You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
DetailingGeneral discussion forum for detailing your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "Craftsman Orbital Buffer", within the Detailing forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
Hi ya forum, wife and I both sold our 10 year old vehicles and updated to new. I bought a 03 Toyota Highlander, one owner, looks great and she has new Camry 05.
I bought a Craftsman 9inch orbital buffer 10 years ago, didn't use it much since, and when I did I just switched between two terry bonnets. One for applying wax the other for removing. (although i usually ended up removing the wax by hand with a cotton towel, seemed easier then using the buffer for some reason).
Am I outdated with this Buffer? I've read the posts, everybody's going with the Porter Cable etc. different style pads for different applications etc....
Can I still use my machine and get good results (didn't really matter on my old vehicles, seemed to make 'em shine, but I'm going for the gusto with my new vehicles.) This buffer is one speed, on....thats it... its also bulky to handle but I can grin and bear that if I know I can get professional results...
any opinions appreciated, love this forum!!! PS. are different style bonnets available for these 9 inch machines?
You can use that to help apply wax maybe, but don't expect any results with removing imperfections in your paint. I'd pony up the $99 to go buy a Porter Cable 7336 from Lowe's and get some foam pads for it. There's a couple of web forums that deal specifically with detailing and you can learn a lot about the PC over there. Detail City or Autopia is a good place to go do some reading.
I know the Porter Cable (Polisher) 7424 is great for minor swirls (I have one) and the DeWalt 7 1/2" (Buffer) 846 is outstanding for anything more serious (still need one). The DeWalt can be purchased online from coastaltool.com
You are correct about both the RO polisher and the rotary. I would caution anyone about "just going and picking up a rotary" however. It takes a little practice to get the hang of using one of these high speed machines correctly. I would not want to learn how to use a rotary on my new Tacoma. The PC is very good to cut your teeth on. It won't remove everything, but it will do a good job for a novice. For the rotary, I would suggest getting a scrap panel from a junkyard and getting LOTS of practice before advancing to using it on your new car. I've seen lots of people who thought they knew what they were doing with a rotary that damaged their paint almost beyond repair.
I guess what I am trying to say is get some experience before attempting rotary use on a new truck. It's not a tool you can just decide to pick up and use on a whim.
You are correct about both the RO polisher and the rotary. I would caution anyone about "just going and picking up a rotary" however. It takes a little practice to get the hang of using one of these high speed machines correctly. I would not want to learn how to use a rotary on my new Tacoma. The PC is very good to cut your teeth on. It won't remove everything, but it will do a good job for a novice. For the rotary, I would suggest getting a scrap panel from a junkyard and getting LOTS of practice before advancing to using it on your new car. I've seen lots of people who thought they knew what they were doing with a rotary that damaged their paint almost beyond repair.
I guess what I am trying to say is get some experience before attempting rotary use on a new truck. It's not a tool you can just decide to pick up and use on a whim.
Agreed. If you don't know what you are doing you will create scratches insted of remove them.
__________________
The New - - 2007 Sun Fusion FJ Cruiser
Deep Cycle Battery-Running Boards-That's It For Now But Not For Long
The Old - - 2005 Tacoma TRD Off-Road (I Miss My Baby)
Dual Optima Batteries-Toytec Lift-MB Motoring Wheels-285/75/16 Nitto Grapplers-Waeco Portable Fridge/Freezer-Yakima Roof Rack-Softopper Canvas Top-Airaid Intake Kit-Billet Grille-Flowmaster 40-Aries Nerf Bars-Tint-Wade Hood Protector-TRD Seat Covers-Bed Extender-Toyota Bed Mat & TRD Floor Mats-XBar Light Bar
I've got both buffers and for a car the portercable is the only way to go. If you were doing a bus or a boat I'd use the craftsman, but it's way too big for the curves on a car (and even usually a van for that matter). You might be able to use it to buff, but it's not great for polishing or waxing.
Getting the PorterCable with a couple of good pads from Griot's or comparible from somewhere else is the ONLY way to go on a car. Sure a rotary will work faster (too fast for an amateur). But with regular maintenance, the pc orbital is wonderful.
It saves sooooooo much time on the polishing. Not so much waxing because that's usually easy to put on and take off, but polish is a lot more work.
It's like the difference between hand sanding and sanding with a power finish sander.
But even for applying a thin coat of wax, it's hard to beat an orbital.
To be honest, if you get good pads and materials you can spend half as much again as you paid for the orbital. But it's definitely worth it. The neighbors will definitely notice!
Alan
Quote:
Originally Posted by alkazoo
Hi ya forum, wife and I both sold our 10 year old vehicles and updated to new. I bought a 03 Toyota Highlander, one owner, looks great and she has new Camry 05.
I bought a Craftsman 9inch orbital buffer 10 years ago, didn't use it much since, and when I did I just switched between two terry bonnets. One for applying wax the other for removing. (although i usually ended up removing the wax by hand with a cotton towel, seemed easier then using the buffer for some reason).
Am I outdated with this Buffer? I've read the posts, everybody's going with the Porter Cable etc. different style pads for different applications etc....
Can I still use my machine and get good results (didn't really matter on my old vehicles, seemed to make 'em shine, but I'm going for the gusto with my new vehicles.) This buffer is one speed, on....thats it... its also bulky to handle but I can grin and bear that if I know I can get professional results...
any opinions appreciated, love this forum!!! PS. are different style bonnets available for these 9 inch machines?
You are correct about both the RO polisher and the rotary. I would caution anyone about "just going and picking up a rotary" however. It takes a little practice to get the hang of using one of these high speed machines correctly. I would not want to learn how to use a rotary on my new Tacoma. The PC is very good to cut your teeth on. It won't remove everything, but it will do a good job for a novice. For the rotary, I would suggest getting a scrap panel from a junkyard and getting LOTS of practice before advancing to using it on your new car. I've seen lots of people who thought they knew what they were doing with a rotary that damaged their paint almost beyond repair.
I guess what I am trying to say is get some experience before attempting rotary use on a new truck. It's not a tool you can just decide to pick up and use on a whim.
Completely agree with you in that care must be taken or "bad things" could happen. However, I have a rotary and typically find that it is as easy to use as an orbital as long as you don't go above 1000-1200 RPM. The higher speeds is what you would need to buff out imperfections and that is also where you can do damage if you are not careful. Just want to insure people with Rotaries don't get too concerned as long as you keep the speed extremely low while you are in training (so to speak), IMO, you should be fine.
Craftsman Orbital Buffer
Linear Mode
