Cheap buffer? What style? Never buffed!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:39 am
So, as we know from my mishap.. I will be buffing! Never used one before, so what style should I be looking for (yes, these are cheapies)..

There is this style http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-var ... 92623.html that looks like a giant angle grinder to me....

There is this style http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/power ... hers/RB101 which is what I always think of (I doubt that's variable though.. I suppose I need that!)

Or thsi http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 43424.html Non variable

Or something small like this http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 90219.html which might keep me out of trouble?

Remember this is for my clear coat mishap... I know the quality is lacking, but.. What ya gonna do I guess.

Tips? Not sure if i need RA/DA, circular, variable, etc? And which style?

Thanks!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:45 am
you need something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Variable-Spee ... 27bd9118dc

you will also need buffing pads and compound and it is not very cheap

you can try some cheaper brands of compound and pads but I suggest 3m
in the immortal words of Frank Sinatra "That's Life"



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:07 pm
Gotcha.. So that's pretty much the same as the first one I posted.. 1500rpm is slow enough for my needs? Seems quick (but I have no idea, really!).

I wouldn't be skimping on the actual compound.. Buffer yes, as I'll never pick it up again, but compound, well, I'll splurge. :D

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:12 pm
then you want to buy the 123 system from 3m

you could probably just get away with just step 1 and 2 but if its a darker color and you get swirl marks you may want to use the number 3

It gets pricey I just bought a bottle of number 2 and a 2 pack of buffing pads and spent close to 80 bucks

you really get what you pay for and I would not use anything else

I once tried some meguires and found it worked ok but the 3m stuff really performs well and will give you professional results

here is a pic of the system and the pads that work with it
Attachments
m_002.jpg
step one rubbing compound that will take out 1500 or finer sandpaper scratch
m_004.jpg
this is the machine polish step 2
m_009.jpg
this is the step you may not need to do unless you have swirl marks on a dark color
in the immortal words of Frank Sinatra "That's Life"



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:37 pm
My main concern is matching the clear coat once I sand out these runs... I'm not concerned with a mirror on the entire car. I'm very happy with the orange peel the way it came out of the gun.. So.. I have no idea!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:19 pm
What's going to happen is you will have sanded some areas flat and others will have orange peel. After buffing these areas will reflect light differently and the overall appearance of the car will be compromised. Imagine looking down a panel and seeing a clear mirror like finish next to a dull area with less clarity.
When I painted the 2002 F250 Crew cab with that charcoal gray metallic paint it went on great and so I just buzzed over it with 1500 on a DA and then buffed it out. All was fine until I noticed a blemish in one rear door that I couldn't ignore. After sanding out the blemish and rebuffing the door it came out looking so nice that it made the front door look bad. Looking down the side of the truck the fender and front door looked great together but that rear door stood out against them and the bed. Ended up having cut and buff the whole truck.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:34 pm
gah! This is not cool.. :D Well I guess one thing at a time.. Cut out the runs! But I still think I'll grab a buffer this week.. Anyone tried the first one I posted? it seems a little.... beastly? But once again, never compared! :D

Will standard buffer pads and what not fit that one?

Does this style work?

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 90219.html

or this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 43424.html

(I know I've posted them up there).. Or should it not be random orbit? That's what I'm unsure of? Do I need random, or non-random? Variable? The 6 inch, while I could get into less trouble, only goes 3500.. Not sure if I can even cut with that? Does it need oomph?

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:15 pm
both of those polishers are for taking off wax not compounding and polishing wetsand scratch

you need a buffer not a orbital'

variable speed will be helpfull
in the immortal words of Frank Sinatra "That's Life"



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:04 pm
Non-orbital eh? Alrighty, I guess this beaute is in my cards http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-var ... 92623.html :D

Now I guess I need to find a backing plate and a pad of some sort? Suggestions? Something available locally, ideally... Big box stores I guess would be the only thing we have in common, but doubt they would have anything (local stores are only open when I work, which is a HUGE bummer).

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:02 pm
here is the one I bought of ebay it works just fine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-POLISHER-BUFF ... 8f&vxp=mtr

dont buy the 3m backing pad they wanted 70+ for them
in the immortal words of Frank Sinatra "That's Life"
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