Best machine?

9

99atlantic

New member
I've had enough of hand polishing for a while so I've been researching machines....if cost didn't matter (within reason - say at most $500), what buffer would you recommend for somebody whose never used one before? I've been learning towards a cyclo, but wanted to get somemore opinoins before I buy anything. Thanks.
 
IMO... if you've never used a machine, then go with a Flex... perfect that. Maybe even (If you felt compelled) buy a rotary (i use a makita). Go to a junkyard or only do JUNK cars that it wouldn't matter how much you hurt the paint and practice practice practice.



I would just stick with a flex or UDM for a beginner tho.
 
'Best machine' is completely subjective. You are going to get several different answers to this question. I would recommend an orbital to start, and there are several good ones out there; PC, Cyclo, UDM, Flex etc.
 
i was in the same situation you are in not too long ago. i did everything by hand. I used a friends porter cable and absolutely loved it. So, I ordered a Flex! you will spend a little more but imo it will get you the most correction w/out running into problems associated with rotary polishers
 
'will it be safe for soft clear coats like honda or toyota?106 is pretty popular.Hope it will work well with PC/UDM\r\n
baseballlover1 said:
I would recomend menzerna! Their whole line is AMAZING! ... ide buy SIP and 106 if i was in your position.
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99atlantic-One thing to consider when choosing a machine is what vehicle it'll be used on most of the time.



Much as I love my Cyclos, they just don't do well with the contours of vehicles like my XJS...so I ended up getting a PC, which works better on that car.



The Flex seems *great* but it won't (AFAIK) take small (e.g., 4") pads, which might be a big deal on certain vehicles.



cls- As for newbie-frienldy polishes, I recommend 1Z's consumer line. They're effective and easy to use; it's not hard to tell when the abrasives have broken down, they *never* (at least IME) leave a hard-to-buff-off residue, and you can't really overwork them as they turn into a sorta cleaner-wax after the abrasives are broken down. I'm not knocking other polishes, just recommending what *I* think is best for a beginner.
 
Ask yourself how much detailing you plan to do? The answer for me was to start with a PC, never regretted that and even though I bought a Makita rotary too, I still use that PC a good bit. And another vote for Menzerna - better than all the other stuff I've tried and tons of how-to threads if you have a question.
 
I've been splitting my time between looking at the Cyclos and Flex's - guess atleast I was on the right track :buffing:





Accumulator said:
99atlantic-One thing to consider when choosing a machine is what vehicle it'll be used on most of the time.



Much as I love my Cyclos, they just don't do well with the contours of vehicles like my XJS...so I ended up getting a PC, which works better on that car.



The Flex seems *great* but it won't (AFAIK) take small (e.g., 4") pads, which might be a big deal on certain vehicles.
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Viper, z06, g35, 65 cobra - I don't think the countours would make it difficult to use either a Cyclo or a Flex ; but then again, I've never used one so I really wouldn't know!
 
99atlantic said:
..[I'll be working one]..Viper, z06, g35, 65 cobra - I don't think the countours would make it difficult to use either a Cyclo or a Flex ; but then again, I've never used one so I really wouldn't know!
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The '65 Cobra is probably iffy with regard to the Cyclo :think: :confused: If it were a wide-body Cobra it's be a good example of what *not* to try doing with a Cyclo; the narrow-body ones aren't *quite* as definite but I dunno for sure. I bet the Viper would have some contours that wouldn't be Cyclo friendly.



Gee, I had to knock the Cyclo but sometimes it just isn't the right configuration for the job and those aren't always the cases that you'll expect to cause problems (unless you're accustomed to the machine).
 
99atlantic said:
I've been splitting my time between looking at the Cyclos and Flex's - guess atleast I was on the right track :buffing:









Viper, z06, g35, 65 cobra - I don't think the countours would make it difficult to use either a Cyclo or a Flex ; but then again, I've never used one so I really wouldn't know!
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1965 cobra............very tasty im drooling.
 
It's kinda strange. Seemed like right before the UDM came out everyone was swinging from it's nutz and now it seems like it hardly recommended. I think it's kinda underestimated myself.
 
Accumulator said:
The '65 Cobra is probably iffy with regard to the Cyclo :think: :confused: If it were a wide-body Cobra it's be a good example of what *not* to try doing with a Cyclo; the narrow-body ones aren't *quite* as definite but I dunno for sure. I bet the Viper would have some contours that wouldn't be Cyclo friendly.



Gee, I had to knock the Cyclo but sometimes it just isn't the right configuration for the job and those aren't always the cases that you'll expect to cause problems (unless you're accustomed to the machine).
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I figure the worst case is to just do those areas by hand, just like when I'm polishing metal - some areas too hard to get the buffer in, so I just do it by hand and you really can't tell that much of a difference (and no difference after several weeks of use, hehe!)



Do you think a Flex would be more appropriate for me?





superchargedg said:
1965 cobra............very tasty im drooling.
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I should mention it's not an original - it's a Factory Five - but it's got a N/A SBF 408w making 670hp. :woohoo:
 
99atlantic- Ah, so the Cobra *does* have some pretty big fenders, huh?



The flex might be the better choice, it's really hard to say and I've never used a Flex.



I think you've boiled it down to the likely candidates and at some point you have to guess which one will best suit *you*. I know, that's not much help :o



Some people hav a big issue with the Cyclo's only having one speed...doesn't bother me though.



never gone said:
It's kinda strange. Seemed like right before the UDM came out everyone was swinging from it's nutz and now it seems like it hardly recommended. I think it's kinda underestimated myself.
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Once it got field tested there seemed to be questions regarding its reliablity.



Not having tried the UDM either, but going by reports from people I consider reliable, I'd recommend it *IF* I were convinced that the reliablity was OK.



In fact, I'd *love* to recommend it, what with David B.'s involvement!
 
I've had a Cyclo for some time now and use it on both my Lexus RX350 and Porsche 944. Have used other machines in the past and I must confess that I find the Cyclo beautifully balanced and haven't found a situation (yet) that it can't handle.
 
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