1 inch cordless DA polisher - Best bang for buck.

[losh1971]

Yeah, I'm not wanting to spend much on a DA when I have a rotary that does a fairly decent job. I don't have any other Ryobi gear besides the 240v polisher. A DA would be better but if I need to spend big dollars I will pay to have someone else do the job. For example a bonnet buff is only $100. I can use my rotary with the wool pad on wax after I let it get nice and dry and it comes up mint.

So really more curious if it's worth throwing $109 at a DA when I have what I have? I'm of the thinking right now that investing in a cheap DA, I might as well stick with what I have as a cheap DA is just a waste of money, yeah??

It comes down to that I also have to factor in my time cost. And if my time is worth say $50 an hour, and spend 2hrs on a bonnet and $600-$700 on a DA, then I'm better off just paying someone and use my precious spare time to save money elsewhere.

 

[losh1971]

Can anyone tell me if I used a thick wool pad and quickly run over my dried wax to shine it, am I removing most of the wax I've applied? According to YouTube I have been using a cutting pad of the heaviest sorts. But I'm just running it over dry really quickly to shine up the wax, rather than try to laboriously shine it with a towel, which I do last of all anyway.

 

[lmoengnr]

Can anyone tell me if I used a thick wool pad and quickly run over my dried wax to shine it, am I removing most of the wax I've applied? According to YouTube I have been using a cutting pad of the heaviest sorts. But I'm just running it over dry really quickly to shine up the wax, rather than try to laboriously shine it with a towel, which I do last of all anyway.

Don't let the panel get too warm or you will remove the wax.
Try and find a microfiber bonnet to cover the wool pad.

 

[losh1971]

Don't let the panel get too warm or you will remove the wax.
Try and find a microfiber bonnet to cover the wool pad.

Cool, the wool pad is a tie on one. Its really thick. Basically all I do is skim over the surface to shine the wax. It doesn't get a chance to warm the paint. Am I still going to remove much wax? It does still bead really well.

 

[losh1971]

Is there any such thing as a microfibre screw on pad? I haven't seen them at the paint supplies or any auto stores. That would be perfect if I can buy one somewhere.

 

[lmoengnr]

Is there any such thing as a microfibre screw on pad? I haven't seen them at the paint supplies or any auto stores. That would be perfect if I can buy one somewhere.

Plenty of different sized microfiber pads around that have Velcro backing, just need a rotary backing plate of the right size and opposite Velcro backing.

 

[losh1971]

Might have a sticky at Autobarn and see if they have any of these Velcro mounts and buffing pads.

 

[lmoengnr]

Might have a sticky at Autobarn and see if they have any of these Velcro mounts and buffing pads.

My local Autobarn has Meguiars microfiber pads.

 

[panhead]

https://www.waxit.com.au/collections/car-buffing-pads



The wool pads are graded just like other pads and can be very abrasive through to polishing, it depends on which pad you have.

An abrasive pad will mar the clear coat or even worse, cut through it.







.

 

[losh1971]

My local Autobarn has Meguiars microfiber pads.

Had a look today and so does mine. I will wait until they come on sale as I'd be up for around $75 or more for the mount and a polishing pad.
I've just gone to use my polisher and it's only working on two speeds, stop and flat out.

Attempting to buff wax by feathering the trigger and it's only working so well. Can't do the edges and panel joins because it flys like a helicopter and I need slow,.... I wished I'd grabbed that cheap DA now.