Thread: What is the best polisher/buffer?

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I am about to buy an electric polisher/buffer and would like the hear what the crowd thinks is the best buy/brand... the choices are:
Black & Decker
Cyclo
Dewalt
Dynabrade
Hitachi
Makita
Milwaukee
Porter Cable
Proline
Titan
Wen

I have used Black & decker for many years , I now own & use a Makita & Dewalt .
I like the makita as its a tad lighter then the dewalt , and I like the crossover handle on my model , instead of just a handle attached to the left side of the buffer , even though its interchangeable to the right .

Both have nice speed variances .
The Makita and dewalt are fairly easy to work on if they need brushes , or cord repair .

Just make sure it has some heft , but not real heavy body , because if you use it for any length of time it will get to your arms and hands .

Have not used any of the others .

I use a Dynabrade, one of the "old fashioned" 2 handers but I love it!!!!! I had a DeWalt constant speed electric, too dang heavy, sold it.... Also have a Matco 5" variable speed, really like it for interior pieces and little corners, etc......

I bought one of the knockoffs on e-bay last year for about $45.00 it works
great and is actually good quality, also bought 6 backing pads for $20.00
Theirs some good deals on e-bay and you dont have to spend a fortune.
Think im going to buy another this spring. at that price might as well have 2

This is my "beast". It gets heavy at 6.2 pounds without a pad and buff. It does have a variable speed control from 600 to 3400 RPM so is a workhorse. I do recommend it but - it is heavy!!! at any arm extension

Sorry about the picture size above - I'm still trying to get used to my new picture processing software

I know you are talking electric, but I like my air buffer. Very light, small & you can control the air pressure to greatly reduce/eliminate burning the paint, especially the occasional times when the buffer catches an edge.

I bought porter cable from these guys. They have everything you need and it works great. But I'll bet the one Severson bought will last generations. I've seen one in action. But it'll also tear shizzle up real quick if you don't know what you are doing.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

kitz

when i was detailing cars at the dealership we used Dewalts and the 1 Milwaukee we had died. but you have white, yellow, blue,(wool pads) and the yellow foam buffing pads with heavy,medium, and fine cut for buffing compounds which you use for scratches or paint finishing. but what we used on dull cars is the fine cut or polish with the yellow foam pad with the speed at 3-5 in a 1-6 speed option and try avoid egdes and corners cause it makes an easy hot spot to take the paint off and press lightly it is time consuming to buff out cars and a timely process and always clean the pads with the spur when switching compounds.

i like the snap on / black& decker variable speed and is a good weight a also have a milwaukee that work good .i would buy a buffer that is light ,a heavy buff you have to hold off the paint a bit more and if you buff every day like i did it is a bitch and if you buy a buffer with no variadle speed you will burn out the switch from getting on and off to try to slow the wheel speed down a lot of the new paints and foam wheels work much better at low speed any ways less out want to burn paint . over 27 years i never had a spur just use a snap on phillips screwdrive they clean out the wheel better

An Air Buffer is an excellent tool , but it requires alot of air Volume , and are fairly expensive to boot . I also like the 2 sided wool pad that is used with them .

I also use an air Dynabrade 3" palm buffer for small parts and hard to get to body areas , another expensive tool , but sure beats hand buffing/polishing

If your not using it for everyday dependable usage , I wouldnt purchase an expensive buffer .

I have never had the chance to use one of the smaller Porter-Cable units but look small and light to use .

I dry sand with a 1500 grit on a 6" , then use the 3000 Trizac 3M 6" Da sand paper with a mist of water on the pad , and sand over the 1500 areas, and you can go straight to polish , works like a charm .

If your going to use a foam buffer pad to buff with be careful with them as they build heat fast and have a tendency to burn the paint /clear and can warp hoods , roofs and deck lids , and when they start to dry out from buffing and working the compound they will start to make the buffer hop and skip , so make sure you only work a small area at a time ,a 20" x20" square area is sufficient at a time to keep an eye on the area .

i hate them air eatting whinny air buffers .i did cut the finsh with a da with paper dry . i went back to step sanding wet sanding much better job really no need to go past 1500 i think if you have the right wheel and compond i use foam only for the final finsh buff i still like wool for working up the finsh

I use the meguiars buffer and love it! And for my rims I use the mothers power ball(and also love it!)

Unless you are a pro, get a buffer such as a porter cable with a vented pad. Most buffeers you will burn your paint if your not experienced. I believe Girratts is one of the companies that still sell vented padded buffers. I have one and you cannot burn the paint.
Good luck