Orbital Buffer Q's

Debelli

Debelli

New member
So I go to Vegas - while the OH is at the casino, I'm out shopping :) Stopped at CHECKERS AUTO and found a 6" COLEMAN POWERMATE OB for $12.99. So now, what do I do with it?

It comes with 2 bonnets - one is a terry cloth - won't this damage the surface of the car? The other, a synthetic wool - ditto on the previous question.

I did see that they make a MF bonnet - worth getting?

Does anyone have any tips and/or recommendations on using this? I know many of you use a PC - I'm no where near ready to even think about something like that - it's enough I got this upon recommendations to get one. It's small enough that I think I can handle it. Now that I got it, what next? Are there any do's and/or don'ts with using this?

Any and all info is GREATLY appreciated, as always.

THANKS GUYS!!!!:D

Debbie

FYI - while at CHECKERS they have a STONER REBATE - it was when you purchase any STONER product they will refund the purchase price of 1 item up to $4.00. We don't have CHECKERS down here in FL, but just in case you have one near you, you may want to check them out for the rebate:)
 
I havent used it but im guessign it wont have enough power at all to remove any defects. I think the only thing it would be good for is waxing. I believe that the bonnets you mentioned would do some harm to the paint, the MF would be better but you dont know if that is a quality MF or not. I would say save your money for the PC. You will never regret purchasing one.

Greg
 
It says it has a 400rpm speed. I don't think I'm trying to remove any defects with this:dunno just trying to find something that will assist me with applying polish/wax products I guess.

Haven't a clue about the MF, just saw it, didn't "investiage" it. Is there a 6" bonnet that's made that would be good, possibly another "brand" that would fit this?

PC - it's not so much about the money, though after buying this AND going to Vegas, I'm broke. It was more for something that I could handle and would be more comfortable using. Just wanted something that would assist me in getting through the next step of learning to detail my car, beyond the washing and drying stage I've gotten use to.

:)
 
The PC is sayed to be 2500-6000 rpms (says on the box). I think that the orbital your looking at wont have much more ability than what you would by hand. I can imagine it woudl be less hard on your arms though. I think you will be able to control the PC its pretty light. I think you can get MF bonnets probably from our sponsers. I think i remember www.topoftheline.com having them. HTH

Greg
 
Oops, I forgot a O in there! It's 4000rpm. Less hard on arms would be beneficial - have shoulder pain without doing anything, can't imagine trying to polish a car by hand. So, would 4000rpm be sufficient?
 
Deb,

You really don't need to be afraid to handle the PC... it's a piece of cake.

Anyhow, for your questions. The others have pretty much hit it on the head. That polisher can probably be used to apply/remove waxes or sealants and that's about it. Provided, that the bonnets are of decent quality. Don't use the wool or cotton bonnets. If the MF towels are decent, they will be the ones you will want to use. If the MF bonnets don't look good... take the polisher back and try to get a refund.
 
BOSS, thanks - ummm, will have to make it work, taking back for a refund is NOT an option - don't plan on going back to Vegas for another year or so;)

Really, that's all I want to do with this little tool - nothing major - I don't have major issues to deal with with my car, it's new :) This is just to "aid and assist" me with not having my arm fall off when trying to wax the car.
 
try not to use much pressure on the machine while waxing. I think to reduce marring you will want to just let the wieght of the machine do the work.

Greg
 
Keep this in mind when you start comparing speeds - Orbitals are NOT measured in RPM's. They are measured in OPM's (orbits per minute). RPM's are what are used to measure rotaries - and 4000 RPM is quite fast. Just don't get confused with it, and while I'm sure you know what you meant, I just wanted to make that clarification for myself. :) Haha, my good deed for the day.

One way to look at it is like this -when you feel comfy with that polisher, you can make the next step up to a PC. How bout that Deb??
 
Let's just see how long it takes me to take it out of the box, much less plug it in and use it!

JARED, actually, the box DOES list it as having 4000 rpms - wonder why it doesn't list OPMS?????:dunno So, now official MORE confused!:dunno I would agree, when/if I get more comfortable with this, then I may think of moving on. But, by that time, they'll probably have robots to do it for you:lol

THANKS GUYS!!!
 
i would be weary about it saying rpms. a misconception like that can cost u a new paint job. also, the pc if the easiest, safest, and most effective tool for wha it is. its not meant for big big jobs but can tackle them with time. doesnt way a lot. practically idiot proof. only way u can damamge is by doing something totally unrelated to detailing, like using it as paperweight on the car or something. its more dangerous for u to by a cheap buffer and crappy pads than it is a pc.

i can one day let u hold and operate the pc. and to prove to you how safe it is, ill even let u use it on MY car!
 
WYSTANG - brave? No, I'd say more like sweet, but very stupid idea (no offense JOY);)

As I told my Mom, I'm as good gambling in Vegas as I am making a simple dish in the kitchen-no hope for either. I'd say that me holding a PC and trying to use it would be like giving me a scalpel and opening the doors to the operating room and saying "go for it!" :bigscream

I'd NEVER, EVER take JOY up on his offer. You'd hear him screaming all the way down to FLA CITY! Then, you'd hear about it on Channel 10 News-murder in W. Kendall over a buffer!:bigscream No, no, no, no, no......

JOY, you're definitely too trusting with me on that one - we'll just play show and tell, I'll watch while you show and tell;)
 
If it's a Porter Cable knockoff -- $12 ????? -- they probably mean "OPM's" and just used RPM's by mistake. JMHO.

Personally, for any decent cars, I'd buy quality. Get the PC.
 
This is a link to what I bought, the 6" is shown along with the 10", but I bought the smaller one:

ORBITAL BUFFER

The 6" Orbital Waxer/ Polisher is a palm-sized unit with a low-vibration direct motor. The 4,000 rpm orbital action results in the deepest cleaning and highest gloss shine. Powerful motor is quiet and lightweight. Includes a terry cloth bonnet for waxing and a synthetic wool bonnet for buffing.
 
It says $24.99.....looks very small, even at 4,000 OPM I like having the handle option on the PC for control....you might not want to do a whole car with a 1-handed machine. It's not like it will set you back a ton if you don't like it and you may use it for small local areas, but for an entire car, I like the versatility of the PC and all the interchangeable parts/pads you can use with it.
 
Debelli said:
WYSTANG - brave? No, I'd say more like sweet, but very stupid idea (no offense JOY);)

As I told my Mom, I'm as good gambling in Vegas as I am making a simple dish in the kitchen-no hope for either. I'd say that me holding a PC and trying to use it would be like giving me a scalpel and opening the doors to the operating room and saying "go for it!" :bigscream

I'd NEVER, EVER take JOY up on his offer. You'd hear him screaming all the way down to FLA CITY! Then, you'd hear about it on Channel 10 News-murder in W. Kendall over a buffer!:bigscream No, no, no, no, no......

JOY, you're definitely too trusting with me on that one - we'll just play show and tell, I'll watch while you show and tell;)
Click to expand...
:lol My thought exactly.
 
JARED, actually, the box DOES list it as having 4000 rpms - wonder why it doesn't list OPMS????? So, now official MORE confused!
Click to expand...

These machines are made in China, they don't know their RPM's from their OPM's. Yes, it's a small easy to use wax/polish applicator and remover i other words, an orbital. It will not remove defects. You can use a MF bonnet instead of terry but I don't think you will notice a difference unless you're going for a car show finish.

Frank
 
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