I wonder if you don't need to distinguish clearly between so-called random
orbital polishers in which the center of rotation varies constantly, and
conventional buffers in which the center of rotation is fixed. Sounds to
me as if the two may be getting mixed up in this discussion, which will
prove confusing. My impression is that random orbital polishers like I
have seen at Sears are less aggressive than the conventional "buffer" that
spins 1500 rpm plus around a fixed axis.
Ray Gibbons Dept. of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
Univ. of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
gibbons@northpole.med.uvm.edu (802) 656-8910
On Wed, 28 Dec 1994, Tim Dziechowski wrote:
> Will Zehring asks about orbital polishers:
>
> > Not a heck alot of brit-car essence in this message but I'm wondering if
> > anyone out there uses an orbital polisher on your car. Any particular
>brand
> > that has the best reputation? Any warnings/comments on the use of these
> > things? What polishers/cleaners do you use with the thing? Some friends
> > swear by them but I'm worried that if you don't use the thing just so it
> > will cause some damage.
>
> I've had two. I had the cheapie Black & Decker which worked great but
> died after four buff jobs (about a week after it was out of warranty).
> I just got the Porter Cable buffer which uses velcro pads and am still
> getting to know it. Tried it out first on my truck and got some mild
> swirl marks, but that was near the end of the day and my pad was getting
> clogged with wax. I'm waiting for my wife to go visit relatives so I can
> toss the pad in the washing machine and see how well it cleans up.
>
> Key things: buff with the weight of the buffer only. You don't need to
> push down on it. Mine is adjustable from 1500-2?00 rpm, and some detailers
> I've talked to say that 1500 is better. You can't put paint back, so use
> the lightest duty compound which will get the job done.
>
> I like Meguiars products but have had good luck with others. There was
> a recent thread on wreck.whatever in which some other good buffers were
> recommended by detailers (see below).
>
> timd@hitu.enet.dec.com (Tim Dziechowski - '79 Midget, '94 Porter-Cable)
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Usenet excerpt on buffers:
> >
> > I am in Montreal, and can get you the entire line of Meguiars
> > products. I've tried their glazes and polishes, and to date they're
> > the best I've used (I do detailing here in Mtl).
>
> I agree completely with the above.
>
> > Tech Tip: Best orbital buffer commercially available is the Sears
> > Craftsman 11" Buffer\Polisher #91099. It's made by Waxcoa, a very
> > reputable name in the car care business. No buffer marks!
>
> I do not, however, agree with the buffer part. The best buffer on the
> market at the moment is the Cyclo dual-head orbital polisher, made in
> Denver. This is THE machine used by airlines to polish aircraft skin and
> is also the tool of choice for many who detail cars, too. Sears
> polishers are not bad; I had one that I used for about 8 years
> and swore by it until I got the Cyclo (800-525-0701 or 303-744-8043).
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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