Im in the market for my first polisher/buffer and wanted to know which one or ones are the best in general or for me. Somehow i have some old 7 inch Vector profesional polisher which i have never used and probably will never use unless you guys tell me that i should use it. Im welling to spend as much money as i need to get a quality polisher that will last forever and be efficient enough if i ever make my hobby into a small business (years to come). :buffing:
What Polisher Or Buffer Should I Get?
- Thread starter iStig
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #3
if i were to buy one, what compounds and cutting pads do i need, have not jumped into the polishing world yet.
refreshauto
New member
- Feb 19, 2014
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go with either the Rupes entire system or the Flex 3401 with the hybrid pads, you cannot go wrong with either one.
To be honest I would grab a rupes if its your first polisher. The flex 3401 is good but takes some getting used to. The rupes 21 or 15 will give you tons of cutting power and very easy to use. Pad wise the rupes are good but so are the lake country ccs and hybrid pads.
Tato
New member
- Nov 27, 2013
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My answer is guided through your statement 'Im willing to spend as much money as i need to get a quality polisher that will last forever and be efficient enough'...
You need this (follow me):
Polisher and backing plates
Flex 3401 Polisher
Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer
Changeable backing plate system
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System
Optional to start with, but very useful and must have in the future, 4 3/8" plate:
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX
Pads in 6.5"
2 units orange cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)
2 units white polishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)
2 units black finishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)
(Optionals / but great addition)
1 unit 6" Hybrid Blue Wool Pad
6 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Wool Pad (Single)
2 units blue light cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)
Pads in 5"
2 units orange
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)
2 units white
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)
2 units black
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)
(Optional / but great addition)
2 units blue
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)
Pads in 4"
To be able to tackle almost every spot at most cars, get a 6 pack of 4" CCS pads,
Follow the colors above, 2 orange, 2 white, 2 black/gray
Lake Country 4 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!
Polishes
*Order 16oz as suggested, and re-order what you feel to be using more.
*All suggested are made by Menzerna
FG400 Compound (cutting polish)
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound
PF2500 Polish
Menzerna Power Finish PO 203, one step polish, swirl remover, finishing polish, car polish, german car polish, menzerna polishing compounds, power
SF4000 Finishing polish
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish
Owning an AIO product will allow you to do fast turnarounds. It'll light polish, clean, and seal the paint in 1 easy and fast step.
Sealing polish / Cleaner Wax / All-in-one (AIO) Polish:
Try XMT360
XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.
or BlackFire Total Polish and Seal
BLACKFIRE Total Polish & Seal, polish and wax, cleaner wax, car polish
Wax and Sealant
You'll need to protect, seal and add the last drip of gloss, I'm recommending a wax and a sealant, get both if possible.
Good Wax Menzerna Color Lock
Menzerna Color Lock Carnauba Wax, menzerna car wax, carnauba car wax
New and Improved DP Policoat Sealant
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant, polymer paint sealant, auto paint sealant, DP Policoat paint sealant, paint sealer
Microfiber Towels
Get at least 6 units of quality microfiber towels to start with. After you start working you may feel the need for more. Reserve your best towels to remove polish residue.
Recommendations (there are many others!):
4 units Purple plush towels (2 each size)
Cobra Deluxe 600 Microfiber Combo, 4 microfiber buffing towels, microfiber detailing towels, cobra microfiber
3 units Gold Plush towels
Cobra Gold Plush Microfiber Towels, Cobra Microfiber Buffing Towels, Cobra Microfiber car detailing cloths
A blue towel to remove wax (but can be used to virtually anything, just a suggestion of color coding
Microfiber Wax Removal Towel, buffing cloth
You can never have too many quality MF towels.
If you agree with that (lol!), get 3x small Gold plush, they are very handy
Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel, microfiber buffing towel, micro fiber towel
With those suggested you'll be able to work with all products suggested above.
Hope that helps, also willing to see your first show and shine thread!
Good luck,
Kind Regards.
