Can I use this to polish?

[InTheBuff]

This link is to a tool manufacturer's site:
Grex Power Tools - AOS368 - 2" 105° Angle Random Orbital Sander

The most popular of our angled air tools, the AOS368 is a compact smooth operating and powerful random orbital sander. Easily attach the hook and loop sanding paper of your choice. Optional 3" pad and 1" pads are available. This product is part of our line of patented 105° angled air powered tools.

I'm always confused since folks have used PC sanders as polishers from way back when.

This little guy is intriguing because of the optional pads and extension:
http://www.grexusa.com/grexusa/accessory_type.php5?accessory_type=AOS368 Accessories

It uses a decent amount of air.
And, while I haven't found a source for 1" diameter polishing pads, it's nice to know that I could if they were ever available.

So, bottom line, from a technical, should I do it perspective, can I use something like this (i.e. a random orbit sander) as a polisher for paint?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

This link is to a tool manufacturer's site:
Grex Power Tools - AOS368 - 2" 105° Angle Random Orbital Sander




I'm always confused since folks have used PC sanders as polishers from way back when.

This little guy is intriguing because of the optional pads and extension:
http://www.grexusa.com/grexusa/accessory_type.php5?accessory_type=AOS368 Accessories

It uses a decent amount of air.
And, while I haven't found a source for 1" diameter polishing pads, it's nice to know that I could if they were ever available.

So, bottom line, from a technical, should I do it perspective, can I use something like this (i.e. a random orbit sander) as a polisher for paint?

I could see sanding with a 1" diameter pad for isolating your work area to the minimum area neccassary to reomve a dirt nib in paint, or some other small defect.

As for polishing paint with a 1" diamter buffing pad I don't think this would work very well at all practically speaking, there just isn't enough subtance working for you in contact with the paint. Maybe for a model car?

I just wrote an article that shares small pads, sanding discs and tools for working on isolated defects and the pictures do a good job of showing you just how small 3" diameter working surfaces area.

Meguiar's New 3 Inch Professional Headlight & Spot Repair Kit

Here's just a few pictures from the article,

In my humble opinion, about as small as you want to go for "polishing", (not sanding), is the Griot's Garage 3" polishing pads...


1994 Porsche Detailed for "Operation Comfort" Modeled by Brittany from Stuart, Florida

To work on the paint under the whale tail, I used the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher...

The paint around the louvers and the louvers were the most difficult areas to work on and while the paint was greatly improved in this area there are still deeper scratches remaining that can be removed but will require more time to work out carefully by hand or machine...

 

[Pockets@PoorboysWorld]

I'm going to agree with Mike on this one. Working with such a small area of a pad is going to take forever and wouldn't be practical for polishing a car. Look for somewhere along the lines of a 5.5" to 6.5" pad :dblthumb2:

 

[allenk4]

Has anyone used the GREX?

It appears that the unit can use 1", 2" and 3"

Have you used it with the available extensions (1", 2" & 3")?

Seems like an economical alternative to the Rupes TA50

 

[allenk4]

Where are people getting 1" and 2" pads for the new Rupes Pneumatic Polishers?