I have used the Griots' 3' buffer on about 6 sets of headlamps with great results. For sanding I use a 2 3/4" backing plate
2-3/4 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Backing Plate . This is a rotary plate equipted with a DA adapter
D.A Adapter 5/8" X 11 This combination adds an extra inch or so to the distance from the buffer to the hook and loop. The extra room allows a better grip and better control of the buffer. Once the bp is fitted to the buffer attach a Maguiars 3" foam interface to the bp apply paper and start sanding. Apply light pressure, a speed of 3-4 works for me. Too much pressure and the buffer will bog down. The sandpaper clogs really quick, an air gun or a pad cleaning brush clears the paper on the fly and greatly extends it use. When I get up to to the 3000 grit I apply a little water with a spray bottle.
Water and electricity are a really bad mix. If you dampsand be very careful to keep the buffer away from the water. The longer reach rotary backing plate helps here.
For polishing I change over to a 3 1/2" bp and use 105/205 with orange/white or a green pad. Polishing takes longer with the Griot 3" polisher. If I am in a hurry I will use rotary. A 3" plate on a rotary can do damage to plastic in a hurry, slow and easy here.
For masking I use 18" "Road Wrap" applied as needed and trim out the headlamp shape with a box cutter. I seal with spar varnish in a rattle can.
The basics here are the same, just with a twist or two of my own. Hope you like some of this, hope it helps.
