Which polisher should I get?

[Franko07]

Which polisher should I get?


I currently have an older 7424 PC, it has done well over the years but its time for a new one and downgrade this one to a brush DA for carpet and general cleaning. i do a few cars a year (friends and family), usually newer factory painted cars. I am too slow to profit from this so i do it for the tools, i charge just enough to cover expenses and eat dinner on.

i have been looking on this forum a lot and price really is not a big deal if its a huge improvement

first choice is
Makita PO5000C 5” Dual Action Random Orbit

second choice is
Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher

Third Choice is
Rupes BigFoot LHR15 MarkII Random Orbital

Fourth Choice is
RUPES BigFoot LK 900E Mille Gear Driven Polisher

Fifth choice is
Other choices

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Re: Which Polisher thread

i do a few cars a year (friends and family), usually newer factory painted cars.

I am too slow to profit from this so i do it for the tools, i charge just enough to cover expenses and eat dinner on.

The Griot's Garage 6" ROP is basically an improved copy of the original Porter Cable design. It has a TON more power. You could continue to use any pads you already own and use with your current Porter Cable.

Get the Griot's Garage 6" DA Orbital Polisher. This one,

Griot's Garage 6" ROP - Standard cord

Griots Garage 6 Inch Heavy Duty Random Orbital Polisher - HD Cord - 25' Heavy Duty Cord already pre-wired

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Re: Which Polisher thread

Continued....


If you want more speed no matter what the shape of the body panel, (curves mostly but thin panels too), then go for one of the gear-driven orbitals.


Zero pad stalling with any gear-driven orbital = increased speed overall.

 

[Franko07]

to be honest after reading on this forum for a while i increased the speed on the PC from 2-3 to 5-6 and had tremendously better results. Ive got the itch to buy a new one to make it go a little faster over all than i was used to.

i had considered a Griots but really want something better.

i was really leaning towards the Makita, i can use pretty much the same process and some of the same pads i have already..

the Rupes i would likely need all new pads and polish to complete the Rupes process.

 

[SWETM]

I don't think that you would be bound to the Rupes system if buying the Mille. It's comes with both the 6" and 5" backing plates so you would still be able to use the your old pads and polishes. And it's still a polisher that is gear-driven orbital. Sure if you start out fresh with polishing you would benefit from useing the Rupes system. But do you have experience and pads that are thin as the Mille pads are and good lubricated compound and polish. You will get by fine and get results. I would still invest in some of the Rupes Mille pads and definitely the yellow foam pad. You could invest in the deluxe kit and test it out and test against what you already have in your arsenal to evaluate what works for you.

The cars you work on are they most classic cars with round bodylines? As you said it was mostly repainted cars you do. If so a gear-driven orbital polisher would be a good fit. And if you feel like you have the technique to keep the pad spinning with your PC and want the smooth ride DA has. A Rupes 15mm mkII or a 21mm mkII polisher would be a great choice. With a free spinning DA the need of a mini polisher or a Rupes ibrid nano increase to get to the smaller parts on the cars. You could get a 3" backing plate kit to your PC and have a good 3" setup. And you can get a 5" backing plate to a 21mm mkII polisher too and get a the use of the Rupes 6" pads or other that fit the 5"backing plate. All comes down to what you think your technique fits and then what cars you most works on and the budget you have.

Maybe not a specific recommendation but it's much on what would be the good fit for you. So as much of information on what you will have out of the polisher the more specific recommendation you will get.

 

[JMak97008]

Gg 6"

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Since you already have a PC.. purchase a griot HD 3in plate for your PC

As for new machine, anything will compliment what you have.

Makita PO5000C is my choice half the time now a days.

Other being my 21mm with my GG6 with HD 3in plate

 

[PaulMys]

Since you already have a PC.. purchase a griot HD 3in plate for your PC

As for new machine, anything will compliment what you have.

Makita PO5000C is my choice half the time now a days.

Other being my 21mm with my GG6 with HD 3in plate

Exactly what I did with my PC.

And to the OP: You'd really be surprised at how much power the GG6 has over the PC. After trying out a friends GG6, I was blown away at the difference. And with me just doing my own 2 vehicles, it's all the machine I'll ever need IMO.

 

[Franko07]

Exactly what I did with my PC.

And to the OP: You'd really be surprised at how much power the GG6 has over the PC. After trying out a friends GG6, I was blown away at the difference. And with me just doing my own 2 vehicles, it's all the machine I'll ever need IMO.

after looking at the price of the gg6 i may buy it and the Makita P05000c with lake city pads unless someone has evidence that sways me.

 

[PaulMys]

after looking at the price of the gg6 i may buy it and the Makita P05000c with lake city pads unless someone has evidence that sways me.

I've never tried the Makita, so I can't comment other than to say I have not read anything but good things about it from guys that have purchased one.

 

[dlc95]

I haven't tried the Makita, or the Mille yet. I'll probably have the Mille before the Makita though.

