Buffpro "drum-style" polishing tool

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I think this is really boiling down to the fact that this machine was presented here (TID) in a poor fashion. And now several people pop up who have financial incentives, whether its from salary or sales, saying that this maching is "the Poo".

I think everyone is skeptical and frankly just doesnt trust those posting about the machine. A few videos on youtube dont cut it, that wont make me a believer. Post a thread showing the true correction of multiple vehicles with various paint hardnesses and various body styles using a high quality camera. I think everyone just wants to see high quality pictures of the results...

Then and only then will I think that people will begin to hold what you say with credibility and actually look at the machine as a potential serious player.

Just my :2 cents:

Jon
 
What is the diameter and overall width of the pads used on this machine?

The total surface area and concentration of pressure at a given time are interesting things to consider.
From a standpoint of total surface area available to polish with, this pad will potentially stay clean a long time.
The design of the pad allows concentration of applied pressure, yet the pad will not load as quickly as a smaller pad (less surface area).
These are points that are beneficial.

Scratches developed via rotary are typically defined as swirls.
Scratches developed via orbital are typically defined as being hazy.
We all know this.

This machine has a similar potential to create a scratch.
We all know this, too. They're just straighter.

I don't think anyone is doubting the merits of the machine, as drum polishers have been around for decades. They have a purpose, certainly, and I imagine most guys have been in a situation where one of these would have saved them a lot of time. But it seems foolish to me to bag on all other styles of machine, when they obviously excel in certain circumstances, and can kick the crap out of a drum polisher in so many cases. I guess it comes down to how it's being touted.

When I used to sell Meguiar's at car shows (big shows), all sorts of competitors touted their wares by bagging on Meguiar's.

"Hey Bill, how many products do Meguiar's make now, 300?!"
"Naw, more like 500, yuk, yuk, yuk...!"
"Meguiar's? You mean that stuff you buy at Wal-mart?!"
"Oh, they're too big... they used to be good, and I used it, but they don't care about us guys anymore... that's why I created this line."
"Meguiar's? Hahaa.... this stuff will smoke it."
"Hey, this is no bull... we've got the detailer that does Barry's cars using this stuff..!"

So, their potential customers would come in our booth so freaking pissed off because they were basically told in a roundabout way how dumb they were. And these were guys that used Meguiar's for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, 50 years, and longer. That sort of "sales pitch" backfired, big time.

Tout the benefits of what you are selling. Don't try to say it'll be your go-to machine. Implement a "trade-in" program. Even if you offer a hundred bucks for a Harbor Freight rotary, or a $30 cheapie orbital... you're gonna make the money back on pads and whatnot.

Posting how much this machine is preferred over all the others via poll, on a site that very few everyday detailers have even heard of, that doesn't prove anything. Try that on MOL, autopia, AG, DB, DW, L2D, etc. and see what you get.

If you can get guys like TH0001, Auto Concierge, Paul Dalton, and others in their realm of detailing to take notice... then you'll have high-end detailers beating your door down to use this machine.

Maybe make an even smaller one. That might be intriguing.
 
Thank you to the few who actually responded with good advice and respectful criticism. When I said, "intelligent discussion," that is what I was referring to - as opposed to being judgemental and "bagging" on someone as several here have done without any provocation. My merits were challenged and I stated what my background is. Big deal. The advice about posting pictures is noted, and I will be glad to do that from someone who is actually using the tool every day on very, very expensive cars.

A smaller version of the tool has been discussed around here often, actually. It was the first suggestion I made when I came on the job. The answer I have received from the R&D side was that the time and money required for the engineering process is currently not feasible, but as soon as it is that is something the company (Farrell Polishing Products) is interested in exploring. It has to be considered, though, that the feedback we have is that the vast majority of our users are happy with the product as is. So currently there is no reason to throw that kind of money at the idea. Instead, our money is being spent on tweaks to the machine and to the pads based on the feedback we receive.

To answer the other question: The pads are 7" in both width and diameter. The only real stipulation on the design is that by its nature, more air contacts your compound so it's necessary to use either a "wetter" compound or to occasionally spray it with water to ensure proper separation of the clusters in it before it dries out.

The thing that separates BuffPro from almost all other drum buffers is that it is electrically powered as opposed to air powered, eliminating the need for a compressor.

Again, guys, it's not a sales pitch. It's a discussion. I will try to get the deal set up with the guy in CA so I can post some pics. I've already seen them and they are incredible. But like everything, there is a process. Hopefully within a few days we can get everything worked out.

Oh, and that poll was not posted by our company. That was done by ADN, who is not a part of Farrell Polishing Products. They are a dealer who sells our products as well as those of other manufacturers. And you're right, I believe the poll only garnered around 75 total votes or something. But we were still happy with the fact that almost 50% of those went to our machine. Who wouldn't be?

And PAR, I agree the presentation by the original creator of the thread was very poor and ill-advised on his part. It got us off on the wrong foot, for sure. If he were a direct employee of our company, I would issue my own apology for it. But an apology is an admission of guilt, and in this particular case our company nor myself have done anything to apologize for.

When I get more time, as someone suggested, I'll dig into the other threads here where I can talk about detailing practices and such that have nothing to do with BuffPro. It just happens that BuffPro is the topic in THIS thread and I am certainly qualified to discuss it. But I keep saying it - I'm not here to sell anything. Put yourself in my spot though - if your company was presented publically by a loose affiliate in a dishonest manner, wouldn't you want to set the record straight with people?

I'm off for the day. Hope we can move past the initial bad attitudes and move onto being able to discuss things professionally.
 
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