Recommend me a machine polisher

muddle84

As the subject suggests. How much easier does it make polishing and more importantly waxing the car?

How much should I pay for one considering it will only be for personal use?

Curran

Are you confusing a machine polisher (for correction of paintwork) and a buffer (to remove the effort doing it by hand)

Two totally different machines, usages, and prices.

muddle84

It would appear I am as I thought they were one in the same except change the heads for different functions???

Educate me!!!

Curran

Buffer



To aid removing polish, wax, sealant or glazes applied to the paintwork. Awkward enough to use, but they take a bit of the effort required during buffing by hand

Dual Action Machine Polisher




Rotary Machine Polisher


Machine polisher is used to do correction of paintwork, using various pads and polish.

Difference between Rotary and DA
The rotary spins on one spot, which generates more heat, which gives quicker correction of the paint but at a higher risk of doing damage.
The DA oscillates and rotates spreading heat, safer to use for anyone who hasnt used a machine before, but correction takes longer

muddle84

So could you fit a buffing "pad" to a machine polisher and get it to do everything???

PGE1970

Also interested in this thread.

As a novice, it would seem that a DA polisher is probably more suitable?

Also, is it possible to buy second hand?

JAMES VTI S

I use a buffer when applying a glaze like Autoglym Super Resin Polish, its easier and I use less product.

The fact that the picture of the buffer above has a cigarette lighter attachment in the photo, will give you an idea of their strength.

I used one on my car when I first polished it. I got a lovely, crisp, clear surface, but no scratches were removed. Up really close, it actually made them look worse as they were so obvious (but I mean really close, like within a foot or two). Otherwise it provided a lovely shine.

I still remember the time I spent 4-5 days on my car and as part of such I polished it with a buffer and I waxed it by hand afterwards. The shine was incredibly good. No paint correction at all, but I still vividly remember sitting in the car afterwards and driving into the town that night (it's first journey since being polished) and the clarity of the reflections of street lights, number plates from the cars in front, etc across the bonnet as I drove was really, really amazing.

It really makes a huge difference and is extremely satisfying. I'd highly recommend a buffer. But that said, Buy it knowing that you will end up buying a Dual Action afterwards at some point. A buffer is great, but it's not going to correct paint work and unless you're driving a brand new car, it's likely to have some scratches or swirls around it that'll drive you mad over time (if they haven't already.. and if you're posting here - they probably have!) :P

muddle84

So is it possible to get a buffing head for a machine polisher or can the machine polisher not spin slow enough to work as a buffer?

JAMES VTI S

Machine polisher will do every thing where a buffer will not.

muddle84

So I can use a machine polisher as a buffer? So basically it is pointless me buying a buffer so I am just going to jump straight in a buy a machine polisher... Where is a good place to buy them? Some of them are quite expensive and where is the best place to buy the polish&polishing heads?

Also what different polishes are there that you should use to correct paint?

JAMES VTI S

What is your budget.
How much will you be using it.
Will you us it on other peoples auto paint.

Curran

Yes, you can use the machine polisher as a buffer, but its completely pointless in my opinion. Easier to removed any product by hand, provided its used correctly. Most people think they should lash on wax, and when it cures it is difficult to remove. Its not if you apply it in thin layers, and apply 2-3 layers.

Some people do indeed use the machine to apply product, as it spreads the product evenly.

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

I use a buffer when applying a glaze like Autoglym Super Resin Polish, its easier and I use less product.

SRP isnt a glaze - it even says in the name what it is....Super Resin Polish! :P

muddle84

muddle84 wrote: »

So I can use a machine polisher as a buffer? So basically it is pointless me buying a buffer so I am just going to jump straight in a buy a machine polisher... Where is a good place to buy them? Some of them are quite expensive and where is the best place to buy the polish&polishing heads?

Also what different polishes are there that you should use to correct paint?

I'm not sure of the exact specifics of what a 'buffer' is and what a 'Dual Action' is, but it seemed to me that the buffer (I was using) was just a slow, tired version of my DA.

My DA spins fast, and aggressively. It's like a workshop tool (in fact, I'd say if you were stuck you could use it as a disc sander).

The buffer I used spun slowly and methodically, with nowhere near the same amount of 'oomph' as the DA. The buffer took the pain out of hand polishing, but that's about all.


However, the buffer I used was an Aldi special one, so probably cheap as chips to come by. The DA cost in/around €200 so was a bit of an investment and all the way through the ordering procedure I had to not think about the amount of money I was spending on it because it seemed very, very expensive for something that 'might' work (I wasn't sure of their ability at the time, or if i really wanted one or not).

Since getting it, I haven't looked back, of course.


Where are you based, OP? Maybe there's a boardsie near you that'll let you take a look at their DA/Rotary/Buffer if they have one.

nd

I suppose the likes of this
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_1021383_langId_-1_categoryId_165640

are thought of as a waste of money(tbh even at that price it seems expensive to me)?

muddle84

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

What is your budget.
How much will you be using it.
Will you us it on other peoples auto paint.

Budget is <€150

I would only plan to use it on my own car and probably my brothers car.

I wouldn't plan to use it on other peoples car and that would not be the reason for me buying it.

PGE1970

Would anyone have an opinion on something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZFE-710W-Dual-Action-Eccentric-Excentric-Rotation-Rotation-Electric-Car-polisher-/171251654773#shpCntId

It seems to come with plenty of pads etc.

JAMES VTI S

It dosn't have much cut though dose it ?

Ded_Zebra

PGE1970 wrote: »

Would anyone have an opinion on something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZFE-710W-Dual-Action-Eccentric-Excentric-Rotation-Rotation-Electric-Car-polisher-/171251654773#shpCntId

It seems to come with plenty of pads etc.

Probably not the best built unit but it'll probably get the job done

PGE1970

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

It dosn't have much cut though dose it ?

As a matter of interest, how do you judge cut? Is it the wattage of the device? Any suggestions what a beginner should look for? Cheers. This

JAMES VTI S

"Judge cut" i don't understand that.

nd

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

It dosn't have much cut though dose it ?

Could you explain / expand on this?

JAMES VTI S

Cut as in big abrasives,.

Curran

Cut is dependant on several factors....
Pad
Polish
Speed / Torque of the machine
Pressure applied to the machine
Heat generated

For example; a machine with a high torque and with a lot of pressure applied, its less likely to bog/slow down, and as a result generates more heat.

Spike Witwicky

Howya lads

I'm looking to get a DA for both cutting n buffing.

Lookin to spend around €100 and will probably use it every month or so. If i dont make a balls of my own car i might use it on others.

What would you recommend?