Harbor Freight?

[Calais]

Re: Harbor Freight?

So, I bought it. I'm thinking of holding off on using it until I get Meguiar's backing plate and maybe a few more pads. Looks like Rick from ADS is getting even more of my money.

[sontakke]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Try the included foam pad with a polish of your choice at speed III. I think you would be happy and the risk is minimal.

- Vikas

[JoeDirt]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Be VERY careful of speed, if you got the variable speed unit. I used 3 of them on ONE '91 Taurus SHO reconditioning. The unit would speed up on it's own, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. I had to exchange them until I finished the car, then returned the last one for good. I've got some good HF stuff and some bad HF stuff. IMHO, the variable speed rotary buffer isn't one of the good ones.

The last time I was using it- the unit speed control took off on me and the velcro backed pad tore loose and frisbee'd off the unit, over the fence, across the street, and onto US-131. I must admit- THAT was hilarious...

It did turn this:







Into this:





So it is capable, but after driving 80 miles round trip to exchange each one so I could finish, I'll spend the $$ on a better one next time.

[ziggo99]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Could you post a link to the foam gun? This sounds like a good deal

[Cole Ziegler]

Re: Harbor Freight?

I have an old Black and Decker Sander/Polisher rotary that I use whenever I need it, with an old megs wool pad on it probably from the 80s! Works just fine and gives good results, usually have to comeover with the PC and M205 though but it works for me.... planning to invest in a megs backing plate and burgundy wool pad sometime soon, just a lot of $$ for a backing plate

[Cole Ziegler]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Btw... just checked the HF catalog mailed to me the other day and all I see is:

Chicago Electric 7" Polisher
-10amp motor
-1000-3500 rpms
-easy to read LCD display
-all ball and needle bearing construction

for $59.99.... surely this isnt it?

[JoeDirt]

Re: Harbor Freight?

This was the one I had:

CLICK ME

[Calais]

Re: Harbor Freight?

This was the one I had:

CLICK ME

That's the one I bought and used today. I will post more information on that tomorrow.

Could you post a link to the foam gun? This sounds like a good deal

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95996

I used it today and it was absolutely great! It is wonderful for a presoak and to make your wash process quicker. For $12, even if it breaks it is definitely worth the practicality. Plus, you can switch between soapy water and plain water and use the revolving head to change the thickness of the foam and the spray pattern.

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Harbor Freight?

That's the one I bought and used today. I will post more information on that tomorrow.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95996

I used it today and it was absolutely great! It is wonderful for a presoak and to make your wash process quicker. For $12, even if it breaks it is definitely worth the practicality. Plus, you can switch between soapy water and plain water and use the revolving head to change the thickness of the foam and the spray pattern.

What soap did you use with it?

[Superior Shine]

Re: Harbor Freight?

I think I have 8 or 10 of those buffers. They are noisy, smell like they are burning and the speed fluctuates but........ we ran them hard on two WW2 bombers and they all survived.

[Calais]

Re: Harbor Freight?

What soap did you use with it?

Gold Class, not as foamy as many other soaps can be so I was not too surprised when my car was not covered in snow-like foam. It does, however, make a perfect pre-soak medium with only ~4oz of GC I had way more than enough to pre-soak and wash my parents' 2001 Saturn.

[sontakke]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Gold Class, not as foamy as many other soaps can be so I was not too surprised when my car was not covered in snow-like foam. It does, however, make a perfect pre-soak medium with only ~4oz of GC I had way more than enough to pre-soak and wash my parents' 2001 Saturn.

Next time, can you take the picture of the "foamed" car? How does it compare to what you see on the internet with Gilmore foam gun?


- Vikas

[Calais]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Next time, can you take the picture of the "foamed" car? How does it compare to what you see on the internet with Gilmore foam gun?


- Vikas

Not as foamy but definitely more than sufficient to soak/wash a car. This is isn't exactly the same spray nozzle as the one I have, but the results are similar (little bit more suds for mine I believe). Mine seems to be of heavier construction but mine was twice the price.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/65569-cheap-foam-gun-test-ocw.html

[JoeDirt]

Re: Harbor Freight?

Hey Superior Shine- That would be awesome to work on old planes like that!

I saw this pic:



and this was the first one I thought of... All in good fun...



I need to wash Snowball tomorrow, so I'm going to pick up one of those foamguns and give it a whirl...

[Calais]

Re: Harbor Freight?

I need to wash Snowball tomorrow, so I'm going to pick up one of those foamguns and give it a whirl...

I think you will be happy with it.