Hi I was considering a Porter Cable polisher but as I know nothing about detailing I think it might be a bit over the top for me right now. I don't mind the price but it might be a bit too much to handle in my incapable hands.

I'd like to get a polisher to make the job of polishing go a bit easier on my car, but I'm relegated to over the counter polishing machines. I just intend on using over the counter cleaning, polish and wax products a coule times a season, so nothing over the top.

Most of the machines I can find over the counter have fixed rpms, so they aren't adjustable. The machines I'm seeing range from 2600, 2900, 3300, and up to 3600 rpms. Can anyone recommend a speed that will work best for a rookie such as me. Should I go with the highest rpm machine I can find in that range, or the lower rpms or middle rpm choice ?.

Lastly, I have found a DeWalt, angle polisher, but it does not have a random orbit system, just a straight spinning action. Is the random orbit feature important in a polisher ?. All of the other machines I've seen have random orbit operation.

Any advice on this would be very helpful. thanks for reading.

 

a newbe does want a random orbital... very hard to burn paint with a random orbital.

best way to learn the machine is to start by getting "machine feel" by using it to apply and remove wax with. once you get the feel, you can move up to polishing. you can learn to polish by doing it, but best way to learn is to have a friend show you. we have plenty of videos and other info in the "how tos" at the top of the board. check them out and post back questions-

 

I would skip the porter cable and get the Flex 3401. My porter cable recently died on me so it was a perfect time to upgrade to the flex. I'm still waiting on my flex to get here

 

Two votes for the Flex. Starting out I'd say you definitely want a variable speed trigger like the Flex has. Allows you a lot more cushion to develop feel.

 

The Flex 3401 is the best DA on the market IMO. If I had to choose one at a cheaper price point, between the PC 7424XP, Griot's 6" DA, and Meguiar's G110v2....I'd probably go with the Griot's for its extra power. The PC will generally be more reliable down the road, but the Griot's has a 7 amp motor vs a 4.5 amp motor.

 

thanks for all of the replies, any opinions on what speed might be best for a newbie, in terms of rpms.

 

Honestly I would get a PC to start for a beginner sure the Flex as some nice options but the money isn't there for a beginner.

The PC uses a variable speed control on the back of the unit. Polishing compounds usually go on with a "5" or a "6" speed setting, I use "5" 99% of the time. Waxing is usually a "3", if I remove with a micro fiber bonnet I use a "3" to "4"....

I would invest in a complete compound kit, I use the Menzerna stuff and really really like it. Wax or Sealant... I usually wax but going to try the new release Menzerna Sealant, if you wax it is your preference, I have applied NXT 2.0 via buffer and it goes on real thin, Adam's machine wax is OK... Once that is up I am going to look for something else though... You can wax over a sealant once it bonds (12 - 24hrs) but doesn't do anything to pick up the shine more a second layer to protect the sealant and paint.

You will want a complete suite of pads, (I use Uber yellow, orange, green, blue, and black) You probably want a couple of orange, greens, blue, and black... Those will be your most common pads, yellow only for the really really bad stuff.