[lgbalfa]

What is the main difference between a variable speed polisher and a random orbit polisher?

The variable speed polisher is $79 and the random orbit is $109.

I can get that even reduced more with a Harbor Freight coupon.

I am only looking at these two from Harbor Freight.

5.7 Amp 6 in. Short-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander

Amazing deals on this 8Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

7.5 Amp 6 in. Long-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher

Amazing deals on this 20Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I know there are more expensive brands but I won't be using this that often so Harbor Freight would be just fine.

Thanks

 

[Gubi]

Well, the more expensive one you linked to is more powerful (more amps) so theoretically it will work better.

The important part is they're both "dual action" (or "random orbit") polishers vs. just rotary. Dual action polishers are very forgiving and you won't damage the paint with one. Pure rotary polishers are for pros only as you can do some serious damage if you don't know what you're doing.

Amazon has some good dual action kits that come with the polishing pads for similar prices, may want to check there too.

 

[MissMyAlfaDan]

I don't see any difference justifying the extra 30 bucks for the more expensive one.

 

[lgbalfa]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I purchased:

5.7 Amp 6 in. Short-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander

Amazing deals on this 8Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[MissMyAlfaDan]

Be sure to post some pics of your polished ride.

 

[lgbalfa]

Never posted pics but here are a few.

The polisher is great.

 

[autobroker]

Never posted pics but here are a few.

The polisher is great.

Hey, you have a twin to my S4!

Here are some tips on polishing. FIrst and foremost, wash your car, dry then clay. Remove all contaminants - if you have to do an acid wash to get fallout off, do it. You don't want to buff paint with fallout! Go to Ebay or Amazon and buy a firm pad with bumps (not flat) - most likely orange color and a softer foam flat pad (black or blue). Get some Meguiars M101 and M205. Start with the orange pad and M101. Only put four pea sized drops on the pad (evenly spaced), then dab the pad on the car (work only in a 2'x2' area). Turn your polisher on slow speed and move the compound around the entire work area. Then crank the speed up to max and with very little pressure, move the pad in either vertical or horizontal lines - move very very slowly to let the pad and compound do the work. Watch the pad speed - make sure the pad doesn't slow down! Make 5-6 passes, then wipe the excess off your paint with a soft microfiber towel. If it looks good, proceed to the next cutting step. If not, hit it again. Don't use too much compound! Just four pea sized drops. Finish the entire car, then get ready for step 2.

Next step. Use thea softer flat pad and Meguiars M205 - it doesn't cut as hard and you get a super nice finish. Do the same thing, four pea sized drops, blot on paint, then spread as slow speed. Since the paint is now very clean, you don't need to use as much speed - 4 should be good enough. I run 4 passes with M205 and again, make sure the pad doesn't slow down. Wipe with microfiber and check results. You should have a mirror like finish!

Final step. No joke, I use Turtle Wax, not some expensive wax. Buy a bottle of Turtle Wax Hybrid (green and black bottle). Spray only two full squirts on a panel (or 1/2 the hood), then wipe with a wax applicator. Go around the whole car, then wipe off with a soft microfiber. After one week, come back and hit the car with another coat of Turtle Wax Hybrid. You're done for at least a year! This stuff is amazing!

I don't recommend using M105 in place of M101. It dries too fast and can be difficult to remove at times. M101 is an improvement over M105. You can also skip the M205 step if you're happy with the paint after M101, but if you want that deep shine, do the M205. And shake the bottles before using - things will settle!

 

[autobroker]

Never posted pics but here are a few.

The polisher is great.

One other tip. Buy a gallon bottle of Rage Wheel Cleaner. It's a strange brownish color liquid. I think out 4 parts water to 1 part rage. I spray on the wheel, tire, wheel well - and even on the paint where bugs or tar got on. DO NOT let it dry! I hit it with a soft brush, then spray off. One wheel at a time. Hit the tire too - it'll make the tire look like new! Be careful getting this stuff on your hands. The next day, your skin will be cracked. Unless you use gloves!

 

[180OUT]

This is really helpful. My old school mentor insisted that I do all my compounding, polishing, and waxing by hand. While I can do it the "right" way, a good orbital polisher sings a siren song now that my aches and pains are catching up to me. I was puzzled by the different pads so now I have a better idea of what I need.

 

[horsewidower]

This is really helpful. My old school mentor insisted that I do all my compounding, polishing, and waxing by hand. While I can do it the "right" way, a good orbital polisher sings a siren song now that my aches and pains are catching up to me. I was puzzled by the different pads so now I have a better idea of what I need.

Jim, pad colors are different for different manufacturers. They are not standardized. Pick a manufacturer and learn their line.

I've started using some of the microfiber and wool blend pads. They do some very good work.

I second the use of the Turtle wax products mentioned. Excellent stuff. I also spritz mine with P&S Beadmaker in between Turtle wax applications. It's a nice top off.

 

[autobroker]

Jim, pad colors are different for different manufacturers. They are not standardized. Pick a manufacturer and learn their line.

I've started using some of the microfiber and wool blend pads. They do some very good work.

I second the use of the Turtle wax products mentioned. Excellent stuff. I also spritz mine with P&S Beadmaker in between Turtle wax applications. It's a nice top off.

P&S Beadmaker - I'll have to take a look.

And yes, the pads are not standard colors.

 

[180OUT]

Several years ago a professional detailer recommend Meguiar's "Tech Wax". I tried it and found that it was not only easy to use, the shine was excellent and, even better, water beaded up even after a solid year of regular driving. Meguiar's has apparently discontinued Tech Wax so I found that Auto Zone had reduced prices to about 6 bucks ea. I bought several bottles which should last at decade or so.

 

[autobroker]

Here's an interesting video comparing Meguiars with Turtle Wax Seal N Shine. You Tube with 2 Meguiars and Seal N Shine
The Turtle Wax Seal N Shine was my go to until they came out with the Hybrid Solutions in the green and black bottle. Turtle Wax products were considered "consumer" grade until they came out with their ICE line - I used it quite a while ago in the paste form and I had great results. When Seal N Shine came out, I gave it a try and I was shocked at how good a spray wax could be. Then the Hybrid came out and it even beats Seal N Shine. I hear they have a new Pro Line, which I'm anxious to try. But I still have two bottles of Seal N Shine and 1/2 bottle of Hybrid Solutions. I also have about a dozen bottles of other spray on waxes - I keep them, because I think I'll use them someday ... well, I did use some Mothers CMX the other day and it wasn't even close to how good Hybrid Solutions works.

I recommend giving Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions a try. I think you'll be impressed and you'll have bottles of the other waxes sitting in your garage.

 

[180OUT]

It's been several months since I did a compound/polish/wax so once I get a couple of warmer days I think I'll try the Hybrid. Boy this high falutin' stuff is light years different from learning how to use Dupont #7 "red" to hand compound fresh nitrocellulose paint.

 

[horsewidower]

Yeah, but it's still hard to beat a hand rubbed carnauba wax job. The new products are easier to apply and provide a sharp and long lasting finish...but the richness of carnauba is hard to beat, especially on a single stage paint.