Polisher Purchase question

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p2flol

New member
Hey guys, I have a few questions I wanted answered before I pulled the trigger on a new polisher!


 


I've always hand detailed my cars for years, realizing now how much time I waste doing it by hand.


 


Anyways, I just purchased a 2013 black nissan altima and it's loaded with swirls since the place I bought it from washed it several hundred times through those automated car washes.


 


I for sure don't want to tackle this by hand and I really don't want to pay someone to buff it for me (quoting me 500$), esp since I love to keep my car clean and shiny I might as well learn how to do it myself using a polisher.


 


Okay onto the question. I read a bunch on polishers but I am still kind of clueless you know, don't really understand something until I do it myself then I can learn it fast.


 


I was going to purchase the porter cable 7424XP polisher since everyone seems to think it's one of the best for learning. (and safe for my clear coat)


But later on today I discovered a polisher my room mate left behind a year ago in storage but since I don't know much about them I decided to ask you guys if this polisher is usable to remove those nasty swirls on this new car or should I just purchase the PC polisher. I am unable to find reviews or any kind of relevant information on this item.


 


Heres the webpage for the polisher I found: http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=9227C


 


Anyways, bottom line. Nasty swirls on my black car, best option to remove them? Buy that Porter cable polisher or figure out how to use the one I found (wether its easy to use or safe for my paint/clear coat)


 


Thanks guys, I appreciate any help you guys can provide. Sorry if this is in the wrong section!
 
Welcome to Autopia!!!


 


That polisher is a direct drive Rotary polisher--without the proper skill and allot of practice there is a high chance of you burning through your paint.  As a beginner stick with a random orbital dual action polisher like the Porter Gable, Griots Garage DA or Harbor Freight random orbital -- they are safe and with the proper pads and polishing products you can accomplish what you need on your paint.


 


The Griots Garage DA is by far the best for the money of the standard DA machines as it has the most power and a lifetime warranty.   If money is a consideration the Harbor Freight unit is more powerful than the PC and you can pick it up for about $50 and another $10 for a 2 year replacement warranty.
 
p2flol- Welcome to Autopia!


 


Yeah, skip the rotary.  Just don't go there.


 


I disagree about the idea that the PCXP is the best to start with.  My big gripe with it is that if the (hollow!) shaft that the backingplate/pad mounts to breaks (and it *has* broken for some users) it can cause severe damage.


 


I too recommend the Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital.  I simply love mine, and and I have a lot of other polishers to compare it with. 
 
My first polisher was the PC 7424xp and it's still in my arsenal today. Never had a problem with it and it's definitely user friendly. It's now dedicated to mostly applying waxes since I have the Rupes 21.


 


That being said the Griots has a little more power and comes with a lifetime warranty so you really can't go wrong.


 


With either unit your going to want to switch the backing plate to a 5" backing plate and use 5.5" pads with it. You'll get far better results.
 
SeaJay's said:
..With either unit  [PCXO or GG]  your going to want to switch the backing plate to a 5" backing plate and use 5.5" pads with it. You'll get far better results.
Click to expand...


You know how I always said that you gotta use smaller pads to get anything done?  I was *very* surprised at how well the GG works with 6" pads, and that was on hard clear too.  I do believe that 5-5.5" would work even better, but I've changed my tune about how 6-6.5" pads are useless on the Griot's.
 
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