I have seen the Porter Cable random orbital piolisher for about $119, but Griot's warns that you should only buy their Porter Cable orbital with a special backing plate that does not allow heat to build up on the paint. Has anyone compared the Griot's (which is very expensive) with other Porter Cable products available on the net?

-- john

its a bunch of crap they are ripping you at Griots the regular porter cable for $119 is fine its just how well you know how to use it, I bought mine from classic autos and its awsome

also If you buy the machine without the plate, you could buy the plate alone and put it to your machine.
The cost for the plate at Griots is $26
it is a Porter Cable item

The part number for the plate at Porter Cable is
18001

Groit is exaggerating the truth.

Check out Classic Motoring Accessories for all the detail pads and backing plate.

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excellent site for car care, Thanks

Heat buildup with an orbital buffer????? Who are they BS'ing?
Orbitals are the most delicate way to polish/wax a paint surface.
Get a Sears buffer and some cotton cloth pads and go at it.
Maybe use a foam pad for a black car. What you will discover is that if you are trying to remove, say a bug stain, is that the orbital will actually take longer to do the job than a hand applicator, because it is so gentle. But, MAN, what a smooth swirl-free result, and just standing there holding the buffer in place for maybe 10 seconds is certainly easier than rubbing like crazy for 5 seconds! And, when you get skilled at it, you can actually polish the hood with one hand on the buffer and a beer in the other!!

When I first got my orbital i was afraid of maybe cutting too deep around the seams and edges. I did a test on my old Buick by polishing a crease on the fender with Meguier's #9 finecut. I held the buffer in one place for almost 10 minutes, with several applications of additional #9. Never cut thru the paint, only problem was that one fender looked so great compared to the rest of the 15 year old paint. Now I just go at it with no fear on my new Vette and my wife's MB.

Can you tell I love buffers?

I'm planning to buy myself one this year.

acha3
where to get that 18001 plate? Thanks