Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

[Graeme]

I would really appreciate some advice please.

I am a complete newbie to these and I am not the handy man type so I don't have a clue.
I would like to get better results when polishing my car and I have a couple of small etchings I have tried to get out by hand to no avail. We are unable to get the G100 here so I will have to buy a buffer locally.

what do I need to look for when buying one? What are the pros and cons?

Also what type of pads etc etc do I need?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Graeme

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Western Australia

Lets hope some of our International members with knowledge and experience in this area chime in....

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Hi Graeme, Welcome. Merry Christmas to all. We mostly use the Bosch GEX 270AE Random Orbital Sander (7500 - 12000 OPM) variable speed, as we also can't get the G-100 here in M'sia. But only use speed 1 for Waxing & speed 2 for Polishing. There's also a Dewalt DW443. A Ryobi RSE-1250. You can go and have a look at ur local store & compare which suits ur need.

The Bosch unit is quite good actually. Its not very loud & the vibration is low. Its quite light too only 1.4 kg. It comes with a 125mm velcro pad & quite ok with Megs Pads. The quality is very good & smooth. Here's a link to a good thread by Zeytee & Vincent & Fishbonezken:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ghlight=zeytee
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ghlight=zeytee

Hope u don't mind Zeytee & Vincent & Fishbonezken...? I have bought 2 other cheaper buffer & sander machine. And waste quite a lot of money. But after read their thread I am also convinced & when to get the Bosch unit. I am satisfied with the machine now.

[gorin002]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

oooh that i was looking for
i bet pricses in the U.S are cheaper.wel maby there again a special price

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Yup the prices are cheaper in US. But I'm not sure bout West Australia...? Over here is quite expensive....

[Graeme]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Bernard, thank you for the info .
I will check out the Bosch and see what price it is.

What other things will i need to get started?

Thanks again

Graeme

[gorin002]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

and its not worth to ship over the U.S
mine professional polish machine as we call it came with a special price
so maby i see this bufer machine someday with a special price to

[Graeme]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

and its not worth to ship over the U.S

As I understand it I can't use it here anyway, even if it was worth shipping it here as our power is 240 volt not 110.
I thought I maybe able to just use a power adapter but I don't think so.

Graeme

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Hi u guys talking bout the Bosch machine or G-100. As Bosch one mine is 240v & G-100 is 110v. I think the Bosch has 2 voltage specs. You need to test out the machine.

U'll need Megs W8006 Polishing Pad & W9006 Finishing Pad. What do u intend to do? Removing Swirls or just normal waxing? What Megs products are u gonna use with the Random Orbital? Take it easy. TQ

[Graeme]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Hi u guys talking bout the Bosch machine or G-100. As Bosch one mine is 240v & G-100 is 110v. I think the Bosch has 2 voltage specs. You need to test out the machine.

U'll need Megs W8006 Polishing Pad & W9006 Finishing Pad. What do u intend to do? Removing Swirls or just normal waxing? What Megs products are u gonna use with the Random Orbital? Take it easy. TQ

I would be wanting to use it for light swirls, waxing and polishing.
As for what products I'm not sure as they would be different for an orbital wouldn't they?

I currently have...

DC Paint Cleaner
DC Polish
NXT Wax
GC Wax
ScratchX


Graeme

[Graeme]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Well it seems we can't get the Bosch GEX 270AE.
We can get this one Bosch Random Orbit Sander PEX 400 AE. Here is some info on it...
Technical data
Sanding plate diameter: 125 mm
Orbital stroke rate: 9.000 – 26.000 rpm
Eccentricity: 2,50 mm
Rated power input: 400 W
Weight: 1,9 kg


I would not have a clue if this is good or bad?


Graeme

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Hi there. Well it goes something like:

DC1, DC2 - use W8006 Polishing pads.
GC, Nxt - use W9006 Finishing pads.
ScratchX - not recommanded with a RO as it can gum up & difficult to remove but there is a new formula version that could be use with a RO/DA.

If u get the Bosch, u can set speed 2 for DC1 & DC2. Then set speed 1 for applying waxes. Of course its not recommanded to use two or more waxes, polish, cleaner on the same pad. Can u get the Dewalt DW443 or Ryobi RSE 1250? The PEX 400AE is a bit too powerful..... Even the Gex 270AE, we wish it would be a bit slower.

U might want to consider getting the Clay bar. Then u might use the steps:

1. Wash
2. Clay - then scratchX any light scratches.
3. DC1
4. DC2
5. Wax of ur choice.

Huh one more thing, u can go to youtube.com and search for porter cable. U can watch a sample vid on how to remove swirls with the Porter Cable.

[Graeme]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Thank you very much Bernard for taking the time to explain these things to me Your info is very informative.

Thanks Again

Graeme

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

U find a Sander at the range of maybe 4000 - above (rpm) Variable speed.
As actually u'll need like maybe 3K to 4K (RPM) for waxing & 5K onwards for polishing & remove defects.

Thats why I use speed 1 on my bosch which is 7500 rpm. And speed 2 is bout 8400 rpm. The RO is actually a gentle machine but the other thing u need the consider is the clear coat of ur car. Is it soft or hard too. The PEX 400AE is in higher RPM so I'm not quite sure. Wait let me check the threads as I read it some where in MOL tht some one has it. I'll get back to u shortly.... TQ.

[bernard78]

Re: Buying a Orbital Buffer what do I look out for and what do I need?

Hi Graeme, the Bosch PEX 400AE is ok. Only its heavier a bit & more power 400w input / 215w output. The speed is No load speed 4500 - 13000. No load oscillations rate 9000 - 26000. So its quite ok.

Mine is No load speed 7500 - 12000. No load oscillations rate is 15000 - 24000. Eccentricity 4.0mm. So actually ur Bosch PEX 400AE is ok. Can be use. Hehehe. But the Gex 270AE design is more compact. Maybe u can look around elsewhere if they got it.