I have about $100.00 to spend and would like to buy something to do my own cars only. Prefer something new is possible. Any suggestions?

 

A new rotary buffer of quality will run you in the $200 range bud. I'd recommend DeWalts products, they last forever.

 

With a budget of $100. I would suggest a Porter Cable 7336 or 7424. Some polisher, just different part #.

You can possibly find some cheaper if you look.

 

If you are looking for a rotary polisher you can pick up a Vector on ebay for way under a 100 bucks. I have one as a back up for my Makita just in case it ever died on me and i think it works pretty well.But if you have never used a rotary it might be a better idea to pick up a Porter Cable 7424 or a Meguiar's G110.The Meguiar's unit has a bit more power than the Porter Cable.Hope i helped.
Chris

 

I got my high speed Vector for 75$. But if you have never used a high speed buffer before, you might want to stick with a good orbital. What exactly do you plan on using it for? Just polishing/waxing? Or wet sand/buff, compound etc...

 

Id like to primarily use it for waxing/polishing but would also like to dabble and exentually get into wetsanding/buffing once I feel more comfortable. I own a black car who's paint needs help badly.

 

i bought myself the harbor freight buffer for hobbyist use. it works okay. but for entry level detailing and personal use. it'd be the best bang 4 ur buck

 

I hear ya. Well, maybe get a decent orbital for now so you can accommodate all your waxing/polishing needs. Then eventually step into a high speed. My Vector works great and only cost 75$. We even use it at my Body Shop. Maybe hit up the junkyard for some hoods/fenders/doors to practice wet sand and buffing. It might sound silly, but your better off learning on something like that, instead of burning through someones nice paint =p.

 

Save up your allowance and get a Dewalt

 

I like the Dewalts rotary's for their speed control (1000rpm-3000rpms) but for around 100$ Id go with a porter cable 7424. I love mine

 

Since it seems that there are some recommendations being tossed around here without a lot of background I'll throw my opinion in as well.
With regard to buffers you have a choice between rotary and random orbital.

Rotary: (makita 9227c)
PROS: quicker, stronger, and can remove more defects than a random orbital.
CONS: requires a lot of know-how, can cause permanent irreversible damage, expensive

Random Orbital: (porter cable 7424)
PROS: Yields amazing results with little to no experience, can remove almost as many defects as a rotary, is virtually impossible to do damage to paint with, cheaper
CONS: Limited power will not remove wet-sanding scratches, takes a little bit longer to do the same amount of work as a rotary, (about 1.5 as much time)

My recommendation would be this:
Buy yourself the Porter Cable and get comfortable with the movements of polishing with a machine. You will be able to make your cars look 100% better using this machine and it will provide you with a very good learn-as-you-go type of mentality. You wont have to worry about causing damage.
Then after becoming skilled with the PC THEN go ahead and get yourself the rotary, which is the next logical step in learning to polish. (Walk before flying). However do not worry about wasting money, the PC will continue to be an invaluable tool in your detailing arsenal. When learning to use the rotary it is INCREDIBLY difficult to achieve perfect finish, and you will always want to have the PC on hand to do the last touch.

A good analogy would be is the difference between a hammer and a sledgehammer. When doing simple chores around the house, which one is going to be used more often? You're going to need to hammer a whole lot more nails than you will need walls knocked down.

 

go to a body shop and have them show u how to use that shyt , its easy to burn the edges on your fender n hood n shyt, there is a technic to this... if u dont know what your doing learn , dont be a dumb a$$ throwning your new buffer yelling wtf.. take my advice .. and im sure they will be running a Makita, works for a grinder too so 2 tools in one .....or black n decker from sears is the safe way if your not going to learn how to do this the right way..

 

I have no idea what the hell you just said

 

Is it a GN that needs buffing? i know a thing or two about wheelin a buffer
dewalts are the deal for me

 

I have a couple of used dewalts and mikatas for sale if interested i can also throw in a few pads and compound with apurchase just need to make room in the garage. I use the mikata alot more than the dewalt but im willing to part with either one. I just did a service on both of them. Let me know.

 

heres the model numbers on the ones i have..


Dewalt 849 rotary high-speed polisher

MAKITA 9227C X3 HD POLISHER BUFFER


I dont want to get rid of both buffers because i still need one to work, but i would be willing to get rid of either one. They both retailed over 200 brand new id let them go for 100 shipped + paypal fees if interested.

 

from what you wrote im gonna buy my self the porter cable 7424 and test it on some old fenders