Looking for a polisher

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Duckyscrubs

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I want to polish my car but I'm not sure where to start. There are a ton of polishing kits on this site but I wanted recommendations on what's great for someone new to this as well as a bang for my buck. I'm working with an 07 sentra now but I'd like a polisher that's gonna last since I'm in the market for a new car.
 
Favorites and opinions are without end here. Anything sold here are excellent and you can't go wrong. Stick with a dual action. IMO long throw 15mm is a wise choice just starting out. There are also Chinese knock offs about half the cost with good reviews on Youtube and Amazon. For me, the fun is in the hunt.
 
Porter Cable 7424 is ok,I have one, but the Griots Garage is suppose to have a little more power for a few extra dollars.

You will definitely need a 5" backing plate for some 5inch pads which you will also need.
Don't bother with the 6"inch backing plate or any 6"pad deals.
I honestly would never mess with any kind of package deals. I looked at all of them and there is always something that just aint right.
 
I make most of my money with a PC 7424, Meguiar's liquids, and Buff and Shine pads...
 
Get a Rupes Mark II you won't regret it.
 
Grab a Griot's GG6. Awesome polisher for a beginner, and the lifetime warranty and Griot's second-to-none customer service seal the deal.
 
PaulMys said:
Grab a Griot's GG6. Awesome polisher for a beginner, and the lifetime warranty and Griot's second-to-none customer service seal the deal.
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ski2 said:
Stick with a Griots GG6 for your first polisher. Here's a write up by Mike Philips that may help--Here's what you need to get into machine polishing - Recommendations for a beginner by Mike Phillips
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:iagree:

purchasing a long throw polisher as a first polisher isn't a good/wise idea, but rather a companion to the GG6 (or similar/smaller stroke DA) to cover most of your basis around the whole vehicle. your limited to areas you can polish, not to mention pad selection as well...
 
PaulMys said:
Grab a Griot's GG6. Awesome polisher for a beginner, and the lifetime warranty and Griot's second-to-none customer service seal the deal.
Click to expand...

When I first got into machine polishing I purchased “GG6” because:

Griot’s Garage 6” Polisher for the lifetime warranty - no need to worry if you plan on having it for a long time.

Customer service is TOP NOTCH!

Super capable for what you’ll most likely need it for.

But know what I know now:

Wish I knew right away to go with a 5” backing plate

Wish I knew to invest in ENOUGH OR PLENTY OF PADS - this is important.

All in all, a splendid machine!
 
spazzz said:
Porter Cable 7424 is ok,I have one, but the Griots Garage is suppose to have a little more power for a few extra dollars.

You will definitely need a 5" backing plate for some 5inch pads which you will also need.
Don't bother with the 6"inch backing plate or any 6"pad deals.
I honestly would never mess with any kind of package deals. I looked at all of them and there is always something that just aint right.
Click to expand...
I've got the same Porter Cable. Have you used any others, and gotten an opinion of them?

I too think it works fine for use on my vehicles, although it would be nice to get them done faster. I have always wondered if I am missing out not having a higher end polisher.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
i started with and still use the porter cable. wait for a good sale and get one of the bundles from ag that comes with some pads and everything you need. find a good polish and wax/seal that you like and have at it. You may also go with in all in one for a first time too depending on your cars condition or your time constraints.

one thing I didn't know starting out is how many pads to use. Get at least 4 polishing pads (white LC's) and at least 2 finishing (black LC's). You only need one finishing pad per vehicle, but you always want to have a spare.

here's where i'd start. also buy a pad brush and a few extra white and maybe orange (if you need them) pads. Assuming you have all the washes, clay bars, towels and buckets.
Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer
 
PaulMys said:
Grab a Griot's GG6. Awesome polisher for a beginner, and the lifetime warranty and Griot's second-to-none customer service seal the deal.
Click to expand...

Dan Tran said:
When I first got into machine polishing I purchased “GG6” because:

Griot’s Garage 6” Polisher for the lifetime warranty - no need to worry if you plan on having it for a long time.

Customer service is TOP NOTCH!

Super capable for what you’ll most likely need it for.

But know what I know now:

Wish I knew right away to go with a 5” backing plate

Wish I knew to invest in ENOUGH OR PLENTY OF PADS - this is important.

All in all, a splendid machine!
Click to expand...

Great advice. I went with a DA from a discount hardware store and swapped in a Lake Country 5" backing plate. Today, I wish I had simply bit the bullet and paid the additional money for a better quality machine.
 
JFire72 said:
I've got the same Porter Cable. Have you used any others, and gotten an opinion of them?

I too think it works fine for use on my vehicles, although it would be nice to get them done faster. I have always wondered if I am missing out not having a higher end polisher.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Man, have a Flex 3401, and Rupes Duetto/Mini, as well as a 21.

Trust me when I say that the PC is a great tool. Even with those heavy hitters I still start with the PC, and usually it is more than enough to get things done.

Much of your success will be attributed to your buffing liquids, pads and technique/understanding of the paint polishing/compounding process.
 
Mike Phillips has many articles on this if you search the forums. I suggest doing some research on machines and then choose according to your budget/work load. I will most definitely suggest that you do not get a kit tho. Kits have samples of what you need, not everything. I would buy what I want separate. And get enough pads.
 
dlc95 said:
Man, have a Flex 3401, and Rupes Duetto/Mini, as well as a 21.

Trust me when I say that the PC is a great tool. Even with those heavy hitters I still start with the PC, and usually it is more than enough to get things done.

Much of your success will be attributed to your buffing liquids, pads and technique/understanding of the paint polishing/compounding process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment!

I am overall happy with the Porter, and as you said the pads can make a difference. I'm in the process of replacing what I've been using with something else, and should be here Thursday.

I've been using one brand for a while now, and haven't been too happy with how they hold up during the process. I tried a different brand for my last stage this weekend, and it was a night and day difference. So, I placed the order for the rest of the pads.

As far as the rest of the process goes, I'm pretty comfortable with how it works now. I do use caution when trying out new compounds and polishes, however, until I know how they work with my machine, pads, and technique.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
I own both the PC and GG6.

Either machine is an excellent choice.

Like dlc95 said, he owns Flex and Rupes. Two serious big-boy machines, yet he's always banging out killer work with just the PC.
 
I think a PC or a GG6 is the best choice for first polisher. People will recommend a Rupes or another large throw- but these machines are limited in what they can do because of the large orbit and the inability to swap to a 3” BP..

The GG6 works almost like a direct drive machine. If you crank it up it’s very difficult to stop rotation. It can correct glass - which is much harder than paint. Plus, you don’t always want a large orbit with a 3” pad - cuz yr using a small pad to begin with because space is tight.

It use my PC or GG6 more than the Rupes. Depending on what I’m doing - it can be faster with a GG6.
 
Grab a GG6 with a 5 inch backing plate and 6 cutting pads and 6 finishing pads. If your vehicle is trashed get 3 microfiber cutting pads. Pick up some Meguires D300, Meguires 105, and Meguires 205 and you have a setup that will correct most anything.
 
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