So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

[Ric0h]

I was watching some youtube videos lately regarding auto detailing.

And on comments, I keep seeing that a buffer is not needed, that everything should be done by hand, is that true?

Is there something a buffer can do that a hand wont do as well?

Is the only benefit of a buffer to save your hand some force?

[Clutch34]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

Using a buffer will make the overall paint correction experience A LOT easier on your body! It IS possible to get similar results by hand, but will take A LOT longer. At the Meguiar's class we had in Dallas, Mike Phillips said he did one side of a hood in 30 mins with "perfect" results while he did the other side by hand with the same results, but that took him 2 hours 30 minutes (if I remember correctly). But that doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to properly correct paint by hand because there are some parts of cars where the buffer is just too bulky to fit. Anyways, having a buffer will just make the job a little easier.

[Murr1525]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

Yeah, there is nothing should or should not.... just have to use the proper products, tools, and what you can afford.

[Greg W]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

Gotta have more than one tool in the tool box. Buffers are great for bulk work but dont get into tight areas very well. And in the same idea, while you can buff out an entire full size van or truck by hand, why kill yourself with the large flat areas.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

With the right amount of passion, you can achieve fantastic results by hand, Having said that. Once you use a d/a you will never turn back. They make every aspect of the job so much easier.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

You should never use.......any tool.......incorrectly.

Let's define "tool" here.

Rotary buffer
D/A buffer
Applicator pads (wool, foam, terry cloth, microfiber)
Liquid or paste chemical (compound, cleaner, polish, wax, sealant)
Towel (microfiber, terry cloth, Turkish Towel, cheesecloth)
Your hands (right or left )


We've seen guys who are incredibly skilled with their hands do truly amazing work on paint, but many of them have been doing this since the days of relatively soft single stage paints. If they posses that skill and enjoy doing it, more power to them. But to dismiss outright any process because it runs contrary to your preferred method is to deprive yourself of new found knowledge.

We also know plenty of guys who live and die by the rotary buffer and will tell you that a D/A, even a good one like Meguiar's G110v2 and others, is a mere toy and they can't do any real work. That's just a closed minded viewpoint, probably seeded in experience with low power orbitals.

We also know people who will tell you to never use a rotary buffer because it will tear up the paint, leave it full of swirls and holograms, and remove all the clear coat. In the hands of a novice, much of that has been known to happen. But in skilled hands it is an amazing tool.

Bottom line: you can damage your paint using any tool (including your hands) if you use the tool wrong.

[BobbyG]

Re: So I've Heard...... buffer not necessary

I think the paint correction stage "needs" a buffer in order to produce uniform results but see no reason why you couldn't do the rest by hand applicators.