random orbit buffer

[uiuc240]

Which one do you recommend? I see that some like the Porter-Cable 7424...but that's kinda pricey. My car is parked outside. And the paint and body are FAR from perfect. So I don't spend that much time trying to keep it tip-top. But I'd like to be able to polish/wax it more often...but doing a 3-step process takes SO long by hand. Are any of you using cheap buffers from Autozone? If so, which ones?

Eric

[**DONOTDELETE**]

If you were going to buy a PC, get the 7336 which comes with a hook and loop backing plate. The motor and case are the same as the 7424. Anyway...

I bought a little $20 Turtle Wax 6" buffer at Home Depot thinking it mught be good enough. Well it wasn't. it is fine for putting on wax, but not polishing. 0.5 amp motor is not powerful enough to keep the speed up when polishing and polish never breaks down because it never created enough heat. So I returned it.

The chaepest one I found that I recommend is a Craftsman for $80, but it is 5". For $5-10 more, Makita and Dewalt have similar palm buffers. There are soem cheaper models, but they all have fixed speeds. That might be fine, but they are fixed in the 12,000 OPM range which is way too much for car work. The variable models usually have a range of about 4000-8000. The PC 7336/7424/7335 go down to 2500opm which many prefer.

Unfortuneately, if you want the results in minumal time and effort, then you're going to pay $80+ and that's for a 5". Might as well get the PC @ Lowes for $110, IMO.

[uiuc240]

cool. that was some great tech advice. i won't be jumping on this anytime soon...but i'll keep that in mind. i think my elbow will have to do for now http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

Eric