DA for waxing only

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Vetteman61

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I've read literal hours about the Flex 3401, GG and various other DA polishers but I haven't found a definitive answer to my specific question:

I want an orbital polisher to only apply wax. I have a rotary that I can use for any corrective applications. The most I might ever use the orbital for is to use some "cleaner wax." Would the GG be enough for this type of use? From what I have read, the Flex 3401 might be a bit overkill if all I want to do is apply wax. I have several old cars, like a '57 Chevrolet for example. Will the non direct drive like the GG be enough to do the complex shapes like the corners of the fins and the rolls of the fenders on a '57 Chevrolet, or would I have to have the direct power of a Flex 3401 for this type of use?

Right now I feel as though a GG or any of the others would be enough for my needs, but I haven't been able to really find a definitive answer to this question.

Thanks,
Brandon
 
Since you are not intending to do any correction, but simply spread product around on the paint, you should not worry about whether or not the pad will be able to rotate on the complex shapes since it is not going to cause you any grief if it happens to 'stall' on those spots. This would be particularly annoying if you were correcting those areas and were unable to achieve pad rotation, but for sealant/wax... not an issue IMO.
 
If you're just looking to spread wax, get a harbor freight da, a 3.5" backing plate and some 4" pads and you'll be set. If you want to step it up theirs the Griots 3" or. Porter cable with a small backing plate.

Good luck
 
I agree with zmcgovern, but I really like spreading a nice Carnuba by hand.
 
Hi Brandon,

If you only want to spread out a coat of wax, then what you want is a dual action polisher like the Porter Cable...


Like this...

1939 Lincoln Zephyr - Swirls Removed - Modeled by Nicole



How To wax and seal the paint
(Pages 106 to 110 in my how-to book)

Here's Nicole wearing a microfiber glove to hold the Souveran Paste Wax as she applies some wax to the face of Tommy's Lake Country Blue Foam Flat Finishing or Waxing Pad.
1939LincolnZephyr048.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr049.jpg



Next Tommy and I machine apply the wax to the entire finish...
1939LincolnZephyr050.jpg



What's nice about DA Polishers like the PC, Megs and Griot's units is they are light enough and compact in size enough that most people can easily hold them with one hand which makes machine applying the wax fast and easy.
1939LincolnZephyr051.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr052.jpg



When working on show cars I prefer to every step by machine...
1939LincolnZephyr053.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr054.jpg






How to correctly fold and use a microfiber towel
(Pages 87 to 89 in my how-to book)

1939LincolnZephyr055.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr056.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr057.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr058.jpg


1939LincolnZephyr059.jpg




1939LincolnZephyr066.jpg



1939LincolnZephyr062.jpg





In most of my write-ups you'll see me using the Porter Cable without the handle as the back of the body and housing are smooth and it fits my hand really well.

I like to use this especially for the vertical sides as I can easily hold it in one hand...


:xyxthumbs:
 
Of course too, one can even use the ancient Waxcoa, Craftsman, and even think Porter Cable had one too way back.

Back in the day, these used to use the Terry Cloth, or faux Lambswool slip on Bonnets, and today I believe that even MF Bonnets can be gotten, and gotten right here. Common sizes were the smaller 9", and the larger 11" Machines. (I still have both, and even went as far as custom making my own ultra plush "Cannon Bath Towel Cotton Bonnets when I used to do Upholstery work for a few years)

For applying Waxes, and even combos of DIY mixtures of Glazes, and Waxes (Pastes or Liquids), these worked perfectly fine, save a lot of arm, and handwork, and for waxing very large vehicles, boats, or large panels on things like Motor Homes, and Pickup Trucks, they'll save you mucho time, and sweat.

I have used these after the use of a Rotary Machine, and with the right techniques, and products, they can remove light buffer trails-holograms.

If you want dual purpose though, and wish for a machine to also do correction with Polishes, then without a doubt the newer DA Machines from Meg's, Griots, Porter Cable, Harbor Freight, etc that other folks mention earlier would be a much better way to go. Mark
 
Thanks everyone very much for the replies. I hope I don't sound too stupid here but I want to make sure I'm not confusing any of the vernacular. When you said If I just want to spread out some wax, does that refer to machine polishing? I'm not familiar with others techniques so I thought it could be possible that some use a machine to spread their wax before hand buffing. I have always hand waxed my own cars but now as I've gotten older and my body and time are more limited I'm looking to start using machines. Something like a Groit's Garage DA would be perfectly fine to substitute a hand wax? Also, perhaps a very rare "cleaner wax."

Thank you,
Brandon
 
Vetteman61 said:
Something like a Groit's Garage DA would be perfectly fine to substitute a hand wax? Also, perhaps a very rare "cleaner wax."

Thank you,
Brandon
Click to expand...
it no only would work but is the best one out there - strap on a soft pad and wax twice as quickly and a more even coat of wax than by hand....

stop being "in the dark" and learn here:

Dual Action Orbital Polisher Guide: how to remove swirls, scratches, & oxidation with an orbital buffer. Porter Cable 7424, foam pads, backing plate,
 
OK, thanks guys. Growing up, my father owned a new car dealership so I've been using an orbital to compound and wax cars since I was about 15. I've always hand waxed my own cars, so I'm completely new to the DA world and their different uses and features.

Thanks for the help,
Brandon
 
I almost forgot. As long as I'm here. In the past I have enjoyed the results from products like Mother's Carnuba Wax. My wife and I have about 4 daily drivers and I like for them to be as protected as possible. I have been using liquids in the past due to ease of applications, however with a DA I may go back to paste.

There are so many products on the market now it's a bit overwhelming to jump right in. I've read the 5 inch or 5.5 inch backing pad is a good overall size for waxing. I'm leaning toward a Groit's Garage DA. Could someone point me in the direction of a good backing pad and type of pad to purchase along with my new DA (I'd like to order them at once since there is a discount available). What we used to use at the dealership (which is what I still use) may all be antiquated these days.


Thanks,
Brandon
 
Vetteman61 said:
I've been using an orbital to compound and wax cars since I was about 15.

so I'm completely new to the DA world and their different uses and features.

Thanks for the help,
Brandon
Click to expand...


????

The griots is an orbital.....
 
Sorry, I meant to say I've been using a rotary... I've never used an orbital, excepting many years ago my father had a "jitterbug" that felt as thought it weighed 20 pounds. It took both arms to hold it on a vertical panel.
 
Vetteman61 said:
I've read the 5 inch or 5.5 inch backing pad is a good overall size for waxing. I'm leaning toward a Griot's Garage DA.

Could someone point me in the direction of a good backing pad and type of pad to purchase along with my new DA


Thanks,
Brandon
Click to expand...


You know.... I have an article on that...


5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers


I'm going to redo my article list to make it less overwhelming. For just about any general and common question posted to the forum there's an article and most have pictures, videos and links to the products.

Link to my list of articles in in my Signature Line which is at the bottom of every post I've made on the forum.

:dblthumb2:
 
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