Ok, I have mentioned this before but never asked the question outright.

What horrible damage could I do to my paint with my 6" 4000rpm random orbital buffer that I couldnt do with a PC 7242? I know the PC is ideal, but could I give the orbital buffer I have a shot without endangering my paint? I am currently scouting for a good deal on the PC, but in the meanwhile the car needs at least a light polish and glaze.

Please dont hate me

 

1. you are posting in w&w- and you are one of us, so we dont hate you!

2. not likely to do any damage with any random orbital, as long as the edges of the pads are not too rough and not touching paint if they are rough (some pads are thin and the backing plate can touch paint- not good). as long as your pads are thick, not likely to have a problem. keep the speed low until you have good control and are comfortable with the machine.

3. if you can tell us the brand and model we might have more info for you.

4. if this is your first try with a machine i would suggest that you might want to learn on a more beater car... no problem learning on yours, but i know i was more comfortable getting some hand time on another car before i ever hit one of my own.

 

Thanks for the kind words and support.

HERE is a link to the buffer I have. I may have to do some interneting for some decent pads, but that is a given.

I was considering going to crazy ray's (junk yard type place) and just grabbing a decent trunk off a junker for $20 and learning on that.

I guess I just want to know if I can save $100-$150 for now and learn with what I have.

 

The only real damage you could do is you'll get "buffer haze." Your orbital isn't powerful enough to properly break down the abrasives in the polish. So, they'll end up instilling their own marks on your car.

Using a lower powered orbital really just isn't worth it. When you're talking 4000 OPM you're not generating enough power to really see and difference between that and hand polishing.

 

Thanks for the info. So the basic bottom line is, there isn't a lower cost alternative to a PC?

 

Hold on, isnt a PC an orbital? Dont you guys mean rotary (spins in a circle only)?

 

Not that I'm aware of, but if you find one let us know. Machines like the one you have are pretty much only good for applying or removing glazes/waxes/sealants. You'll never be able to do any effective paint correction using an abrasive polish with this machine.

Yup! The PC is definitely an orbital. However, the orbital machine dmw16 mentioned is a Ryobi and is less powerful than the PC. Plus, he would not be able to use the foam pads that are commonly used with the PC.

 

I don't want to jack the thread, but I want to ask a quick follow up- what is buffer haze? Could this be similar to hologram, but not in any specific place or line? I think I might have done this to my car the first time I used my PC. I don;t think I worked the polish enough or at high enough speeds, now when my car has not been washed in a while it has kind a glow. Is this permanent, or can I get it out with more PC work?

 

Buffer haze is more similar to really, really fine cob webbing. I can't say I've ever heard of it manifesting in the form of holograms. Maybe you were dry buffing. I've seen holograms from dry buffing. This is when you either work the polish too long, don't prime the pad, or don't use enough polish.

Either way whatever the cause is I'm sure a little more PC work will probably rectify the situation.

 

hmmm well the ryobi is just $20. cant it at least save yourself the fatigue of doing a complete hand polish? its got to be a better alternative than just for hands alone, no?

but yeah, i wouldnt expect a $20 piece could replace a $180 piece of equipment.