Buffer / Polisher

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MRKensRT

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Morning,

I am a begginer for polisher / buffer. I would like to buy a kit thats for the novice detailer. I jus want something that is easy to use and will not get me in trouble. I have seen alot of polisher/buffers here on this site but need some help before making the jump.

THANKS !!!!!
 
When I got mine I made my own kit. I got the porter cable along with a six pack of pads, and the xmt conditioner and cleaner. I then picked out my own polish and wax.

The kit that bobby posted is a good starter kit though.
 
I purchased a PC7424 kit through AG. I like the PC but found out that I did not like the 6.5 inch pads that came in the kit. I ended up buying 5.5 inch pads. I believe I have seen posts on the 5.5 inch pads being recommended for the PC. I am new to this so I am sure that others that have more experience will give better input.
 
Is it ok for the beginner to jump to the rotary?
 
I originally learned on a rotary back in 1993, so sure. Although this is when I was in school for auto body repair. We made lots of test panels that we painted ourselves. I would not recommend going straight to a car with a rotary though.

When I got back in to detailing recently, I purchased a PC to work with first so I could vet the feel of it again. Things have come a long way since the mid 90's. My trusty old rotary was stolen, so I just purchased a new one to get back in to rotary use.

If you do decide to get a rotary, pick up some junk panels from a salvage yard and practice on those for a long time.
 
M.P. Cobra Fan said:
I originally learned on a rotary back in 1993, so sure. Although this is when I was in school for auto body repair. We made lots of test panels that we painted ourselves. I would not recommend going straight to a car with a rotary though.

When I got back in to detailing recently, I purchased a PC to work with first so I could vet the feel of it again. Things have come a long way since the mid 90's. My trusty old rotary was stolen, so I just purchased a new one to get back in to rotary use.

If you do decide to get a rotary, pick up some junk panels from a salvage yard and practice on those for a long time.
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Thank you for your advise. :)
 
You can't go wrong with the PC7424. It's a great machine and if you're a newb it will keep you out of trouble. Stay with 5.5" pads and experiment with different materials until you get the results you want. It is best to stay within product lines as you go through different stages of correction. The manufacturers design their materials to work together.
 
If I bought my first combo today heres what I would order personally:

Griots Random Orbital Buffer
5 inch backing plate
5.5 inch Hydro Tech or Flat Pads
Menzerna SIP Polish
Menzerna 085rd

Now thats a combo that will please all, and also makes it fun and easy with noticable differences.
 
nava222 said:
Is it ok for the beginner to jump to the rotary?
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Yes it is!

DA polishers are relatively new and for a long time the rotary was the only choice we had.

Start slow and proceed with caution. There's plenty of reading here and on the Internet so educate yourself a little then move forward....:props:

Oh, by the way; today's rotary's are much easier to learn and come up to speed than the ones I learned on....
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
If I bought my first combo today heres what I would order personally:

Griots Random Orbital Buffer
5 inch backing plate
5.5 inch Hydro Tech or Flat Pads
Menzerna SIP Polish
Menzerna 085rd

Now thats a combo that will please all, and also makes it fun and easy with noticable differences.
Click to expand...

Hmm..Never tried the Menzerna products. You really like them...
 
dbbrooks said:
Hmm..Never tried the Menzerna products. You really like them...
Click to expand...

I actually prefer them over Megs combo which others often suggest. Mernzerna just works well and the ceramiclear polishes (SIP, Nano, 085rd) just rock. PowerFinish for a one step product on most paints (except real hard coats like my Vette) is also a great polish. Best part, they all finish down so well and amp up gloss and reflection.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I actually prefer them over Megs combo which others often suggest. Mernzerna just works well and the ceramiclear polishes (SIP, Nano, 085rd) just rock. PowerFinish for a one step product on most paints (except real hard coats like my Vette) is also a great polish. Best part, they all finish down so well and amp up gloss and reflection.
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Thanks, I'll give them a try. I still have a lot of XMT to use up first though. Right now I'm totally bummed because I lost my three AG bucks cards. UGH!
 
I have been wanting to try Menzerna products for a while now. Might have to do my third AG order in two days.
 
THANKS !!!!
Does AG have a payroll deduction program :)
 
I'm with killrwheels........Once you use Menzerna polishes you realize there is no reason to continue the search.
 
I don't think starting with the rotary is an issue under certain circumstances. For me, I first learned on a rotary...but I had someone helping me out and giving me tips.

As far as going into using a rotary blindly...I wouldn't recommend it. But, that doesn't mean you can't do it. It's certainly not rocket science. If you go slow, and educate yourself on how to correctly use products, and focus on technique...you should be just fine.

If you are planning on experimenting with a rotary on a customers vehicle...THAT I would stay far away from. You don't want to do that for sure. You will make mistakes. You will get puzzled, and you'll have to figure it out. But, you may need some advice, or tips before you figure out why that vehicle is swirled, and what you have to do to fix it. So, just leave a customer out of it...and you're all good.

The main issue is keeping control of the buffer. You guide the buffer...you don't force it, and you don't let it get away. A rotary is a piece of cake to operate once you get a feel for it. You should be able to glide a buffer around the hood of a vehicle with one hand effortlessly (not that you should, but you know what I mean). Practice your technique with a glaze and a soft pad. Once you're comfortable, experiment with compound, different pads, swirl remover, sealant, etc, etc. You'll get it down! Good luck.:dblthumb2:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I don't think starting with the rotary is an issue under certain circumstances. For me, I first learned on a rotary...but I had someone helping me out and giving me tips.

As far as going into using a rotary blindly...I wouldn't recommend it. But, that doesn't mean you can't do it. It's certainly not rocket science. If you go slow, and educate yourself on how to correctly use products, and focus on technique...you should be just fine.

If you are planning on experimenting with a rotary on a customers vehicle...THAT I would stay far away from. You don't want to do that for sure. You will make mistakes. You will get puzzled, and you'll have to figure it out. But, you may need some advice, or tips before you figure out why that vehicle is swirled, and what you have to do to fix it. So, just leave a customer out of it...and you're all good.

The main issue is keeping control of the buffer. You guide the buffer...you don't force it, and you don't let it get away. A rotary is a piece of cake to operate once you get a feel for it. You should be able to glide a buffer around the hood of a vehicle with one hand effortlessly (not that you should, but you know what I mean). Practice your technique with a glaze and a soft pad. Once you're comfortable, experiment with compound, different pads, swirl remover, sealant, etc, etc. You'll get it down! Good luck.:dblthumb2:
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great advice to practice with a glaze and finishing pad. luckily I have a 9 year old weather torn jeep that i dont mind burning up, so that will be my testbed.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I actually prefer them over Megs combo which others often suggest. Mernzerna just works well and the ceramiclear polishes (SIP, Nano, 085rd) just rock. PowerFinish for a one step product on most paints (except real hard coats like my Vette) is also a great polish. Best part, they all finish down so well and amp up gloss and reflection.
Click to expand...

I agree, for me personally , they are just easier to work with, and make less of a mess. I never have to worry that i'm dry buffing. But I will admit that i dont have what people call a solid system down with the megs. I just bought big bottle of the 105 and 205 in hopes to use them more, as correcting paint on the german cars paint I have is real time consuming with some of the traditional polish's. I know for sure that 105 has all the menzerna polish's beat when it comes down to cutting speed (on these cars). I just dont want to remove more clear than I really need to.
 
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