I HAVE SEARCHED AND READ MANY OF THE OLD POSTS CONCERNING BUFFERS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ANY OF THE HEAVY DUTY ONES AT MY LOCAL STORES TO ACTUALLY TOUCH ONE. I CAN ONLY FIND THE LIGHT DUTY ONES THAT ARE PRIMARALY FOR CARS AND THEY ARE USULALLY HEAVY AND HARD TO HANDLE. WHERE WOULD ANYONE SUGGEST TO BUY ONE AND DO YOU ACCTUALLY NEED ONE THAT IS ORBITAL?
NEED A BUFFER AND WHAT BRAND IS SUGGESTED
- Thread starter can129
- Start date
Harbor Freight
An automitive orbital would work well.
Spend $$ on microfiber pads etc.
No real need for a "heavy duty" IMO.
An automitive orbital would work well.
Spend $$ on microfiber pads etc.
No real need for a "heavy duty" IMO.
I use the Shurhold Orbital buffer, totally different than others but it eliminates any "amateur" usage..... ie, me......
rather than just polishing in a circle, the Shurhold does random patterns. For professionals, it may not be needed, but for people like me, ie, amateurs, that need something pretty "goof proof", the Shurhold polisher is ideal. Its easy, light to use, and I find I can work on the boat and not worry about angles, pressure, all that, and yet get a professional result each time I use it.
rather than just polishing in a circle, the Shurhold does random patterns. For professionals, it may not be needed, but for people like me, ie, amateurs, that need something pretty "goof proof", the Shurhold polisher is ideal. Its easy, light to use, and I find I can work on the boat and not worry about angles, pressure, all that, and yet get a professional result each time I use it.
I use Makita, variable speed from Coastal Tool....its not a DA, but does a very nice job......the type of pad makes a difference as noted
I also use the Harbor Freight buffer. You really can't beat the price. Just make sure you purchase some good pads.
Parthery
GreatGrady Captain
I have a Ryobi DA Orbital I purchased in Home Depot. Its a little heavy, but it was a lot less $$$ and works well.
The pads make a huge difference...order the microfiber ones.
The pads make a huge difference...order the microfiber ones.
O.K, stupid question, where do i get the microfiber pads? I never saw them locally, i do use the microfiber cloth for cleaning and hand buffing and is amazing.
i bought the harbor freight buffer a few years ago it works great and has a variable speed dial on the handle. you can get replacement pads at most any hardwarestore
Does anyone know if there is a tutorial about how to use a rotary buffer. I bought one over the winter and with all this talk about burning the gelcoat, I've become quite tight-ass about screwing things up. Also, how does one clean the used microfiber bonnets? They're too expensive to throw away.
I have the Porter Cable 7336/7224 and recommend it highly. It is a random orbital buffer. It is highly regarded and recommended by a lot of people who use it on a professional basis (e.g., a lot of automotive detailers).
BOUGHT A BUFFER FROM AUTOGEEK
AFTER REVIEWING ALL POSTS AND SEARCHING THE OLD POST I BOUTHT THE PORTER CABLE FROM AUTOGEEK. THEY WERE VERY HELPFULL IN DETERMINING THE PADS AND ITS USE. I HAVE ALREADY CLEANED MY BOAT WITH SEAPOWER ONE STEP AND THE BOAT LOOKS GREAT. IT COULD USE A SECOND COAT BUT MY TIME WAS LIMITED SINCE I ALSO REPOWERED WITH A NEW YAMAHA F250 AND WANTED TO GET IT IN THE WATER TO START BREAKING IT IN.
THE BUFFER WAS EASY TO USE AND DID NOT KILL MY ARM AND SHOULDER. I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT I PURCHASED THE RIGHT PRODUCT.
AFTER REVIEWING ALL POSTS AND SEARCHING THE OLD POST I BOUTHT THE PORTER CABLE FROM AUTOGEEK. THEY WERE VERY HELPFULL IN DETERMINING THE PADS AND ITS USE. I HAVE ALREADY CLEANED MY BOAT WITH SEAPOWER ONE STEP AND THE BOAT LOOKS GREAT. IT COULD USE A SECOND COAT BUT MY TIME WAS LIMITED SINCE I ALSO REPOWERED WITH A NEW YAMAHA F250 AND WANTED TO GET IT IN THE WATER TO START BREAKING IT IN.
THE BUFFER WAS EASY TO USE AND DID NOT KILL MY ARM AND SHOULDER. I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT I PURCHASED THE RIGHT PRODUCT.
Porter Cable
I use a Porter Cable. Only downside is that it's a touch heavy but it will out last me.
All kinds of detailing websites and forums are out there. I use mine on my car too and car paint is a lot less forgiving than gelcoat.
I use a Porter Cable. Only downside is that it's a touch heavy but it will out last me.
All kinds of detailing websites and forums are out there. I use mine on my car too and car paint is a lot less forgiving than gelcoat.