i have always savered the idea of having a buffer to remove wax and get a better shine but i am not sure if it's truly ok for the paint. are there certain brands or specs i should look for when purchasing one or is it just a bad idea to use them?

 

You have much to learn my friend.

95 percent of the shine happens BEFORE you even apply your wax or sealant.

What you refer to as a buffer is probably a 10" gigantic thing that autoparts and department stores sell. Buffers actually don't remove wax very well. Usually you get a 10" terry cloth bonnet that will do nothing but scratch the crap out of your paint after it loads up with dry wax. The buffers like that don't generate enough heat to effectively reduce swirls and scratches. Heat is your friend. Even if you are talking about a Porter Cable, I don't know anyone that removes wax or sealant with it.

My suggestion is to get a polisher like the Porter Cable 7336 and polish your paint with the proper pads and polishes using a step up/step down approach. When your car is free from swirls and scratches, apply your LSP (last stage product ie. wax or sealant) by hand. Remove it by hand also. You get a much better feel for your finish that way.

Read this forum, take a look at Autopia.org and ask away. There is a lot of experience here.

 

i was talking about a porter cable...didn't know what they were called, sorry. thanks for the help!

 

sodaking663rd- one thing that you will learn if you hang out here enough is a lot of this stuff is a matter of opinion.
ubetit (who i have tremendous respect for) is right on that most guys dont use the machine for their waxes or synthetic protection... but then there are some of us who love the machine in that stage.
i agree 100% that the machine is the only way to go with the polish stage, which is the stage that makes the paint shine and pop back to life. the wax or synthetic just protects and adds depth and wetness.
i often use the porter cable to both apply and remove synthetics or waxes. i usually use it to apply synthetics cause i like the way it applies the product in a very thin/light fashion. i feel that i can control the amount of product on the car better with the machine. and i respect that most guys prefer to do this by hand. i will admit that i usually apply and remove p21s by hand- but i do enjoy applying it with the machine if i am doing a large vehicle and i have a helper who can remove by hand while i am applying.
but with synthetics, i love to apply by machine and remove by machine (i use a lambswool pad for cushioning with a microfiber pad over it for removal).
again, i want to emphasize that this is an opinion... i suggest that you try it both ways and choose whichever you prefer.
just make sure that you get a "random orbital" machine (like the porter cable)... much safer to learn on the random orbital!

 

I've used a MF bonnet on my porter cable and it worked okay in removing wax and/or sealant. but it tended to "gum" up after one side

I apply by machine and remove by hand

 

[QUOTE=s2ksimon,Mar 24 2006, 09:26 AM] I've used a MF bonnet on my porter cable and it worked okay in removing wax and/or sealant.

 

this stuff is obviously much more complicated than i expected. i come from the good ol' days of washing and then putting a coat of wax/cleaner on. is that harming the car? it'd be nice if the area s2k's had a wax day so i could see what's involved. Thanks again guys!

 

great idea!
post it up in your local forum...
we have had several members with experience teach those who are learning to use the machine- all by posts in local forums.