Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
Makita BO6040 Removing Sanding Marks
Earlier today I tested out the new 3M 6 inch #3000 Foam Finishing Disc now available in single packs plus the 3M 3 inch #3000 Foam Finishing Discs for doing spot repairs, sanding next to edges or in and around tight areas. When I was done I then re-dampsanded the entire panel using the new 3M #5000 Foam Finishing Discs and posted a thread about them here,
3M Trizact 6 Inch 3000 Grit Performance Sanding Disc 01459 - Singles
Since I had a black test panel already for compounding I thought today is a great day to test out the Makita BO6040 Orbital Sander/Polisher.
The backing plate measures approximately 5 3/4" in diameter so 6.5" buffing pads are going to be a good match.
For this test I'm going to use 3 Pro Grade Body Shop products that will tackle just about any product that ever drives into your shop or garage with just about any pad and tool combination known to man.
This is the only picture I took that is out of focus, (sorry), but you get the idea, I primed the 6.5" Orange CCS Foam Cutting Pad and then placed 3 drops of M105 on the pad.
I put the tool into the Forced Rotation Mode and on the highest speed setting which is the 5.0 speed setting and made about 8 section passes and removed all the #5000 Grit sanding marks easily.
Next I primed a 6.5" CCS White Polishing Pad and then placed 3 drops of product on the pad and re-polished the same section.
Here's a tip...
Always wipe compounds and polishes off while they are still wet and the polishing oils will act as lubricants to aid in removal without marring.
Then I sprayed the paint with Diamondite Perfect Vision Glass Cleaner to strip off any polishing oils to inspect the finish.
You can see just a little micro-marring... this is very soft paint so this is normal for a white polishing pad on this paint system.
Next I primed a 6.5" Gray Finishing pad and buffed the paint again...
Looking good! I'll let the pictures do the talking...
On the Autogeek.net Store
Makita BO6040 Orbital Sander/ Polisher
The Makita BO6040 Orbital Polisher is an ingenious polisher that works as an orbital polisher or a forced rotation orbital polisher. The random orbital action is great for finish sanding while the forced rotation setting is fantastic for aggressive swirl and defect removal. The Makita BO6040 Orbital Polisher is like having two machines in one!
An orange knob on the Makita Polisher makes it possible to switch back and forth between random orbital and orbital forced rotation. Just be sure the machine is off when you make the switch. The speed control on the back of the machine allows you to operate at anywhere from 1600 to 5800 OPM, no matter what mode you are in. Use the random orbit mode for gentle polish and wax application and buffing. Use the forced rotation orbit for compounding and scratch removal.
One machine does it all!
Best of all, when the Makita BO6040 is in forced rotation mode, it still orbits to provide the same safeguard against burning the paint as random orbital setting. This lessens the risk of producing swirls while still giving you the cutting power of a forced rotation orbital polisher. You should still take great care when operating the machine in this setting by starting at a low speed. We recommend starting at 2 until you are more comfortable.
The Makita BO6040 Polisher comes with a one year factory warranty and a handy carrying case. It also comes with a wrench to remove the included 6” Hook & Loop backing plate.
The Makita BO6040 replaces two machines, making it a great value. If you do not currently own a buffer, or you are not sure if your vehicle’s scratches will come out with an ordinary dual-action polisher, the Makita BO6040 is an excellent choice. Start out with the random orbital setting and a low-cut polish. The general rule is if your fingernail catches the scratch, you’ll need to do some compounding to totally remove it. If the random orbital setting is not working, just turn the machine off, turn the orange knob, and turn the polisher back on. The orbital motion with forced rotation will level the scratch until it is completely eliminated.
If you only buy one polisher, make it the Makita BO6040 Dual-Action Polisher. This one machine will take care of all your detailing jobs, large or small, with just the turn of a knob.

Earlier today I tested out the new 3M 6 inch #3000 Foam Finishing Disc now available in single packs plus the 3M 3 inch #3000 Foam Finishing Discs for doing spot repairs, sanding next to edges or in and around tight areas. When I was done I then re-dampsanded the entire panel using the new 3M #5000 Foam Finishing Discs and posted a thread about them here,
3M Trizact 6 Inch 3000 Grit Performance Sanding Disc 01459 - Singles
Since I had a black test panel already for compounding I thought today is a great day to test out the Makita BO6040 Orbital Sander/Polisher.

