What buffer to buy?

[Zeeshan]

anyone have any suggestions on what circular rotating power buffer to buy? I don't want to pay others to do it...would rather buy the tools and buff the car myself to rid of swirls, etc.

just yesterday after washing the car I found some sort of liquid spots that looked like water spots....but are obviously not because they won't come out. now I'm thinking of investing in a power buffer to keep me busy on a nice saturday afternoon.

anyway, if anyones got experience with power buffers....please let me know. don't want to go all out and spend TOO much, just something decent to get the job done.

[Sarmz]

I have the Porter Cable 7424. Works good for me. Must have for anyone with a black car.

[Noel]

ScratchX ... Clay Bar ... Premium good ole patience waxing/detailing works for me ... Only black cars in my collection as well. I don't like buffers considering the above works well for me.

[AcidLotus]

Cheapest for the buffer itself is Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=51472-546-7336SP&lpage=none

They sell the 7336. It's a random orbital sander. Exact same machine as the 7424 buffer, just comes with different things. The only main difference is that it comes equiped with the 6 inch counter weight instead of the 5, which is what you want for buffing anyway.

Of course that's just the machine. You still need pads and the backing plate. I would recomend the orange ones. I think david at Autopia sells them. You can also get them from CMA (www.properautocare.com). CMA probably has a good kit you can buy that comes with a few pads and the backing plate.

[mrgold35]

I've have a Sears 10 inch random orbital buffer, I think I paid +$70 three years ago. It comes in its own case with all the parts needed (except a long extension cord). I just had to buy one of those high gloss sheep skin pads. It is about the right size for me, I can use one or two hands without any problems with it being too heavy. I've started with the smaller 6 inch size and it didn't last long, rubber padding wore out. Just make sure it is a random orbital buffer instead of a circular rotating with no random motion. You can burn a hole in your paint if you just get the one without random motion if you are not careful. Faster buffer RPMs is not always better for car paint.

The advantages I've found were:
- wax the car in 1/4 the time compared to hand
- very even wax distribution, sometimes on a dark colored car you can leave darker wax swirls because of uneven distribution by hand
- you will use a lot less wax compared to hand
- easy clean up, just take everything down to the U-wash-Um laundry matt and spend .75 cents, you can dry at home.
- no hand/arm/shoulder/back/leg fatigue from waxing for sooooo long
- wax can be removed a lot easier by hand or by buffer
- it does a pretty good job removing residue and water spots from paint.
- less wax to wash from under your fingernails at the end of the day

I still use a hand applicator for hard to reach areas (in front of sun roof, under the wing spoiler, uneven surfaces back of trunk/front bumper, etc..).

[aeon]

porter cable works great. i got mine at lowes also and i forgot where i bought my pads.

[Zeeshan]

thanks for the replies guys! I was also reading up and it seems the porter cable is apparently the good way to go. ebay has some packages with pads etc. included....so i'll do my research.