Best Choice for a New Polisher/Buffer?

[Yamasixx]

Ok...I'm ready to expand my horizons. Guess I want to get the best shine in a shorter amount of time, so here's the deal.

1. I'm a complete noob on Electric polishers. I've always cleaned the crap out of my cars but always by hand.

2. Choices are between the 7424xp or a Cyclon Pro. I've read quite a bit on both of them but wanting some opinions on what would be best for me and why.

3. My DD is a 05' Tacoma DC in Radiant Red. It looks good from a distance but it has some pretty good swirls. I have been working on parts of it as a test for products and have also done some claying. I will start learning with my new polisher on this.

4. My garage keeper is a Black '10 Mustang GT. It's my baby and has been professionally detailed as of a year ago. It never see's rain and only has 10,000 miles on it. Paint is in really good shape but I want to move onto this once I get comfortable with the polisher.

I think if I just had the truck, I'd go with the Cyclon. The biggest question that I have is the ease of use on the smaller panels of the Mustang later on. As always I'm certainly concerned about doing damage and from what I've read, they are both pretty noob friendly. Thoughts anyone?

Thanks!

[BobbyG]

I've never tried a Cyclon polisher but I do have a Porter Cable 7424 dual action polisher. Mine is the first generation and it's still going strong after 14 years. I do have to admit though that most of it's duty today is relegated to applying sealants and waxes. My go to dual action polisher now is my Flex 3401...

You'll probably get many different opinions as there are several Porter Cable type polishers out there and all have a following.

[Mike Phillips]

Here's some videos on how the different polishers work...



Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project


YouTube- Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car...




Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project


YouTube- Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car...




All about the FLEX-3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher

All about the FLEX-3401 Forced Rotation Dual...



:buffing:

[Mike Phillips]

Here's one that shows how safe the PC "style" polishers are to use...




Removing Swirls and Oxidation By Machine

How To Remove Oxidation by Machine Polishing with...







:)

[Yamasixx]

Wow, lots of good information there. I think I saw you do that green truck on TV a while back......quite impressive!

The Flex seems to scare me a bit since I'm such an amateur with this process. It would appear I have much more of a chance of burning through the paint with this?

The Cyclo(now that I got the name right) seems to be a better machine than the PC but harder to work with on smaller areas?

Thanks Guys!

[swanicyouth]

I never heard if that polisher either. I Googled it and nothing quickly came up. The PC is the industry standard and it is what all the other DA machines are based on. They are pretty high quality for a tool in this price range. I've had mine for 6 or 7 years. It seems like the Moore I use it - the better it works.

There is just one thing: MAKE SURE YOU GET 5.5" PADS TO POLISH WITH !!!!!

A lot of "kits" come with larger pads. Why? Nobody knows. This machine works best with 5.5" pads.

[Setec Astronomy]

I wouldn't worry too much about burning paint, even with a Flex 3401. If I were you I would go with the PC and get the Meguiar's Microfiber DA setup--it's really easy and it works really well. Best if you have a small air compressor to blow out the pads between panels...even one of those cheapo $80 on sale ones is fine for that.

[Yamasixx]

I never heard if that polisher either. I Googled it and nothing quickly came up. The PC is the industry standard and it is what all the other DA machines are based on. They are pretty high quality for a tool in this price range. I've had mine for 6 or 7 years. It seems like the Moore I use it - the better it works.

There is just one thing: MAKE SURE YOU GET 5.5" PADS TO POLISH WITH !!!!!

A lot of "kits" come with larger pads. Why? Nobody knows. This machine works best with 5.5" pads.

Sorry, it's Cyclo. They have them in the Autogeek store.

[Old Tiger]

If you are new Cyclo is the easiest machine to use, It is the safest and fatigue free machine I own. I would invest in a 3" Griots for tight areas. IME the Cyclo will do fine on your Mustang too.

[Yamasixx]

If you are new Cyclo is the easiest machine to use, It is the safest and fatigue free machine I own. I would invest in a 3" Griots for tight areas. IME the Cyclo will do fine on your Mustang too.

I was wondering how easy it was to handle. Funny thing is, it's the only one I can find locally so I can see how what's it's like before I buy. You would take this over a 3401 or the PC for a newbie then?

[ScottB]

Flex deserves a second look ...

[Johny B]

I never heard if that polisher either. I Googled it and nothing quickly came up. The PC is the industry standard and it is what all the other DA machines are based on. They are pretty high quality for a tool in this price range. I've had mine for 6 or 7 years. It seems like the Moore I use it - the better it works.

There is just one thing: MAKE SURE YOU GET 5.5" PADS TO POLISH WITH !!!!!

A lot of "kits" come with larger pads. Why? Nobody knows. This machine works best with 5.5" pads.

I agree.The 6.5" pads don't spin easily I use my PC just to apply waxes and sealants with 5.5" pads for paint corrections I use my Flex 3401 which performs better than the PC.

Johny

[Mike Phillips]

Wow, lots of good information there. I think I saw you do that green truck on TV a while back......quite impressive!


Oxidation on a single stage finish is an easy fix and easy to create a DRAMATIC before and after.

When I arrived to their TV studio my eyes instantly began looking for something to demonstrate on and that truck jumped out screaming,

Me, me me!





The Flex seems to scare me a bit since I'm such an amateur with this process. It would appear I have much more of a chance of burning through the paint with this?


A very safe and powerful tool, here's what I just posted about it in this thread, see post #26

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/56173-why-would-anyone-use-da-paint-correction-3.html





I would agree with this only because of the unique "walking" characteristic the tool has and that's because it oscillates under forced rotation. It basically teaches you to hold the pad flat and that's what you're supposed to be doing anyways. I also teach this in all my classes, that is how to properly use the Flex 3401 by holding the pad flat.


How To Polish a Street Rod! - Modeled by Stacy! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/55920-how-polish-street-rod-modeled-stacy.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1568/1940Ford019.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1568/1940Ford020.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1568/1940Ford021.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1568/1940Ford022.jpg




And it's definitely easier to use and control by upgrading to the 4" backing plate and then using the 5" Hybrid pads.


New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/49549-new-4-5-pads-4-backing-plate-flex-3401-a.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1153/1965Plymouth009.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1153/1965Plymouth010.jpg



Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/49293-live-broadcast-video-1965-plymouth-valiant-extreme-makeover.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1436/1965Plymouth044.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1436/1965Plymouth045.jpg










There is just one thing: MAKE SURE YOU GET 5.5" PADS TO POLISH WITH !!!!!




5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-tools-accessories/48668-5-inch-backing-plates-meguiar-s-griot-s-porter-cable-da-polishers.html)





If you are new Cyclo is the easiest machine to use, It is the safest and fatigue free machine I own. I would invest in a 3" Griots for tight areas. IME the Cyclo will do fine on your Mustang too.



Here's Jim's excellent review of the Cyclo...


Cyclo -Old Technology in a Modernized Package (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/cyclo-polisher-accessories/55629-cyclo-old-technology-modernized-package.html)


:xyxthumbs:

[Yamasixx]

I've looked much closer at the Flex and am now leaning towards that unit. I did see the option for the smaller plates and I think I'll be going that route. I do have all the product I need, but can anybody tell me what pads to start off with?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Im looking at getting the Flex as well along with the new 5 inch hybrid pads for it. I love the smaller 5.5 pads on my D/A and im sure I will love the 5 inch hybrid pads on the Flex.