I've used the gen 3 gg6 and it wasn't enough of an improvement over the 7424 to warrant purchasing one - for me.

The 3401 however, is an excellent tool. Immensely powerful, and is a huge difference from a random orbital, free spinning pad.

You didn't mention what size plate and pads you have for the 7424.

If you haven't yet used the 5" plate / 5.5" pads on it, you will notice a pretty significant difference from the 6.5" in terms of operator comfort, and overall performance.

There are all sorts of new wool and microfiber pads on the market that offer increased cutting power over traditional foam pad systems.

I urge people who haven't tried it, to consider trying the Meguiar's D300 compound with their 5" microfiber pad and plate system before moving to another tool... But that doesn't usually work for someone that has the hots for a new machine!

 

[Ebg18t]

I vote for the Flex. After I made the change from PC to Flex years ago I found I was accomplishing more in 1/2 the time. Part was improvement in technique, but part was the power of the Flex.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Franko07]

I haven't tried the Makita, or the Mille yet. I'll probably have the Mille before the Makita though.

I've used the gen 3 gg6 and it wasn't enough of an improvement over the 7424 to warrant purchasing one - for me.

The 3401 however, is an excellent tool. Immensely powerful, and is a huge difference from a random orbital, free spinning pad.

You didn't mention what size plate and pads you have for the 7424.

If you haven't yet used the 5" plate / 5.5" pads on it, you will notice a pretty significant difference from the 6.5" in terms of operator comfort, and overall performance.

There are all sorts of new wool and microfiber pads on the market that offer increased cutting power over traditional foam pad systems.

I urge people who haven't tried it, to consider trying the Meguiar's D300 compound with their 5" microfiber pad and plate system before moving to another tool... But that doesn't usually work for someone that has the hots for a new machine!

The main reason for looking into a new polisher is I feel like the PC may have some issues, its plastic cover around the head is starting to break, it gets hotter than it used too and It has a bad vibration that wasn't there...i think it has a bearing going out.



Also what about the 3401...there are several differences between 3401's

If I were to look at 3401 should I get the standard one or the vrg?

 

[dlc95]

The main reason for looking into a new polisher is I feel like the PC may have some issues, its plastic cover around the head is starting to break, it gets hotter than it used too and It has a bad vibration that wasn't there...i think it has a bearing going out.



Also what about the 3401...there are several differences between 3401's

If I were to look at 3401 should I get the standard one or the vrg?

I'm only aware of the 3401 110 volt, and 220 volt (for Europe).

I believe they are all XC 3401 VRG models.

 

[Franko07]

I'm only aware of the 3401 110 volt, and 220 volt (for Europe).

I believe they are all XC 3401 VRG models.

your right, i went back and looked, the difference i was seeing was the rotary and was 3403

 

[WaxMaster1]

The main reason for looking into a new polisher is I feel like the PC may have some issues, its plastic cover around the head is starting to break, it gets hotter than it used too and It has a bad vibration that wasn't there...i think it has a bearing going out.



Also what about the 3401...there are several differences between 3401's

If I were to look at 3401 should I get the standard one or the vrg?

Your Porter Cable may be getting hot, but the FLEX gets really hot in my opinion.

 

[dlc95]

Your Porter Cable may be getting hot, but the FLEX gets really hot in my opinion.

That's true too!

I did another bucket truck tree service truck with it yesterday, and the spindle housing was roasting.

Small price to pay for being able to knock that thing out relatively quickly.

 

[Bruno Soares]

after looking at the price of the gg6 i may buy it and the Makita P05000c with lake city pads unless someone has evidence that sways me.

If you're getting the GG6 and another then get the Flex as the GG6 will help you where no forced rotation is needed and then when needed, you can use the beast. I think that will be better than the more expensive Makita because people say the Makita in free spinning mode is useless due to stalling so you'd only be using it in forced mode anyways which is where the Flex excels.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I vote for the Flex. After I made the change from PC to Flex years ago I found I was accomplishing more in 1/2 the time. Part was improvement in technique, but part was the power of the Flex.

Flex is the way to go. Forced rotation means no worries on less than flat/perfect surfaces. It's powerful and finishes out extremely well when paired with the right pads and technique.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Yes, when it comes to the Makita and free spin, it's worthless for correction, the 5.5mm isn't enough to keep pad rotation..perfect for wood sanding, clay disc , machine sanding and LSP appliction.. I have yet to come across a free spin machine under 8mm useful for paint correction..

Now Makita in forced is the better out of the 3 machines

Side by side does everything the 3401 can. It better with no issues like vibration or heat.

Has most RPM paired with the 2nd most OPM... yields the quickest correction speed.

I believe it's the better designed of the 3 too.
Also the cheapest to buy at 320.

Mille would easily be my 2nd choice.. but it's the most expensive of the 3

Oh another plus for the Makita, you can install a 3in plate to have 3in forced