waxing with a buffer

[moyn]

i say this waxing/buffer machine at pepboys today. can i get some advice on possible using these. waxing is such a choir as it is anything to make it easier would be great. what do you guys think, yes or no on using something like this? if anyone is using something please let me know what it is and how it works. thanks, alot

[AFdefender]

I got a buffer pretty cheap (on sale) at home depot. Im too lazy to go an by the pads you need for it so I dont realy use the thing. The time I did use it it was great all you have to do is let it glide over the car no pressure required just up/ down side/side whatever. Takes all the rubbing and crap out of it. I did find hwever that on our cars it was quite a pain in the ass because of all the curves and such... like the ribs, the "lift" on the hood, bumbers its pretty good for the big areas tho, defienately made the job easier! :thumbs:

~ Mike

[OneQuickGT1]

The buffers you can buy at PepBoys and the like are great for applying wax, but will not remove swirls. They are just not made for that. But, they do make waxing go faster and make it much easier. If you are looking to remove swirls with a buffer, it would be best to buy something like a Porter Cable buffer. Like I said, it is all what you want to do!

Brett

[Panacea]

Brett,

Are you going to Augie by chance? If so, want to help me buff out some swirl marks (if it's possible?). Ha ha. Just thought I'd hit you up :)

[OneQuickGT1]

yeah, I go to Augie....I may go home in a few weeks, so I will bring back my buffer!

Brett

[Panacea]

I was wondering if that was you. I remember talking to you about two years ago (Macleod52) and I think you changed your screen name as well? Still have never seen you around town.

[Green99GT]

make sure you keep it moving, im sure they didnt put to may layers on the car so you could go though the paint....not sure how powerful that on it though....

[02PONtiac!]

Those buffers are junk. To do the job right you need a professional buffer that spins at around 8,000 rpm's. If you are all concerned about those swirls marks its probably because you are using the wrong buffing pad. Do not I repeat "DO NOT" use a wool buffing pad. this causes swirl marks in the paint because the wool is abrasive. You must I repeat "YOU MUST use a Foam buffing bad. Foam pads don't cause swirl marks. Also make sure you use a non abrasive rubbing compound. It needs to be a super fine compound and one that is not to gritty or abrasive.

[JKP02SE]

Originally posted by 02PONtiac!
Those buffers are junk. To do the job right you need a professional buffer that spins at around 8,000 rpm's. If you are all concerned about those swirls marks its probably because you are using the wrong buffing pad. Do not I repeat "DO NOT" use a wool buffing pad. this causes swirl marks in the paint because the wool is abrasive. You must I repeat "YOU MUST use a Foam buffing bad. Foam pads don't cause swirl marks. Also make sure you use a non abrasive rubbing compound. It needs to be a super fine compound and one that is not to gritty or abrasive.

I COMPLETELY agree that those cheap buffer/polishers are junk if you want to do real buffing, but I don't think that is what this guy is asking about. He seems to just be looking for something to make waxing go faster, which those cheap polishers do work pretty well for, just make sure you have at least a few spare clean terry bonnets.
On the topic of real buffers, Wool pads do have their uses, as it is the only way to cut through deeper scratches. You just have to make sure you follow it up with a foam pad to take out the swirls. But really, buffing isn't something you just want to dive into without some training or experience, so if anybody doesn't already know the basics they are better off leaving it to someone who does. It is just way to easy to do more harm than good with a buffer if you don't know how to use it.

[02PONtiac!]

Very well said. If somebody doesn't have experience with a high speed buffer than you should not attempt it. I agree.

[OneQuickGT1]

I third the idea of not using a buffer unless you have some idea what you are doing. However, there are two types of buffers, random orbit and rotary. A random orbit is REALLY safe, and it is basically impossible to burn the paint. Any beginner can use this buffer pretty safely. On the other hand, do not use a rotary buffer unless you are trained well in using RO buffers first. Rotary buffers can be great, but they can also do serious damage. The moral of the story is, buffers can be used by anyone, as long as you know what you are doing and what you have in your hands!

Brett

[moyn]

thanks a lot for the help guys. i guess i'll just stick to using my hands. long ans more elbow grease but oh well. a longer job is better then a half-a$$ job when it comes to my car.