The backing plate measures approximately 5 3/4" in diameter so 6.5" buffing pads are going to be a good match.


For this test I'm going to use 3 Pro Grade Body Shop products that will tackle just about any product that ever drives into your shop or garage with just about any pad and tool combination known to man.

This is the only picture I took that is out of focus, (sorry), but you get the idea, I primed the 6.5" Orange CCS Foam Cutting Pad and then placed 3 drops of M105 on the pad.

I put the tool into the Forced Rotation Mode and on the highest speed setting which is the 5.0 speed setting and made about 8 section passes and removed all the #5000 Grit sanding marks easily.


Next I primed a 6.5" CCS White Polishing Pad and then placed 3 drops of product on the pad and re-polished the same section.

Here's a tip...
Always wipe compounds and polishes off while they are still wet and the polishing oils will act as lubricants to aid in removal without marring.

Then I sprayed the paint with Diamondite Perfect Vision Glass Cleaner to strip off any polishing oils to inspect the finish.

You can see just a little micro-marring... this is very soft paint so this is normal for a white polishing pad on this paint system.

Next I primed a 6.5" Gray Finishing pad and buffed the paint again...

Looking good! I'll let the pictures do the talking...













On the Autogeek.net Store
Makita BO6040 Orbital Sander/ Polisher
The Makita BO6040 Orbital Polisher is an ingenious polisher that works as an orbital polisher or a forced rotation orbital polisher. The random orbital action is great for finish sanding while the forced rotation setting is fantastic for aggressive swirl and defect removal. The Makita BO6040 Orbital Polisher is like having two machines in one!
An orange knob on the Makita Polisher makes it possible to switch back and forth between random orbital and orbital forced rotation. Just be sure the machine is off when you make the switch. The speed control on the back of the machine allows you to operate at anywhere from 1600 to 5800 OPM, no matter what mode you are in. Use the random orbit mode for gentle polish and wax application and buffing. Use the forced rotation orbit for compounding and scratch removal.
One machine does it all!
Best of all, when the Makita BO6040 is in forced rotation mode, it still orbits to provide the same safeguard against burning the paint as random orbital setting. This lessens the risk of producing swirls while still giving you the cutting power of a forced rotation orbital polisher. You should still take great care when operating the machine in this setting by starting at a low speed. We recommend starting at 2 until you are more comfortable.
The Makita BO6040 Polisher comes with a one year factory warranty and a handy carrying case. It also comes with a wrench to remove the included 6” Hook & Loop backing plate.
The Makita BO6040 replaces two machines, making it a great value. If you do not currently own a buffer, or you are not sure if your vehicle’s scratches will come out with an ordinary dual-action polisher, the Makita BO6040 is an excellent choice. Start out with the random orbital setting and a low-cut polish. The general rule is if your fingernail catches the scratch, you’ll need to do some compounding to totally remove it. If the random orbital setting is not working, just turn the machine off, turn the orange knob, and turn the polisher back on. The orbital motion with forced rotation will level the scratch until it is completely eliminated.
If you only buy one polisher, make it the Makita BO6040 Dual-Action Polisher. This one machine will take care of all your detailing jobs, large or small, with just the turn of a knob.
- 2-mode switch for "random orbit" action (finish sanding) and "random orbit with forced rotation" action (aggressive sanding and polishing)
- Superior engineering and design reduces vibration by 20% and noise levels almost 2 to 1 over the competition
- Variable speed control dial (1,600 - 5,800 OPM; 180 - 670 RPM) for various applications.
- Compact tool height (5-3/16") increases efficiency and maneuverability.
- Small diameter barrel grip for optimum comfort and control.
- Uses convenient hook & loop abrasive sanding discs and accessories (hook & loop backing plate included).
- Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system with built in dust port for a cleaner work environment.
- Includes: 1 ea. Abrasive Disc (#120; 794610-1), Hex Wrench (783203-8), Rubber Pad (193286-4), Wrench Holder (410047-0) and Plastic Tool Case (824591-5).
Comes with a nice Plastic Tool Case too!