You need this (follow me):
Polisher and backing plates
Flex 3401 Polisher
Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer
Changeable backing plate system
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System
Optional to start with, but very useful and must have in the future, 4 3/8" plate:
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX
Pads in 6.5"
2 units orange cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)
2 units white polishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)
2 units black finishing pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)
(Optionals / but great addition)
1 unit 6" Hybrid Blue Wool Pad
6 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Wool Pad (Single)
2 units blue light cutting pads
6.5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)
Pads in 5"
2 units orange
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single)
2 units white
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish White Pad (Single)
2 units black
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Black Pad (Single)
(Optional / but great addition)
2 units blue
5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Blue Pad (Single)
Pads in 4"
To be able to tackle almost every spot at most cars, get a 6 pack of 4" CCS pads,
Follow the colors above, 2 orange, 2 white, 2 black/gray
Lake Country 4 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!
Polishes
*Order 16oz as suggested, and re-order what you feel to be using more.
*All suggested are made by Menzerna
FG400 Compound (cutting polish)
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound
PF2500 Polish
Menzerna Power Finish PO 203, one step polish, swirl remover, finishing polish, car polish, german car polish, menzerna polishing compounds, power
SF4000 Finishing polish
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish
Owning an AIO product will allow you to do fast turnarounds. It'll light polish, clean, and seal the paint in 1 easy and fast step.
Sealing polish / Cleaner Wax / All-in-one (AIO) Polish:
Try XMT360
XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.
or BlackFire Total Polish and Seal
BLACKFIRE Total Polish & Seal, polish and wax, cleaner wax, car polish
Wax and Sealant
You'll need to protect, seal and add the last drip of gloss, I'm recommending a wax and a sealant, get both if possible.
Good Wax Menzerna Color Lock
Menzerna Color Lock Carnauba Wax, menzerna car wax, carnauba car wax
New and Improved DP Policoat Sealant
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant, polymer paint sealant, auto paint sealant, DP Policoat paint sealant, paint sealer
Microfiber Towels
Get at least 6 units of quality microfiber towels to start with. After you start working you may feel the need for more. Reserve your best towels to remove polish residue.
Recommendations (there are many others!):
4 units Purple plush towels (2 each size)
Cobra Deluxe 600 Microfiber Combo, 4 microfiber buffing towels, microfiber detailing towels, cobra microfiber
3 units Gold Plush towels
Cobra Gold Plush Microfiber Towels, Cobra Microfiber Buffing Towels, Cobra Microfiber car detailing cloths
A blue towel to remove wax (but can be used to virtually anything, just a suggestion of color coding
Microfiber Wax Removal Towel, buffing cloth
You can never have too many quality MF towels.
If you agree with that (lol!), get 3x small Gold plush, they are very handy
Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel, microfiber buffing towel, micro fiber towel
With those suggested you'll be able to work with all products suggested above.
Hope that helps, also willing to see your first show and shine thread!
Good luck,
Kind Regards.
Figure out your budget.
If it's correction power you want then 3401/21ES. If you want a good all around performer on a budget then GG/7424XP...or upgrade to a Duetto which has the same compact body of the GG/7424XP but smoother operation. Or a 3401/or21es/or15es & mini combo would get you into those tight spaces and cover the larger panels as well. You can never have too much versatility.
If it's correction power you want then 3401/21ES. If you want a good all around performer on a budget then GG/7424XP...or upgrade to a Duetto which has the same compact body of the GG/7424XP but smoother operation. Or a 3401/or21es/or15es & mini combo would get you into those tight spaces and cover the larger panels as well. You can never have too much versatility.
Kamakaz1961
New member
- Aug 23, 2013
- 4,389
- 0
Flex 3401 VRG, Get all the different size backing plates Flex, Lake Country, Menzerna FG400, Menzerna SF4500 (or SF4000). Lake Country Pads Varying sizes....Orange, White, Black or Red, and Gold Jeweling Pads hybrid, CCS, or Flat your preference.
You are going to get alot of opinions....this is just me and I have done really well with this.
I also have the PC7424XP with varying backing plates from 2 7/8" to 5" Backing Plates. This is for budget minded people. The GG 6" is OK, however, I can't comment positive or negative as I do not have one.
You are going to get alot of opinions....this is just me and I have done really well with this.
I also have the PC7424XP with varying backing plates from 2 7/8" to 5" Backing Plates. This is for budget minded people. The GG 6" is OK, however, I can't comment positive or negative as I do not have one.
- Thread starter
- #11
this seems to be the most in-depth comment so i am going to adress this. Can the flex damage a car that im working on if i do not know what im doing originally? Should i get a rupes instead? Also i have plenty of microfiber towels (microfiber madness) and wax and sealant, do i need to get new towels, wax and sealant just for polishers?
