10 Inch Random Orbit Polisher

[00Monte]

I was at Mom and Dad's this weekend and my Dad and I were talking about polishers. He said he had a random orbit polisher I could have. He went and got it and it is a Craftsman 10" random orbit polisher. It uses bonnets instead of pads (as you know). What is the best method of using this polisher with the different Meguiars products? I still plan to get the PC but thought I would use this in the meantime. It has one foam bonnet with it. It also has some wool bonnets. I bought a two pack of terry bonnets. Which bonnets should I use with which products? For instance, I use ScratchX, Deep Crystal Polish and NXT wax. What is a good application for these two products with this polisher?

[evo77]

I too would like to know this as well.

I have two 6" orbital buffers. (craftsman and black & decker)

I have used them to apply paint cleaner products and have worked real well. I use foam bonnets.

It would be nice to see a list of which Meguiars products can be used with an orbital buffer and give good results. Although I realize the PC unit is much better and is preferred by most, I wonder if I can achieve a happy medium with my handy orbital.

[manueljlg]

I have a TW orbital buffer but i don´t use it anymore since I bought a PC. I used it to apply DC step 2 and 3 with a TC bonnet.
They help a little to apply product, but don´t expect to remove pain deffects with them.

[evo77]

I beg to differ.

I was able to remove a mass amount of rotary swirl marks that was left by a body shop on my 99 honda civic. 3M Swirl Remover a foam bonnet and my Craftsman 6" buffer got them out.

[00Monte]

evo77,

Where did you get your foam bonnets? And do you know what level of abrasiveness they are equal to in PC pads? For example is it like a finishing pad or polishing pad?

I have one of those in the case that Dad already had. I hesitate to use it without knowing how much cutting it will do. I contacted Craftsman and they gave the email equivilent of a shrug and said we have no idea.

[sky8811]

Hi 00Monte,

I've a 9" waxmaster random orbit polisher which uses bonnets instead of pads just like yours.

I've modified it by removing the polisher's foam pad and glued few valco stripe onto the polisher's backing plat. Then I purchased Meg's 8" softbuff polishing pad W-8000, the result is AWSOME....

Now I applied Meg's #80 & NXT using W-8000 on the waxmaster random orbit polisher, remove the wax using Meg's ultimate bonnet over W-8000 polishing pad.

Hope this help

sky8811

[Mark McGuire]

Hey 00Monte,,
Before I found this Forum I too used a 11" AC Delco ROB. It did a pretty good job, I used the Deep Crystal 1,2,3 System. I got the terry cloth bonnets from any auto store, most all have them.

Now I have the PC which I purchased from Lowes about 4 months ago and more pads, MF's, clay, and product than my wife thinks I really need.

I have taken my paint to a new level and its all because of this forum, Meguiar's, and the many fine people that didn't mind anwsering my questions.

Don't use the wool bonnets, stay with the terry ones, its not a PC but it will do a good job, and its easier than by hand. Use it, and you will notice a BIG differance, and so will your friends.
Good luck

[George G.]

I actually have the same RO buffer. I've applied and removed DC polish with it so far and have removed Gold Class paste wax as well. My only problem with it is the large pad is quite firm and does not mold well to the contours of the body creases and such. This makes it hard to polish some creases as well as remove wax from them. I usually have to go back over my work and remove polish/wax from certain areas that the buffer couldn't reach. I don't know if this is common even with the DA Polisher though. My other dislike is that with the random orbit, it's difficult to get product coverage all the way to the edge of the paint. The random orbit buffer has a good 1/4 - 1/2 inch travel during movement and is nearly impossible to get close to the edge without getting it on trim moulding. Hope this helps.

[00Monte]

George and Mark,

Thanks for the comments and info. It is helpful to know that a terry bonnet and some DC polish will work well with this polisher. My black paint looks awesome from a reasonable distance. But get up close and it is swirl and micromar city. Even if it helps a little it would be nice to see a difference there.

George, one advantage I do have is that a lot of my trim is painted trim. There is not much exposed rubber trim on the Monte. My problems are usually more getting it in seams between panels and that sort of thing - which is no big deal.

I have become a Meguiars fanatic. I love everything I have used so far. Just need to get more products to try so I can keep taking the car to the next better level.

[Zitosonic]

Originally posted by evo77
I too would like to know this as well.

I have two 6" orbital buffers. (craftsman and black & decker)

I have used them to apply paint cleaner products and have worked real well. I use foam bonnets.

It would be nice to see a list of which Meguiars products can be used with an orbital buffer and give good results. Although I realize the PC unit is much better and is preferred by most, I wonder if I can achieve a happy medium with my handy orbital.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2524

maybe this helps...

[evo77]

Originally posted by Zitosonic
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...&threadid=2524

maybe this helps...

Kind of but not really.

That's for use with a much faster PC unit. I wonder if the lowest setting of the PC is equal to the speed of an orbital (3800 random orbits per minute)?

[evo77]

Originally posted by 00Monte
evo77,

Where did you get your foam bonnets? And do you know what level of abrasiveness they are equal to in PC pads? For example is it like a finishing pad or polishing pad?

I have one of those in the case that Dad already had. I hesitate to use it without knowing how much cutting it will do. I contacted Craftsman and they gave the email equivilent of a shrug and said we have no idea.

I actually use the Black & Decker 6" foam bonnets on my Craftsman orbital. When I get home I can post the part number. I've ordered several directly from B&D.

Think of a meguiars foam applicator pad. That is what type the bonnet is.

[00Monte]

Well, not only that, but there are other factors like the kind of pad on the PC (polishing, finishing, fine finishing etc...) versus a terry bonnet. Speed certainly is a consideration though.

I just wish there was some way to fit a 6" hook and loop backing plate to the Craftsman polisher. Then just use the pads that are available. Don't think it can be done other than the glue idea mentioned earlier and I'm not too sure about that idea for a ten inch pad.

Sounding more and more like it is time to take the PC dive. With the deal going on for members right now, I may just go ahead and jump in with both feet.

[00Monte]

evo77,

That would be awesome if you could post the part number on the B&D foam bonnets. Would love to have some of those to try out. I have looked in stores and haven't seen any.

[evo77]

Just to give you a visual here are what the bonnets look like:

Model WP900