Does everyone really need a $100+ DA buffer?

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defstatic

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I am sure this has been asked before and I apologize for it, but I have been watching a lot of videos on detailing and I am wondering if every beginner/home user needs a fancy $100+ DA buffer? Or does it really make the difference?

I am looking at just doing some minor paint correction and polishing. Medium size cars.

I was looking at the Griot's 6" one becuase I found one half price on eBay but missed out on it. Now I am wondering if just getting a Ryobi 6" cordless orbital would do the job just fine.

Keeping in mind I used to correct and buff by hand 20 years ago LOL.
 
The answer is "NO" you don't. The Griot 6" is a great buy with a lifetime warranty, but it's in the $100+ category.

I'm a weekend mechanic and have Snap-On tools..do I need it to get the job done?
 
Yeah, I really wish I didn't miss out on the 6" griot. It was barely used and half the price new.

I just think anything like it is a bit overkill for my needs. And I would be tempted to start doing everyone's car LOL
 
I haven’t used my buffers in years due to washing marring free but if you do any kind of polishing for money you’re gonna need one.
 
Depends on what you do too. If you get into coatings and the like, you're gonna a need a buffer for sure.
 
Simple answer: yes. It’s one of the items you will never regret if you take detailing serious in any way.
 
I agree with acuRAS82. Now do you need to buy a Rupes MarkIII? No, but I tell everyone that asks what they should start with. I tell them buy a GG6. Can change backing plate sizes, has great power, easy to handle and the amazing warranty. While I don’t use mine on every job, I always have it with me because it can handle damn near anything.
 
^^Agree, if you could find a GG6 somehow that would be great. Otherwise I assume the G9 is comparable. Griots is good enough for my personal care. Maybe someday I’ll get a Flex but that would be purely for fun, not for necessity.
 
Agree x3. Lol

I have both the GG6 and the the new G9.

If you can find a 6, grab it. Such an awesome machine.

That said, the new G9 is a pretty sweet machine for the price. And I had a great time using it this past 4th of July weekend.
 
Rsurfer said:
I'm a weekend mechanic and have Snap-On tools..do I need it to get the job done?
Click to expand...

Well, if you have rusty, rounded over nuts then those flank-drives are a must. So yes........ :)

(I'm a Snap-On guy too).
 
I got a the cheapest Torq originally, and I hated it. So I swapped for a G6, and I love it. I think a good tool makes all the difference, and I’m a total novice. I would not cheap out on the buffer. If you think about it, the 60 or 80 more you spend on the buffer is pretty minor compared to how much you spend on compounds, polishes, pads, brush, towels, etc.


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No matter which one you buy..... your rotator cuff will be happy for years to come!
 
GG6 is a good buy-cheap too for the result you'll get from using it.

Plus you'll need pads-get 6 maybe 8 for polishing and 1 for wax or sealant. You'll be set.

Tom
 
jdgamble said:
I got a the cheapest Torq originally, and I hated it. So I swapped for a G6, and I love it. I think a good tool makes all the difference, and I’m a total novice. I would not cheap out on the buffer. If you think about it, the 60 or 80 more you spend on the buffer is pretty minor compared to how much you spend on compounds, polishes, pads, brush, towels, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
Click to expand...

Totally agree.

I learned many decades ago to not go the cheap route on tools.

There are certain times when you can spend less. e.g: A guy with a 1/4 acre lawn doesn't need a 54" zero-turn mower.

But, the one he buys should not be the $109 one from Amazon. That one will fail in short order, and then he will (hopefully) get smart and buy the $239 model he should have bought in the first place.

Being "thrifty" the first time actually caused frustration, and an extra $109 for the privilege of learning the lesson.

Point being, if it is a machine you plan on having for years, don't cheap out and regret it later.
 
It’s like tools you buy from Harbor Freight: they are okay for very occasional use but you probably shouldn’t rely on them if you plan on needing them for use every day.
 
I agree with Paul. If I could talk to myself back when I started, I would've spent the money on the Zentool 21mm I have, then a good 3 inch mini polisher off the bat. Then again hind sight is always 20/20
 
All good advice. My vote would go to the G9 - yes, only a 5 or 6” machine (not 3” capable), but you’ll be able to cover 95% of your projects and you can’t beat the customer service/warranty.

I’d add that the cordless Ryobi you mention is really just a wax spreader - I wouldn’t bank on doing any real correction with it. Better to put that $40 or whatever to a better machine or supplies.
 
Funny, in the last few years I've questioned whether I need a house to live in. I've kind of been intrigued by the nomad life style. I came to the conclusion that I would miss not being able to live in a permanent structure at least part time.

Not once have I questioned my need for the Flex 3401 (and actually other tools I own). It may sound like I'm being cute. But, I'm very serious.

We're all different.
 
Need vs want. If you think you'll use it, then it falls under the need category. Or if you think you might be able to use it for something that your wife wants done, it falls into the need category. A polisher/sander can be used on so many different type of home projects.
 
If you are going to get a DA, which I highly recommend if you're going to try any sort of correction, then I would say go with a good polisher. I am the poster child for doing it all wrong.

About 7 years ago, I decided I wanted to try polishing out my own vehicles. I was a little risk-averse and not sure I wanted to invest money into something I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy doing, or could even get the results I wanted. With that in mind, after a little research I ended up at my local Harbor Freight store buying their DA polisher. Between a sale and a coupon, it was well below $100. I also picked up a stash of pads for very cheap.

The quick lesson learned was the pads are total garbage which barely survived a job without falling apart. Picking up quality Lake Country pads solved the problem and saved me money in the long run. The longer lesson was the polisher itself. While the HF polisher is comparable to some from a power perspective, the ergonomics are pretty bad and it's pretty crude: the tool is heavy, loud, and isn't very smooth. By the time I finish any SUV, I'm worn out.

At the time I bought the polisher, I looked at other here like the GG6 and the Meguiars DA. I came very close to buying them but went cheap and never pulled the trigger. Years later I regret the decision. My polisher is still going, but I really want something better and realize I would have been much happier, and more comfortable, if I had gone with a good polisher from the start. Right now, I'm simply waiting for the new GG15 to be released, so I can pick it up and demote my HF DA to 3" small area and LSP application duty.
 
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