budget RA polisher

[Spidey]

is there a point getting somethign economical just for applying cleaners, polishes and UC, like this http://www.shoptoit.ca/brand-double-...6-in/11082961/

I do not want to invest in something expensive as I do not plan on doing any serious detailing such as using higher abrasive compounds and polishers such as in the megs mirror glaze/commercial line stuff..

All I want is something that would give me a break from doing it all by hand. If something like this would damage my paint, I would rather do it by hand, but sometimes it is just too tiring.. Again, I am only going to use it for step 1 cleaner, step 2 polish, and or UC.

Lastly, I will always wax and remove products by hand.. it is only for application of the pre wax products.

[Spidey]

Re: budget RA polisher

sorry i meant to type RO polisher for the title

[imacarnut]

Re: budget RA polisher

Walmart has one like that made by turtle wax, but I would pass on it. Save up and buy a real DA like the G110v2, PCXP, etc. It's money well spent and you'll wish you bought one alot sooner. It's one of the best purchases I've ever spent my $'s on and it pays for itself within a use or two.

[Shawn T.]

Re: budget RA polisher

Save up for the DA.

[agp56]

Re: budget RA polisher

Some of the questions that go into the decision making process on recommending a tool like this are:
How many vehicles do you own?
How often do you expect to wax?
How long do you want the tool to last?
Do you ever expect to do other peoples vehicles?
How old and in what kind of physical condition are you?

I bought my PC 7424XP about 6 years ago. I was trying to keep a reasonable appearance on 5 cars (all daily drivers) that all stay outside. At that time I was 47 years of age.
I was trying to correct (at least the larger problems) and wax those 5 vehicles a minimum of twice a year. I had been given one of the smaller ones like you pictured and it was not enough help. I bought the D/A and have it set up for the Soft Buff 2.0 pads in the standard size. I later received the smaller Griot's Garage unit and have it set up for 3"/4" size pads. I never expected to do any other vehicles than those owned by immediate family, but have done some for pay for neighbors, co-workers, etc from time to time. ALSO - at least consider putting on the wax with the machine. You will save yourself time and energy with utilizing the right tool for the job.

[Spidey]

Re: budget RA polisher

I own 1 car

I expect to wax 3 times a year and claybar twice a year, and do correctiosn with UC as needed

I would expect the tool to last about 2-3 years given the amount I plan to use it

I may or may not do others cars

My cars paint is only a couple years old..

[mattya802]

Re: budget RA polisher

Using something like UC or any other polish will work much better/easier with a DA then by hand. You can get one for $125, which compared to the 30-40$ on some wax spreader from Walmart isn't bad at all considering the difference in results you'll see.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: budget RA polisher

Check CraigsList and eBay for used Porter Cables and other DA's. I once bought a (used only twice) Porter Cable 7336 for $60.

[agp56]

Re: budget RA polisher

If you are not comfortable with the money that a new DA runs, check CraigsList, local pawn shops, and ebay for one. The times you will use UC for correction purposes the DA will make your work go faster.

[Blueline]

Re: budget RA polisher

is there a point getting somethign economical just for applying cleaners, polishes and UC, like this http://www.shoptoit.ca/brand-double-...6-in/11082961/

I do not want to invest in something expensive as I do not plan on doing any serious detailing such as using higher abrasive compounds and polishers such as in the megs mirror glaze/commercial line stuff..

All I want is something that would give me a break from doing it all by hand. If something like this would damage my paint, I would rather do it by hand, but sometimes it is just too tiring.. Again, I am only going to use it for step 1 cleaner, step 2 polish, and or UC.

Lastly, I will always wax and remove products by hand.. it is only for application of the pre wax products.

I have polisher very similar to the one you link to. It is great for applying wax, and then taking it off by hand. It is powerful enough and certainly saves the elbow joint. Make sure it is a random orbital and you will not damage your paint.
If your car is not to bad, the little orbital will do you just fine.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: budget RA polisher

I would save up for the d/a. In the long run it is a better machine. Right know you may not need pint correction. However you state you want to use it with uc. Well most wax spreaders do not have enough power to do paint correction. So your defeating the purpose of getting a less expensive machine. Get a good machine and you will be happier in the long run.

[Spidey]

Re: budget RA polisher

I would save up for the d/a. In the long run it is a better machine. Right know you may not need pint correction. However you state you want to use it with uc. Well most wax spreaders do not have enough power to do paint correction. So your defeating the purpose of getting a less expensive machine. Get a good machine and you will be happier in the long run.

so getting a budget polisher would be even worse than doing it by hand? because i just want something that is similar to doing it by hand but without the effort.

[Blueline]

Re: budget RA polisher

so getting a budget polisher would be even worse than doing it by hand?

Not in my opinion. MY black car is nearly four years old and I have always used a six inch $39.00 random orbital polisher to apply ColorX. ColorX is a very mild cleaner wax, and the polisher just gives it a little extra umph while saving my elbows. I remove the wax by hand and follow up with M16 by hand..
My car has no swirls.

With all due respect to everyone else in this thread, unless you are a perfectionist, or have some deep paint problems you need fixed, or doing many cars as in a business, and have deep pockets, you don't NEED a DA.

[Spidey]

Re: budget RA polisher

Not in my opinion. MY black car is nearly four years old and I have always used a six inch $39.00 random orbital polisher to apply ColorX. ColorX is a very mild cleaner wax, and the polisher just gives it a little extra umph while saving my elbows. I remove the wax by hand and follow up with M16 by hand..
My car has no swirls.

With all due respect to everyone else in this thread, unless you are a perfectionist, or have some deep paint problems you need fixed, or doing many cars as in a business, and have deep pockets, you don't NEED a DA.

that is what i assumed. all i wanted was something that i could apply UC or a paint cleaner with, without doing it by hand. The car I have and will have in the future, will always be my daily driver, so some minor swirls and defects are inevitable. For me, I am going to do my best to keep my daily driver looking good.. not pERFECT. like i said, clay 2ice a year.. and wax 3-4 times a year.. while washing every week

[Michael Stoops]

Re: budget RA polisher

that is what i assumed. all i wanted was something that i could apply UC or a paint cleaner with, without doing it by hand. The car I have and will have in the future, will always be my daily driver, so some minor swirls and defects are inevitable. For me, I am going to do my best to keep my daily driver looking good.. not pERFECT. like i said, clay 2ice a year.. and wax 3-4 times a year.. while washing every week

An inexpensive tool like the one being discussed are perfectly fine for applying wax on a regular basis and may even help you lay down a thinner and more uniform coat then doing so by hand.

But if you want it for using Ultimate Compound or similar paint cleaners then it is likely a waste of money as they simply do not have the power to effectively work that type of product against the paint. Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and other similar paint cleaners only do their thing when being worked against the paint with some level of aggression. They are not simple wipe on, wipe off products. This type of tool just lacks the power to make effective use of a paint cleaner.

The suggestions for picking up a used PC on ebay, Craigslist, etc is very good advice. For just a few dollars more you'll get a much more effective tool when it comes time to use UC or similar.