I own a 10" orbital that seems to have a pretty good amount of power..it doesn't stall if you lean into it. I've noticed that there are very few threads about orbital use. Are these tools really obsolete? Are there decent foam stretch pads that can be effectively used with an orbital? Are there some polishes that work OK with them?
Orbital use..tips??
- Thread starter unclearty
- Start date
JasonC8301
New member
I own an 11 inch orbital from Craftsman. Only one speed setting. Moves too slow and doesn't offer enough power to remove swirls. Only thing I see it is a weekend consumer non-enthusiast car waxer waxing their car type of tool (or someone too cheap to get a PC 
)
I would not recommend using a polish with your buffer.
) I would not recommend using a polish with your buffer.
glass_image
New member
i thought polishes gave best results w/ a buffer?
JasonC8301
New member
The right polishes give the best results with a rotary buffer operated by someone with the right know-how.
The generic 10 inch or so orbital buffers with one speed (usually around 3K OPM) will polish but not as well as the better orbital/dual action polishers with a speed setting from ususally 0 OPM to up to 7K OPM.
I believe the 10 inch buffer unclearty has just will not work well or he will be dissappointed by the performance of the orbital/polish.
The generic 10 inch or so orbital buffers with one speed (usually around 3K OPM) will polish but not as well as the better orbital/dual action polishers with a speed setting from ususally 0 OPM to up to 7K OPM.
I believe the 10 inch buffer unclearty has just will not work well or he will be dissappointed by the performance of the orbital/polish.
JasonC8301
New member
Well if you're swirls/scratches are that bad then a PC might not save you. The PC is designed for decent/good finishes (medium swirling, light scratching.) It makes good paint better. If the paint is shot to crap be ready to use the PC for a good time polishing. The PC doesn't generate enough heat to break down polishes quickly, but it takes a good amount of time (varies between polishes.) Its faster than by hand but not as quick as a rotary.
The PC is a great light weight machine for light polishing and UPC. It would do this job 100% over the 10" orbital. the PC is along the lines of an orbital, the pad oscillates in a random/figure 8 pattern.
Just don't expect a PC to bring bad a really really nasty neglected finish. With the right technique and polish you can make good paint great, but paint thats nearing a re-paint, try a rotary......
The PC is a great light weight machine for light polishing and UPC. It would do this job 100% over the 10" orbital. the PC is along the lines of an orbital, the pad oscillates in a random/figure 8 pattern.
Just don't expect a PC to bring bad a really really nasty neglected finish. With the right technique and polish you can make good paint great, but paint thats nearing a re-paint, try a rotary......