PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

looking into buying one of them auto-zone buffers. Are they any good or should I just stick with doing it all by hand?
I need suggestions on what type of buffer to buy and the pros and cons of one.

There is a reason you see all those crappy buffers at every garage sale... they suck.

This is what I use: http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-pol ... MgoduQQAYg

The Porter/Cable is the route to go.

Mark

Griots Garage 6" orbital is the one I would go with if I was looking for that type right now. More power and a better warranty then the Porter Cable.

Do not waste your money on any cheap auto zone buffers.

Porter Cable all day long!

I have had great luck with my Dewalt buffer.

Leon

Dewalt makes good tools, as well as a quality rotary polisher, however not a good tool for a beginner, as well as very few people can properly finish with one without leaving holograms. Not to mention the risk of burn through with a rotary.

I have a porter cable but I'll probably be buying a griots if I get into detailing for cash. The PC just doesn't have to power I'd like.

If you really want to play, look into a Rupes 21 Bigfoot, just don't look at the price That is my next toy!

This is what I did for my son yesterday using my Dewalt buffer..
The buffing really brings out the colors on this shade of blue.



Leon

A rotary is not something for a beginner. Big risk of burn through as well as the holograms as previously mentioned. I see it all the time all over the place, more often then not people use a rotary and then leave horrible holograms that have to be corrected with a DA polisher. There really are very few people that can properly finish down with a rotary, even when it looks ok after, often the holograms / buffer trails are filled in with the oils from the polish.

I even see really respected professional detailers that can't finish down with a rotary, don't go that route.

I agree that it is something that has to be learned.
Not something for a first timer, but you have to start sometime, if you are ever going to get good at it.
I have been doing this for 25 years, I think my quality of work shows in the picture I just posted.

Leon

Not at all trying to be rude or insult your work, but honestly that picture does not show the quality of work. Sun reflection shots are what really bring to light quality work, that is where you can tell if there is swirls and holograms / buffer trails. That car does look amazing in the picture no doubt, but to really show off good defect free paint you really need to do a few IPA wipe downs to make sure there is no filling going on then take sun reflection shots.

Again, please do not take that as an insult, it is not meant to be at all. The angle of a picture compared to the sun can make all the difference in the world when showing paint correction.

No insult taken.
I just see you are a person that knows his business and is hard to impress.
Believe it or not, but I understand everything you have explained.
How long have you been detailing cars?

Leon

Not that I am hard to impress, I just know what to look for when it comes to paint correction

I have been detailing now for about five years, as I am sure you know though, years experience with detailing really only means so much, some of the worst hack jobs I have seen have come from detailers that throw around 20 years of detailing experience like it is something to be proud of, when really all they have been doing is killing paint foe 20 years :(

There is probably 15 detailing shops within 30 minutes from my house yet there is only myself and one other guy that actually offers paint correction without fillers. Basically the people that come to either of us for a detail know the quality and gladly pay us much more then the shops for quality work done right. Normally about 10 hours on a car start to finish for my mid level exterior package.

I don't know if they still make it, but Dewalt did have their own orbital buffer as well. But it was a bit more expensive than the Porter Cable. But if you go that route, they do have many orbital sanders, so make sure you look for one that has the variable speed control. I know several years ago when I got mine, there was only one that was the right type of sander that would work for polishing. But really, the Porter Cable and Griots are the go to machines to stick with. The PC is cheaper, but has less power. The Griots has a lifetime warranty.