Orbital buffer usage- tips, etc?
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Orbital buffer usage- tips, etc?
A friend is going to loan me his buffer tomorrow and I wanted to get some tips and how-to's so I do not screw anything up- always did it by hand.
I want to get rid of all the swirl marking in my black paint. Also I have 2 very fine scratches that I would like to work on. I have some 3M swirl remover stuff and Zaino of course. Can I apply both of those with this machine? I am kinda leery about the swirl remover, since I think this buffer has a lot more power then when I do it by hand. So if anyone can shoot me some tips and how-to's I would appreciate it.
PS: the buffer is on where the pad spins and the whole head rotates also. My friend said you just go in lines, and NOT to use it on plastic, since it will melt- which means no backend I guess.
I want to get rid of all the swirl marking in my black paint. Also I have 2 very fine scratches that I would like to work on. I have some 3M swirl remover stuff and Zaino of course. Can I apply both of those with this machine? I am kinda leery about the swirl remover, since I think this buffer has a lot more power then when I do it by hand. So if anyone can shoot me some tips and how-to's I would appreciate it.
PS: the buffer is on where the pad spins and the whole head rotates also. My friend said you just go in lines, and NOT to use it on plastic, since it will melt- which means no backend I guess.
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Tom, orbitals are no-brainer machines.....
Unfortunately, for the most part, orbitals won't help a lot with scratches. In my experience, the only machine that will really help with surface scratches are high-speed buffers.
Really, to use an orbital, all you need to do is put a very small amount(1/2 tsp) of whatever you're using and run it over the paint until you stop seeing the product spreading anymore. Then start all over again until the whole car is covered.
Here's an extreme example. I spent quite a bit of time today helping my ex-wife get her Blazer ready to sell. The paint was in such poor shape that I ended up having to wet-sand the whole hood and some of the rest of the body.
<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1435687&a=13229482&p=50166175">
Of course, wet-sanding leaves nothing but thousands of hair-line scratches in the paint. An orbital won't go very far in removing these. The only way to really go after scratches is with a high-speed buffer.
Anyway......you may be able to remove most of the swirls with the orbital, but high-speed is the only way to remove scratches unless you want to try to work them out by hand with a more abrasive compound.
Really, to use an orbital, all you need to do is put a very small amount(1/2 tsp) of whatever you're using and run it over the paint until you stop seeing the product spreading anymore. Then start all over again until the whole car is covered.
Here's an extreme example. I spent quite a bit of time today helping my ex-wife get her Blazer ready to sell. The paint was in such poor shape that I ended up having to wet-sand the whole hood and some of the rest of the body.
<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1435687&a=13229482&p=50166175">
Of course, wet-sanding leaves nothing but thousands of hair-line scratches in the paint. An orbital won't go very far in removing these. The only way to really go after scratches is with a high-speed buffer.
Anyway......you may be able to remove most of the swirls with the orbital, but high-speed is the only way to remove scratches unless you want to try to work them out by hand with a more abrasive compound.
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couple more questions
Do I put the wax or polish or whatever I am going to use directly on the paint, or on the pad that spins? How much would 1/2 tsp cover with a 10 or 12" pad? Would the orbital take out those little swirls that seem to show themselves more on black paint- would I use a wax or an actual compound for that? Final question, should I wash the car completly down, get rid of all wax on the car first, then go after the swirls?
Thanks Jason!
Thanks Jason!
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I think the key here is the "random" part of the orbit....a standard orbital can burn the paint....
....because it always repeats the same circular patern when it orbits. However, a random orbit buffer draws a non circular patern when it orbits so it doesn't keep hitting the same pieces of paint over and over, thus no burning possible.
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I have found that the harder you press on the random orbit , the slower it will go - very safe
Very safe and fast, my only experience is with the Porter cable random orbit.
I, personally, wouldn't use an orbital machine.
Paul
I, personally, wouldn't use an orbital machine.
Paul
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Sorry...would only use the random orbit (Porter cable, etc) because it is more foolproof
I used an orbital looong time ago..didn't like it..which is why I never used power. Til I heard all the hupla about the PC (random orbit) from Griots, Meguiars, etc. Decided to try it.
LOVE the results. So much faster. Use very little wax. Results are soo much better.
I'm sure there are other random orbits out there. No experience with them. Since I do woodworking and can appreciate Porter Cable. It was a no brainer. PC IS the best. You can feel the quality (and weight) of the unit. Put together great. Well balanced.
Paul
LOVE the results. So much faster. Use very little wax. Results are soo much better.
I'm sure there are other random orbits out there. No experience with them. Since I do woodworking and can appreciate Porter Cable. It was a no brainer. PC IS the best. You can feel the quality (and weight) of the unit. Put together great. Well balanced.
Paul
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I put it on the pad directly...small amount size of a half dollar or so..more it will spatter...
10" pad? thats huge..the Porter cable is 5 or 6" pads.
Just re-read your messge. If it is an orbital (not random orbit), I have no idea.
The Random orbit will remove swirl marks (with a good polish) and lighten scratchs a lot (again, with a good polish)
JUST SAY NO TO COMPOUND. a good cleaner/polish/wax will work very well for black cars. It should look wet when you are done.
wash car
dry car
clean paint (clay bar or 'cleaner' -like meguiars step 1)
apply quality polish
wax entire car...
THEN wax again, over wax, without removing first wax.
Wait 5-10 minutes (depending on brand)
remove wax with Cotton towel or approved microfiber towel - change towel frequently
If you used a quality polisher (PC or others) wax removal will be real easy (right Sandra??)
Paul
Just re-read your messge. If it is an orbital (not random orbit), I have no idea.
The Random orbit will remove swirl marks (with a good polish) and lighten scratchs a lot (again, with a good polish)
JUST SAY NO TO COMPOUND. a good cleaner/polish/wax will work very well for black cars. It should look wet when you are done.
wash car
dry car
clean paint (clay bar or 'cleaner' -like meguiars step 1)
apply quality polish
wax entire car...
THEN wax again, over wax, without removing first wax.
Wait 5-10 minutes (depending on brand)
remove wax with Cotton towel or approved microfiber towel - change towel frequently
If you used a quality polisher (PC or others) wax removal will be real easy (right Sandra??)
Paul