know it's blue i mainly use it because when polishing or waxing as i do it there are tiny bits of polish or wax that don't come off or you may miss some and when the polish or wax builds up on the cloth it's harder to remove from the paint so using the fast spinning motion of the orbital it gets it off a treat with very little effort involved

that's mainly why i like it and i do notice a slight difference in shine than doing it all by hand

[Shounak]

I bought a cheap one for about $30 from Repco.. The thing works fine, I have only one problems..

The polishing cloths keep falling odd. I'm doing my absolute best to tie it on perfectly, but it still keeps bloody coming off..

I'm gonna buy a more high quality pad and give that a shot..

[minux]

hmm, i have never used a machine to polish, it is too easy to heat up and burn the paint. Best bet is too use a little bit of elbow grease

[Bax]

Swirl remover with the machine I hope, I really don't like seeing a car with big swirl marks all up and down from an orbital.

I go by hand with a good cloth and that way you get a feel for things alot more, you see if theres dirt, you pick up on things alot faster.

[Jecs]

hmm, i have never used a machine to polish, it is too easy to heat up and burn the paint. Best bet is too use a little bit of elbow grease

The Buffer Everyone is talking about doesnt spin fast enough to burn the paint (unless of course it was a very hot day and you sat on the one spot and pushing down on the buffer, but thats not how you buff a car). The buffers that look like an angle grinders will cook your paint for sure. The orbital buffer is user friendly for all ages. it spins at the right speed for you to control and to get your car looking mako. i also agree with Shounak, my damn cloths keep falling off.

Jecs

[minux]

The Buffer Everyone is talking about doesnt spin fast enough to burn the paint (unless of course it was a very hot day and you sat on the one spot and pushing down on the buffer, but thats not how you buff a car). The buffers that look like an angle grinders will cook your paint for sure. The orbital buffer is user friendly for all ages. it spins at the right speed for you to control and to get your car looking mako. i also agree with Shounak, my damn cloths keep falling off.

Jecs

Regardless, i wont use any machine on my paintwork

[Shounak]

Regardless, i wont use any machine on my paintwork

Hand the car over to a professional for a detail, they happily will..

I only use the buffer to buff off the wax. Apparently it can be used to apply it. But I apply the wax by hand and give it the "painted with a paintbrush" look..

The buffer makes it heaps easier to get it from there to shiny.. It can take half the time and then the hard to reach spots I do by hand..

[AirStrike]

Hand the car over to a professional for a detail, they happily will..

I only use the buffer to buff off the wax. Apparently it can be used to apply it. But I apply the wax by hand and give it the "painted with a paintbrush" look..

The buffer makes it heaps easier to get it from there to shiny.. It can take half the time and then the hard to reach spots I do by hand..

Thats why they are professionals, they do it for a living. Im a painter by trade, and just because someone uses the same equipment as me doesnt mean they will get the same finish.
I only even do my car by hand. I have seen to many cars with swirl marks on them to risk it.
AirStrike

[minux]

Thats why they are professionals, they do it for a living. Im a painter by trade, and just because someone uses the same equipment as me doesnt mean they will get the same finish.
I only even do my car by hand. I have seen to many cars with swirl marks on them to rish it.
AirStrike

Exactly, i could guarentee my finish on my paint is alot better than anyone who has used any machine on the car. Regardless of speed or anything they cause swirls and fine clearcoat scratches that show up slowly(when used by amateurs)

[Shounak]

Fair call.. I'm very gentle and confident it doesn't leave swirls on mine.. But to each their own..

What kind of painter btw? As in sprayer or brush kind of painter?

[AirStrike]

Fair call.. I'm very gentle and confident it doesn't leave swirls on mine.. But to each their own..

What kind of painter btw? As in sprayer or brush kind of painter?

LOL! Not automotive im residential/industrial champ.
AirStrike

[Shounak]

Oh awesome.. I've got a few questions for ya champ...

I'm about to paint my room, which is currently peach (read: pink).. I'm about to paint my walls blue.. Is there any sanding or prep work involved other then cleaning the walls?

Do I need any basecoats/primer or whatever? Or just whack on the paint with the roller?

Cheers

[minux]

Oh awesome.. I've got a few questions for ya champ...

I'm about to paint my room, which is currently peach (read: pink).. I'm about to paint my walls blue.. Is there any sanding or prep work involved other then cleaning the walls?

Do I need any basecoats/primer or whatever? Or just whack on the paint with the roller?

Cheers

But pink suits you sooooo well Shounak

[Shounak]

But pink suits you sooooo well Shounak

Being in something pink suits me.. That's where it ends..

[AirStrike]

Oh awesome.. I've got a few questions for ya champ...

I'm about to paint my room, which is currently peach (read: pink).. I'm about to paint my walls blue.. Is there any sanding or prep work involved other then cleaning the walls?

Do I need any basecoats/primer or whatever? Or just whack on the paint with the roller?

Cheers

Do you want to do it right, or you want to do it how 95% of people do it?
Sand the whole lot down with 240-320 grit paper. Then dust the walls down. Now getting some sugar soap wash it all down then rinse with clean water.
If its a pale colour 2 coats straight over the top will be fine. If its darker might need a coat of acrylic sealer/ undercoat first.
Easiest way to tell is when you are choosing colours you should get a sample pot so you can see the colour in the same light as you will have, if the sample pot covers fine with 2 coats your sweet.
AirStrike

[Shounak]

Is there much difference between not sanding it and whacking the paint right over and doing the proper job of sanding down, dusting and cleaning with sugar soap?

Like with a car it's obviously mandatory..

Do you think it's definitely worth sanding down?

[AirStrike]

Is there much difference between not sanding it and whacking the paint right over and doing the proper job of sanding down, dusting and cleaning with sugar soap?

Like with a car it's obviously mandatory..

Do you think it's definitely worth sanding down?

Im a painter by trade.......wat do you think
Painting a wall is no different then to a car. The previous coat of paint has dried to a hard, smooth finish so the next coat isnt going to stick to that as well as someting that is mildly abraided.
Its up to you. If it is my house I always sand..........if its a job for a 'boy you must do for my cheaper one' no sanding.
AirStrike