Random Orbit Buffer ??

[Super Black]

Hi, first post, but I've learned a ton from this site in a short time, so thanks for that.

My wife bought me a Black and Decker Mega Mouse 4 in one Polisher/Sander for Father's day.

http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=5467&RHID=961&P=ProductDetail.aspx&ATT=AttachmentDetail.aspx&ACC=AccessoryDetail.aspx&ACS=AccessoySet.aspx&R=ProductListByBrand.aspx

I have no experience with machine polishing/waxing, but I have done some research here and at Autopia. I realize that it's no PC, but as long as it will decrease my time/effort when detailing my car I'm all for keeping it. Plus, we really can't afford the PC right now. The car I will be doing is an '05 Altima, so the paint is in great shape right now.

I have been reading that you should use slower roatation speeds when polishing, but this unit only has one speed and it's around 10,500 OPM (orbits per minute). Is that going to be too fast for things like NXT or Meg's various lighter polishes?

Thanks

[bchivers]

I too am knew to this site. You will find that it is very addicting. I am not an expert, just finished my first detail, couldn't believe my truck could look so good. I also received an orbital for fathers day, a seven inch from Sears,3800 opm. After using for a few hours I had to stop it (shouck) me to death. It did an ok job, but I took it back and decided to get a better unit. After much reading and searching I settled on the pc. Like you I couldn't afford the one that Meguiar's sells, the life time warranty sure would have been nice though. The best deal I found was from Coastal Tools http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...087026793#cart $129.99. It is an awsome machine. Now to your question I think that is way to fast the top speed on the pc is 6000 opm. The main thing is to enjoy and have fun.

[tguil]

Super Black,

I don't think that I'd try the Mega Mouse 4 on a new vehicle, especially a black one. I've been in the same position where I have received gifts from my wife and others that I can't use. Right now I have a "palm pilot" that I got from my daughter that I don't have the need for. I don't like the feeling I get from not using it.

Well, back to the detailing. With a new vehicle you will be able to get along very well "by hand" for quite a while. Just use the right products. Save up and get a PC.

You might need to clay your new Altima for rail dust and other crud. Then use a mild Meguiar's cleaner followed by NXT tech wax.
Apply the products with foam pads and remove them with microfiber polishing cloths. Your results will be great.

Tom

[Super Black]

Thanks for the response guys. It's always a little tricky when it comes to gifts like this. She really tried, and her reasoning was that we could also use it for sanding since we are new home owners. I agree with her, but when I found out that the speed was so high, I started to wonder about doing damage to the paint with it.

To be honest, there is no way I can get my hands on a PC for a long time. She wouldn't understand spending $130 on a buffer(not to mention the pads and product) when there are things out there for $50. Not her fault, she just doesn't understand the difference. So, the PC is out for a while.

I have already done the car once by hand with Step #2 and NXT with great results, but it also took around 4 hours from set up to clean up. We have a 2 year old, and I hate leaving her with him alone for that long as her mood tends to deteriorate quickly, and then..... well the rest is self explanatory.

I think this was a gift for both of us in that it would help me get through the process much faster. Are there other options out there that are in the same price range, but are more suited for the task?

[mrzeee]

return it get your $50 back...give it her and tell her to use the money for the next time she buys you a present and maybe she'll cough up the rest to buy the PC...or she'll be ticked and go buy a pair of shoes or something!

[Bri9801]

Mega Mouse on the car.....No way.....But i have one and it does a pretty good job of sanding wood.

[TOGWT]

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

The max speed (#5) is 6,000OPM on a PC and that speed is rarely used, so 10K+ I would hesitate to use it.

When you have more practice the 4 hour detailing will become less, even using products by hand ( ie ColorX, NXT Tech Wax and Spray Wax) will give great results.

I would put away the 10K+ OPM sander and save for a PC, just tell your wife you need more practice with it before you use it on the car, if she asks

~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon
justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *

[tguil]

I've been married for 40 years. My wife still doesn't understand my spending habits, but now that my only child is long out of college and I am pretty much out of debt, I just spend what I pretty much please. BUT for a long, long time I did not.

I suggest that you take the MegaMouse 4 back unless you plan to do a lot of sanding. (I still don't have a power sander and I've been a home owner for over thirty years and have gone through three new houses with all of the maintenace that goes with them.)

Use your refund for something else either for the car or your house or perhaps just a night out. Do your detailing by hand with products that are easy to use. I was a very good father and still found time to maintain my vehicles by hand. I kept them all in pristine condition. I used to get excellent results with one step cleaner/waxes. They look great if you apply them often enough -- every 6-8 weeks.

Even with a PC I can easly spend over 4 hours from start to finish on a vehicle. If I were really rushed for time I would probably go back to the cleaner/wax procedure. The Meguiar's consumer line cleaner/wax is a darned good product as is the professional line #6 cleaner/wax.

It sounds like you have a pretty good family situation. Enjoy it. Spend the time with you son. It will be time well spent. I am an elementary school principal. I know stuff like this.


Tom

[Super Black]

Thanks guys. I actually told her today that it was going back. She agreed that we really aren't looking to remove the paint from the car. She's usually good like that.

I argree that "by hand" results with the products I have now are great. If it weren't for the amount of time it takes doing multi step detailing I wouldn't even need a machine at all. Also, since the paint is new, there are only very minor imperfections in it. I know that I would be able to get out there and care for it more often if the whole process didn't eat up half the day. By doing that, I can hope to keep the paint in great condition.

I did see a couple of cheaper craftsman machines at sears that while they aren't what I really want, they are cheap enough that I could return the Mega mouse and get one of those for now and still have $$ left over. One is only $20, one speed (3800 opm) (I know you get what you pay for) and if it couold give me the same results as doing it by hand in half the time, I could then save for the PC and all necessary pads etc and get that after the winter, or for christmas or something. Not sure yet.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but does anyone have any experience with any of the craftsman models??

Edited to add: Thanks for the advice Tom, makes sense to me.

[tguil]

Super Black,

I used a Waxmaster 11-inch orbital buffer for years. (I still have it and used it to remove NXT tech wax from my wife's Tacoma just last Sunday.) It is very similar to the Craftsman buffer/polishers. I was very satisfied with the results I got from it. Very satisfied. With the right products, it will remove light marring and swirls AND it will save you time. I used it with cleaner/wax, straight wax, #9, #83 and some compounds that I probably shouldn't have used with it. Take back the Black and Decker and go with the best Craftsman you can afford. Both you and your wife will be quite happy with the decision.

Tom

[mrzeee]

the PC can multi-task...polish your car...and get some sanding pads (which the PC was originally designed for) got to an unfinished furniture store, sand and stain/finish something for wifey and you'll both be happy!

[Super Black]

I Think I'll look into the Craftsman for now, and then save for the PC. Thanks for all the advice guys, it's very much appreciated.

SB

[Bri9801]

Hey Super Black,

Where in Mass are you? I have a Craftsman buffer that I will giv eyou if you are close enough to me.

I have a PC and have never used nor will I ever use the Craftsman.

Shoot me a PM

[the newbie]

time difference......


i think i live in a different time zone,overhere you'll still find o4
types,05 is 6 months away
hihi

Rick

[Focusedonsound]

Keep your eyes on e-bay.... I sometimes see PC's used for approx 50-60.00 sometimes less! Thats where I got mine... When I got it ...I made sure with the previous owner that it was fully operational and had no problems!

I got it ... cleaned it up a bit... I used it a few times ... and then found a friend that worked for a repair center. He gave it a once over ... for $20.00 I still made out well! I still made out well being that I pretty much stole mine off of ebay for 30.00