Is one orbital the same as another?
 

OK. What makes one RO better than another. I went the cheap route and bought a $20 RO job at WalMart and have had good success with it. My car is black (my 4th in a row) and I'm always fighting the swirls. Since I've always waxed by hand until now, I thought I was in heaven with the ease of use this thing has.

Now, after reading the thread, I'm wondering if the Porter Cable model would be worth the purchase as there are still swirl marks (and may be forever) that won't go away. I have been following the recommendations from Lee's FAQ but am always looking for a better way ;).

I think the price on the Porter Cable goes into the powerful hi torque variable speed motor, the adjustable counterweight system, the metal housing, etc. The removable handle makes for easy 2 hand use, as the main case is a comfortable fit to your dominant hand, and the right angle handle is up on the axis of the buffer wheel, allowing easy control. I don't even have to press down with the unit, just glide the buffer over the surface under its own weight.

I'm a big fan of RO buffers - they do a great job and are darn near idiot proof. While something mfd by Porter Cable may be the ultimate, I've been using one I bought at Sears - I think - for about 10 years. Cost fifty bucks, works great. Has a nine inch foam pad, uses terry bonnets. I can wax one of my cars in 45 minutes with it, and it does a nice job. I'm sure it vibrates more than a Porter Cable, and it's made of plastic rather than metal, but for consumer use it's just fine.

What's the best RO buffer? Probably the one that works best for you and you have the most confidence in. If you have a $20 Walmart special or a Sears unit and they work for you, may be no real need to change. John educated me about the features of the Porter Cable, but no doubt others can work fine, too. On the other hand, if you don't already have one, the Porter Cable might just be a good one to look into.

Deuce,
If you're not getting out all the swirls, you might try just using the different polishes from Griot's Garage. They come in 3 grades, 1, 2, and 3, and 3 is the mildest. You might try buying a bottle of #2 and #3 and see how that works. You use the #2 on the more significant swirls, then finish up over the whole vehicle with #3.


Wayne,
Thanks for the nice feedback.


Steve

Thanks for the tips Steve. I'm using Meguiar's #9 now and have, admittedly, only used it once (2 applications). I haven't had enough shade until now because the trees have been bare. If I don't have better success with #9 I'll check out the Griot's stuff.

I do have a question regarding the actual application of the swirl remover. Since this thread is regarding the RO Buffers I don't want to take it off track so have started a new thread. I'd love any comments. Here it is:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/detailing-interior/36527-can-polish-break-down-during-application.html

Thanks!

I may sound like a Piker, but I'd go to Walmart and get a $25 one. That's what I use and I'd put my cars finish up against anyone's. The more expensive polishers will probably last longer, but I can buy a half dozen of the cheapies to one Porter Cable.

Personally, I think the material you use and the quality of the pad have more of an effect on the finish.

Flame on

I went out and bought a $19 buffer from Walmart and the result was fantastic!! I read all the threads about the Porter Cable and I even contacted Coastal Tools about it. After weighting the $130 vs $19, I went with the $19 one. I figure for $19 and if it does not perform as advertised, I can always return it to Walmart and get my money back. They told me I have 90 days for customer satisfaction. But after I used it on my black ML, I was totally surprised. I did not put any polish on the paint, just wax and buff. I can imagine what the result would be if I polished it too.

The buffer comes with 2 pads, one terry cloth and one wool. I used the wool pad for waxing. Is the terry cloth pad for polishing?

Elau,

Right on brotha!

The best cover to use is foam. They don't gum up and lessen the chance of scratching...they are easier to clean too.