power buffer polishing

byron w · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 01:19 PM

Has anyone had any expierience with the Porter Cable orbital polisher? Are they that much better, worth the extra cost, than standard circular polishers?

Thanks,
Byron

Deanm · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 01:37 PM

I've got a porter cable polisher and they work great. Make sure that you use a foam pad and you can't go wrong.

Mister · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 01:38 PM

Byron,
You might want to do some reading over on autopia. My limited understanding is that it is much easier to damage your finish with a circular than with an orbital.

I purchased a Porter Cable a few weeks ago and have used it twice. I am happy with the results.
MIke

Deanm · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 01:41 PM

Griot's Garage offers a free DVD showing step by step how to use the polisher

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 06:02 AM

Byron,

I have had the Griot's whole kit including the orbital polisher for a year and I think it is much easier to use without burning the paint than a circular. However mine just sits in the case as I do my car with wet paint and by hand and it only takes about 30 minutes max. I think I used it once on my daily driver Comet just to see how it worked as I have always had a fear of burning through the paint.

Ron

rdorman · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 07:46 AM

I have the porter cable orbital and use the Griots products. Works great!

blueovalfanatic · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 01:16 PM

I am not familiar with the Porter Cable orbital polisher specifically, but I prefer a regular buffer over an orbital. WEN and Milwaukee are two good ones. Turn the speed down, and pay attention to what direction the pad is going. In other words, hold it in such a way that the pad is always going from the surface and off the corner- such as doors, hood, etc., rather than the pad hitting the edge first before it hits the surface. And like mentioned above, for polishing, use the "egg carton" type foam pad- especially on dark cars, as the foam "bumps" will not put swirl marks in the paint. Polishing and buffing is something that literally takes hundreds of hours to master. I know you are probably thinking of just one car (yours), but after awhile, you will know what you can and cant get away with by the type of vehicle and paint you are working on.

Greg

RedBarchetta · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 01:31 PM

Pay the money for the Porter Cable and be done with it. You will be glad you did and you don't have to worry about burning through an edge or adding more swirls to the finish.

Greg is right that it takes MANY HOURS to master a conventional buffer. The Porter Cable takes out the guess work and adds in a considerable safety factor. I have my regular buffer collecting dust...makes a great conversation piece.

byron w · #9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 01:32 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses. Back "in the day" 40 some odd years ago, I was very good with a regular orbital polisher. In fact I still have my very first one, Craftsman commercial, that weighs a lot. I can still swing it for a while but am leaning toward a new purchase. IE: lighter and was considering one of the Porter cable type random orbital ones. Times have changed and the technology is so much better. Thanks again to all for the advice.
Oh yea, Greg, you bet that part of a Shell valley counts!!!!! Let me know when you are ready for the front pusher fans !!

Byron W.

byron w · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 01:34 PM

See, I am old. I used to be good with a regular circular polisher!!

Byron W.

blueovalfanatic · #11 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Greg is right that it takes MANY HOURS to master a conventional buffer. The Porter Cable takes out the guess work and adds in a considerable safety factor. I have my regular buffer collecting dust...makes a great conversation piece.

The reason it does not take alot of time to master an orbital polisher is that it does not turn as fast- which translates into not as effective. If all you want to do is wax your car, they are great...although I usually just reach for the wax sponge and rag. Any imperfections that cannot be rubbed out by hand, I will grab a buffer every time, as using an orbital is like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Greg

RedBarchetta · #12 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 11:41 PM

Greg, I certainly hope you aren't getting "orbital" (the cheap $40 buffers you find at Autozone that you use the $2.00 polyester wool pads on) confused with The Porter Cable 7424 random orbit car polisher. These are two completely different breeds. In fact, the PC 7424 started out as a woodworking tool! The development of different foam pads then lent it to furniture polishing, and the the auto industry jumped all over it and now it has no equal in the auto refinishing industry.

The old fashioned circular polishers, when combined with a good, high quality Schlegel wool pad, are FANTASTIC for rough buffing a freshly color sanded car. Because of the much higher rpms, the cutting action is very, very good. But for most weathered paint jobs and for removing even fairly bad surface scratches, the PC 7424 with the right pad is a truly amazing tool and much, much easier to use.

Come to So Cal and I'll personally give you my old one. Heck, I'll even throw in the Schlegel pad!

-Dean (born a Buckeye, BTW).

blueovalfanatic · #13 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 02:41 PM

Dean- I dunno if I am or not. The ones I am thinking of is kind of a round motor with two handles on it for both hands. They were heavy as hell and worked basically like a DA sander which basically vibrated alot more than it spun around.

I will do a search or something and see. Id do it now, but id probably lose this post. At any rate, im envious...I love Ohio from about April to early October. Right about now, id much rather be there in California. I have relatives in Corona too, BTW.

Byron- what kind of fans do you have?

Thanks,
Greg

RedBarchetta · #14 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueovalfanatic

The ones I am thinking of is kind of a round motor with two handles on it for both hands. They were heavy as hell and worked basically like a DA sander which basically vibrated alot more than it spun around.

Greg, That's PRECISELY the one I'm talking about! I have one of those, too, collecting dust. I think I used it twice (and not on one of my own cars). It's perfect for the guy that likes to slap on a coat of Turtle Wax on his minivan. I keep hoping that Smithsonian will call me someday and offer big bucks for it.

-Dean

byron w · #15 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 06:54 PM

Greg,
The motors are new, 2350 rpm motors. They are the same ones used by other fan kit mfg's. Go to the "parts for sale" foum and on the second page click on the "pusher fans for sale". Look at my photo gallery. You will see my red NAF car as well as my Shell Valley there. Both cars have my fan kit. The post in that forum pretty much says it all so I won,t repeat here.
Thanks for asking and I sure like the coupe !!!
Byron W.

blueovalfanatic · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2006, 02:42 PM

Thank you. I like the fans too. It will be awhile before I need them, but I will keep you in mind, as thats the kind I like.

Thanks,
Greg

byron w · #17 (**permalink**) 10-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Greg,

As you can see on both cars. I use both puller and the pushers. Seems to work great. glad you like them. keep us posted on your build.

Byron

dlang14 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-27-2006, 11:47 AM

Anyone have experience to suggest how the PC7424 compares to the Griot's Garage unit?

Also any suggestions on which pads and polishes work the best?

Thanks,

Daryl