Orbital Polisher/Buffer - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

unklekraker · 05-05-2007, 06:43 AM

I know that you could buy it online but I want to buy it locally to help out my local neighborhood store..hehehehehe! But if i buy it online, that means I have to wait till Wednesday or Friday to get here and i can't wait. I want to do the work on my car today.
So I need your opinion on these product that I could buy at Home Depot, Lowes or Sears store near my house.

Thanks in Advance

Ryobi brand with 3200 random orbits per minute but 10 inches
or with 4000 random orbits per minute but only 6 inches, It wont let me post the link

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/subcat.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Portable+Power+Tools&subcat=Buffers+%26+Polishers&keyword=orbital+buffer

donv · 05-05-2007, 07:18 AM

Keep in mind you're going to need more than just the tool, but also buffing pads and polishes. Unless you've got a really good local detailing supply shop open on the weekend, you're likely to end up having to order that stuff and wait anyway.

The Porter-Cable has been berry berry good to me. Good availability of pads for the unit - see these prior threads (there are many more if you search) if you haven't already:

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2875&highlight=porter-cable

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7135&highlight=porter-cable

Perfectlap · 05-05-2007, 07:36 AM

if you sign up for the detailcity.com newsletter via email you will get a 10% coupon code. You'll need the velcro flexible backing plate for the PC, it doesn't come with it. Lake country pads are very popular.
I'm not familiar with those sears buffers but at $30 I'm pretty sure they aren't powerful enough to do any deswirling or polishing.

unklekraker · 05-05-2007, 08:40 AM

just got back and went to check it out and decide not to buy it..all of a sudden when i saw it, i was like...okay, am i willing to use this on both of my car?

going detailcity.com and check out what are recommended....

S_PILOT · 05-05-2007, 08:46 AM

I 2nd the recommendation made regarding the P/C rotary. I have been using the model 7424 for about 10 years on my vehicles. Incredible results, and you can use it without any reservations about burning paint. a first time user is just as qualified with this tool as a pro from a safety standpoint.

wolfgang's paint sealant and a topper of Souveran on our Red Boxster S-so fine.......

djomlas · 05-05-2007, 09:05 AM

i have one from Griots Garage, did 2 black cars, i LOVE it.
ill be doing my car sometime soon as well

MNBoxster · 05-05-2007, 09:44 AM

Hi,

I too just got the Griot's Random Orbital as an early B'day present from Mrs. MNBoxster (she's away doing the Players Championship in JAX and decided to give it to me early - my B'day is next week).

I've already washed the car and clayed about half of it. I'll finish up the clay today and try to get to the polishing tmw. I'll report back. I also plan on doing her Jag before she gets back in town, so I'll have some real Buff time with it when I'm through.

I used a PC for years and it's a good machine, but it burned out on me and so I got the Griot's. The only thing I immediately like better about the Griot's is that it seems less cumbersome, but we'll have to wait for the results...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

SC986 · 05-05-2007, 03:19 PM

I've had the Porter Cable 7424 for about two years and love it! It is a very forgiving machine especially for a beginner.

Lowe's has a good price on them, I got mine there on sale.

Grizzly · 05-05-2007, 03:36 PM

Just curious...does anyone out there have a Cyclo Buffer? I hear everyone rave about the Porter Cable. I have had this Cyclo forever and I love it. They've been around since the 50s and are used to polish Airforce One. That's where I first saw one. I'm wondering how the two machines compare performance-wise. Anyone? Anyone?

http://www.autogeek.net/cyclo-polisher.html?gclid=CP7o6NaW-IsCFRROQwod-nNnbQ

djomlas · 05-05-2007, 04:32 PM

Jim,
glad u got urs too, my bday is on monday, so start saving now people hehe j/k
but anyways, griots is great, its much more easier to use that one would think.

blinkwatt · 05-05-2007, 04:35 PM

Does anyone have a link to the Griot's Garage product?

djomlas · 05-05-2007, 04:45 PM

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10925

blinkwatt · 05-05-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djomlas

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10925

How many pads would you have to use if you want to put 3 layers of Zaino on it?

djomlas · 05-05-2007, 05:27 PM

you can use only one and put as many layers as you want.
you can wash them and reuse them, but u can put zaino on without the buffer, i do, its easy one easy off

MNBoxster · 05-05-2007, 09:44 PM

Hi,

You don't really want to put Zaino on with a Buffer, you'll get much better results by Hand and with a Buffer, you'll use about 5 times as much to accomplish the same thing as the Foam Pads are really thirsty.

What you could do, and what I plan on doing, is get a microfibre Bonnet and buff it out with that. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

MNBoxster · 05-05-2007, 09:59 PM

Hi,

Well 1st round with the Griot's is complete. I completed the Hood, Front Bumper Front Fenders and both Doors.

First Impressions - It's a well made machine, good torque and appropriate speed settings. Great ergonomics and very little vibration as compared to my old PC (I see PC is now adding a Counterweight to address this). I don't know that it's better, just different, but certainly not inferior to the PC.

Their supplied pads and compounds are good - pretty much idiot-proof. The compound didn't cut as agressively as I would have liked (probably to keep the Novice safe). I have other more agressive compounds, but didn't feel like adding stages to the project, so I just let it grind the paint in the problem areas a little longer. Same result, but without having to do it in stages from more to less agressive compounds.

Like Stephen Stills says: "Love the one you're with...". It's a good machine and I like it, will keep it 'til it dies, and would recommend it. But with the PC 7424 going for as little as $109.00 - http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/7424_car_buffer.htm?E+coastest one has to wonder how many Pads, Microfibre Towels and Compounds you could get with the difference...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

blinkwatt · 05-05-2007, 10:14 PM

If I've detailed the car by washing,claying and three layers of Zainoing and was happy with the results would there really be a reason for me to switch to an Ortibal Buffer? What can it offer me that buffing with my hand can't? Just looking to learn that's all.

MNBoxster · 05-05-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

If I've detailed the car by washing,claying and three layers of Zainoing and was happy with the results would there really be a reason for me to switch to an Ortibal Buffer? What can it offer me that buffing with my hand can't? Just looking to learn that's all.

Hi,

Nothing really for what you describe except a time saver.

I only use it for polishing - removing scratches and swirl marks. Once the finish is restored, I clay and Zaino by hand...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

djomlas · 05-05-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

If I've detailed the car by washing,claying and three layers of Zainoing and was happy with the results would there really be a reason for me to switch to an Ortibal Buffer? What can it offer me that buffing with my hand can't? Just looking to learn that's all.

if you have light swirl marks, or even more noticeable ones, dependong on the pad and compund you use, you can remove a lot with this, and once the paint is back to normal good looking condition you can go back to zaino by hand.
but after a good polish, the paint really pops, thats the difference between polish and wax and just wax.

btw, you need to claybar the car befor you polish it anyways