AutoImage
New member
- Mar 17, 2014
- 16
- 0
Personally I'd go with the Cyclo Pro. Extremely user/newbie friendly, due to low vibration, great balance and a good range of pads. Spewin they had to stop the double precision pads though.
I've had Cyclo for 6 years so far and it's bulletproof (not literally, though I haven't tried shooting it)
I've had Cyclo for 6 years so far and it's bulletproof (not literally, though I haven't tried shooting it)
Tato
New member
- Nov 27, 2013
- 2,157
- 0
You can damage a car even polishing by hand, if you're not careful enough. The conventional DA (free spindle machines) like PC, GG, Megs will be less likely to damage paint because it'll stop spinning ~on edges and when not using proper technique, also are less likely to generate too much heat.
It's way less dangerous than a rotary indeed, but for sure, any machine can damage paint. It's not machine problem, but user's fault (when not an accident).
I've damaged paint with a DA once (Meguiar's G220v2 DA), but never with my Flex 3401. Totally my fault, sure, wrong products, and technique.
No, you don't need to buy wax and sealant for polish, I just tried to give a complete setup to do the entire work with quality products. Every item in my list can be switched to, in example, flat pads like suggested above by someone. Same goes for MF, but it's better to have plenty of great towels to remove polish residue.
You polished the paint flawless, you should use the best towel to remove residue to avoid inputing back defects into paint.
The flex 3401 is a forced rotation machine, which means the pad will spin ALL the time while oscillating, turning it into a very powerful, but safe to use machine.
It's an all around machine, can tackle pads from 4" to 6.5" or even a bit larger. Can handle wool pads.
It's very user friendly, comfortable to use. It has way less vibration and noise than PC style machines.
The Rupes (I have both 3401 and Rupes 21) is a beast, wonderful machine, very ergonomic, a pleasure to use. However, it's not an all around tool like the 3401, which will put you in a situation you may need to order a secondary machine to tackle 4" spots.
For sure you can do it by hand, but at least in my work, I use the 4" plate on the flex ~70% of an entire detail, even on large cars.
The 5" hybrid pads (recommended) gives you precise detailing in fenders, curves, intricate hoods and other designs,...
I may say I love my Rupes, and grab it every time I can (because it's a pleasure to use), generally on the remaining ~30% or to do a finishing polish (it covers large areas fast, mainly and better over flat parts but works in everything).
For the Rupes, if you can afford a 21 and a Mini, or a 15 and a mini, or a Duetto and a Mini, this can be an alternative to the Flex setup I've recommended above.
However, the Flex is a forced rotation DA, even if in the future you order a Rupes Machine, you will always have a use to it.
Regarding Power and Damaging paint, I feel more 'scared' about damaging paint with the Rupes 21 than with the Flex 3401.
The Rupes 21' throw is huge, which makes the pad spin crazily fast. The larger throw can also be dangerous on edges, when pad is spinning at high speeds (generally 5-6), and using a MF disc.
That said, if you inform yourself, watch plenty of Mike Phillips (and others) videos, you're set.
I've demonstrated the Flex 3401 + 4" plate and 5" hybrid to a guy one time, and let he try, he was able to do the whole section for the first time, with perfection.
Start on slow speeds, to feel the machine.
Do a light polishing, try to get the pad flat.
Spread product correctly over surface, etc, I mean, learn (HERE AT AGO!) the proper technique, you'll get professional results using what I included in my list.
If you need further help, don't hesitate to ask.
Kind Regards.
Tato
New member
- Nov 27, 2013
- 2,157
- 0
No, the Griot will last and be effective, but not as effective as using a Flex 3401, LC plate system and 5" hybrid pads, paired with Menzerna Polishes...
Kind Regards.
hernandez.art13
New member
- Apr 8, 2013
- 6,958
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I'm happy with my Rupes 21 and my PC with 5" and 3" backing plate.
I use my Rupes 21 with the normal 6" backing plate. Don't really care to switch it to my 5" backing plate.
I use my Rupes 21 with the normal 6" backing plate. Don't really care to switch it to my 5" backing plate.
Tato
New member
- Nov 27, 2013
- 2,157
- 0
The Rupes and PC style machine suggested above is also an alternative, but can't compare a Flex + 4" pads with a PC using 4" pads, including intricate designs the flex will spin the pad all the time, fast as you wish. This means more correction / polishing work in less time.
