Any opinions on whether or not this orbital polisher is worth bidding on?

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-...83258

 

Seems a little too cheap. I mean the specs sound pretty similar to my porter cable, but I don't know, if it sounds too good to be true than it probably is. Plus, the 7 inch backing plate is way too big fo what you want to do with it. i would just get a porter cable.

 

You're paying for a hand-held motor - most of these are the same thing as the popular brand ones.

I picked up an Electric Impact Driver for $9.95 on there that was the exact same thing as the Snap-on for 10 times as much.

One thing - I'm not sure how common 7" pad size is - mine is 9" which I think is a little more standard (could be wrong on that - check your local auto parts place for foam replacement pads).

If you're new at this, you might consider a random orbital - but for the most part, a simple orbital is fine as long as you don't go nuts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tweakmeister &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you're new at this, you might consider a random orbital - but for the most part, a simple orbital is fine as long as you don't go nuts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's the difference between a random and simple orbital?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pcorad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What's the difference between a random and simple orbital?</TD></TR></TABLE>

random - less chance of burning you paint

simple orbital - if you snooze, you'll burn right through your clearcoat & paint

 

http://autopia.org/reviews/cen...id=72 Best machine out.

But like Cosworth said you better know how to use it, or you will inflict serious damage to your paint.

 

go to harbor freight and pick one up

 

Excellent advice folks. Thanks.

 

i'll have to disagree, the pc 7424 generates so little heat, you would have to be the worst detailer in the world to damage your paint at all. it's NOT a rotary

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hadboosttroy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'll have to disagree, the pc 7424 generates so little heat, you would have to be the worst detailer in the world to damage your paint at all. it's NOT a rotary</TD></TR></TABLE>

Or the first time user with zero skills.

it still spins and can damage paint, beware.

 

i've never used one of these because honestly, i don't really know what to do with it. I guess you would use it to buff the wax? Could you use it for paint cleaner/ polish? I'm kinda interested in getting one since right now it takes me FOREVER to detail my car and i'd like to speed it up so i can do it more often and actually keep my car clean

 

you could use it to apply your wax/sealant, but most prefer to still do that by hand. it is most effective in paint cleaning and polishing. check out autopia.org and go to the machine polishing section to learn

 

Do yourself a favor when you buy a car...make sure the dealership never touches it - not even for a "complementary" wash.

Never run it through a car wash, etc...

But over time, it's going to get small swirl marks or "fine lines" in the clearcoat. This is where a buffer (and not just your hands) can make the difference - in removing these very fine lines.

The gist of it is to wash (with a mit), clay bar the surface, and then use some very fine buffing compound. I first used Meguires Swirl Remover 2.0 - it's on the fine end of things and it was still too rough for my liking ..... it "damaged" a small test area I put it on, but was able to largely fix with a 3m product who's name eludes me at the moment.

I've only hand-washed my car (with a mit ) and used Zaino wax for the past several years. I finally built up the courage to try one of these compounds, because in bright - direct sunlight, I could see very fine lines and a couple small areas of acid rain etching in the clearcoat.

Now it's completely see-through. From every angle.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tweakmeister &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Never run it through a car wash, etc...

But over time, it's going to get small swirl marks or "fine lines" in the clearcoat. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Bahhhh, Car washes are fine... I have put mine thru many many many times and it still shines like a ****.

As for using a buffer, well... I only use done once on my car and it did help to removed some of the spiderwebs but if I took my time by hand like I did today then they do come out. It's all in the process & care.

 

The car washes here recycle their water and use nasty brushheads.

I know the BMW/Lexus automatic washes are pretty rough too (or at least they used to be) - all the cars around here look awful after a short period of time.