But it's a great setup, no doubt about it, and you should calculate the costs and consider it as well when make the final decision.
PC will double as a sander, and it's an all around machine as well, paired with 3-6" plates.
Kind Regards.
- Thread starter
- #18
so to sum it up, if im reading it correctly i should buy the flex with all the backings? It will be a relatively safe machine in my hands. Also, you may have misunderstood me but the microfiber towels, waxes, and sealents that i already have are some of the best on the market if not the best on the market. What place should a i buy the flex at?
Tato
New member
- Nov 27, 2013
- 2,157
- 0
If you are willing to make a kit like I've said above, with backing plates, hybrid pads, menzerna polishes, you should definitively make your list and call Nick at AG to give you a quote.
He always help arranging ~large orders to make you get the best 'bang for your buck'.
Yes, I understood you have great products at hand, you can just ignore or switch in my list what you already have, no problem at all.
The list was also made having in mind people that will read it in the future looking after a 'minimal', optimal, and complete setup to achieve show car results.
You have many choices, and the only right answer to what polisher to get is to get them all, you can never have too many.
I had a PC style machine, ordered the flex to leave my PC machine for spots, etc, fact is I never turned my PC machine again after receiving the Flex so I sold it (but it can do the work as well, I did many with it and the world corrected (and still corrects) millions of cars using PC machines...).
After that, I got the Rupes 21 to help dealing larger panels, and to do the 2nd step polish like I've said above, it gains time in polishing like it states, great product.
However, if I was to only have 1, it would be the Flex 3401 because of the versatility of the backing plate system and the forced rotation to easy access and polish every design curvature, not regarding power and correction capacity of each tool. Even the Rupes not being forced rotation, it has plenty of power to do the work flawless.
In the 'real world' (mainly where I live and work), some jobs I don't even get the Rupes, because of intricate designs will give me more difficult with it, if I was to own only the Rupes 21, I would definitively rely on a smaller plate machine like a Rupes Mini, a Flex with 4" plate, or a PC style machine... But that's the way 'I' work, many may work differently.
You know, you cannot go wrong with the Flex, it's a very professional and efficient tool.
Again, work your way with it on slow speeds and keep the pad flat. The first car you do will look almost like you are doing this for years.
Remember, only having the best car will not make you the best racer, so be sure to read a lot and be prepared to exert the best technique, and that involves the right pressure, slow arm movement, etc.
Hope that helps,
Kind Regards.
He always help arranging ~large orders to make you get the best 'bang for your buck'.
Yes, I understood you have great products at hand, you can just ignore or switch in my list what you already have, no problem at all.
The list was also made having in mind people that will read it in the future looking after a 'minimal', optimal, and complete setup to achieve show car results.
You have many choices, and the only right answer to what polisher to get is to get them all, you can never have too many.
I had a PC style machine, ordered the flex to leave my PC machine for spots, etc, fact is I never turned my PC machine again after receiving the Flex so I sold it (but it can do the work as well, I did many with it and the world corrected (and still corrects) millions of cars using PC machines...).
After that, I got the Rupes 21 to help dealing larger panels, and to do the 2nd step polish like I've said above, it gains time in polishing like it states, great product.
However, if I was to only have 1, it would be the Flex 3401 because of the versatility of the backing plate system and the forced rotation to easy access and polish every design curvature, not regarding power and correction capacity of each tool. Even the Rupes not being forced rotation, it has plenty of power to do the work flawless.
In the 'real world' (mainly where I live and work), some jobs I don't even get the Rupes, because of intricate designs will give me more difficult with it, if I was to own only the Rupes 21, I would definitively rely on a smaller plate machine like a Rupes Mini, a Flex with 4" plate, or a PC style machine... But that's the way 'I' work, many may work differently.
You know, you cannot go wrong with the Flex, it's a very professional and efficient tool.
Again, work your way with it on slow speeds and keep the pad flat. The first car you do will look almost like you are doing this for years.
Remember, only having the best car will not make you the best racer, so be sure to read a lot and be prepared to exert the best technique, and that involves the right pressure, slow arm movement, etc.
Hope that helps,
Kind Regards.
- Thread starter
- #20
I was thinking about doing the rupes 21 and the mini but its seems ridiculous to get 2 polishers before i have even polished for the first time. Im going to pull the trigger on the flex with all the backing plates because it seems more sensible then the rupes. What deal do you think nick could give me with everything?