Nubie need a DA for use 4 times a year

[gto_monster]

I have 2 vehicles that sit under a large oak tree. I noticed that both of them have this caked on black ugly growth (hard and not soft and squishy). I have been using M205 and M210 on the first car and took all day to finish just the hood. I need to buy a DA to make this job easier. I have some D300 coming in the mail from Meguiars in a few days.

I am a nubie and will only use this machine maybe 4 times a year so I do not need anything professional but not something that will fall apart tomorrow. I hear folks throw around brand names as Porter Cable and Meguiars MT300 and all of the cheapo's on Amazon. What would be a good solution for a safe machine for someone that has not used one yet?

2012 Mini Cooper - mung plus hair line scratched only
2011 Toyota Tacoma - real back black mung and dull paint but no scratches.

My previous young life: 68 GTO (bought new - my love), 78 Z-28, 68 Camaro rally Sport.

[Buddy]

I know Megs has their's like you mentioned. Maxshine also has decent ones for the price. Griot's Garage gets alot of love for their's as a well, it costs nice and has a great warranty.

[gto_monster]

Thanks Buddy. In searching for a good DA I have found some really nice ones on the internet like:
Adams 9mm for 160
Griots for 180
SPTA for 110
Maxshine for 155 or 240
Rupes for way crazy money for a beginner.

I was hoping for something less than $100 before I started looking, but it looks like to get something that will not fall apart in less than 6 months I might have to pay more than 100. In over 60 years of waxing my cars by hand I have come to a project that I can't tackle by just rubbing it off. This dirt and tree grim is so caked on and hard as a rock to get off. That is why I am leaning to a machine to help me out.

I may have to set my budget more towards the $150 mark even though my wife will kill me for a "fun toy" I have no idea have to use yet. My decisions are getting harder by the hour.

[Franco76]

Might I suggest Meguiars DA Power System. I was looking for a da polisher a few years ago and found it on meguiars YouTube channel. I only polish when needed. For a weekend warrior, it works just fine for me. You can buy it on Amazon for $45 dollars. Throw in a pack of Meguiars 4 inch compound pads and 4 inch polishing pads and you’ll be in business. Attach to your corded drill. Easy.

[Franco76]

I too am a “senior citizen “. I also had a 1967 GTO that my wife and I dated in back in the seventies….. listening to Boston and Bob Seger on the 8 track…..

[gto_monster]

Hi Franco76, long story on my first car. Went to the dealers in 68 and fell in love with this 1968 Camaro Rally Sport in yellow. My parents (co-signing) said it was too racy and I would get into trouble. What they did not know was the GTO (looked safe) they picked out was a beast. Got into so much trouble and speeding tickets.

Many years later I finally got my 68 Camaro (after Vietnam garbage). Then I purchased a 1978 Z-28 Camaro and immediately had my friends racing team dismantle the car and upgrade it to attain 500 hp. That was the best performance car I ever had and got better gas millage than when it was new.

Fast forward to today - I drive a Mini Cooper, with a 4 cylinder Tacoma. I am happy although miss the power of my Z-28 sometimes.

[gto_monster]

I have narrowed down my search to 2 buffers.

Chemical Guys BUF_209X TORQX - 8mm $168 Amazon (do not trust them too much) or from CG for $240.
This comes with 12 extra items like 5 pads,

Griot's Garage G9 Random Orbital Polisher - $180 Amazon or from Griot's for $170.

The Chemical Guys looks tempting but for around the same price (without the extra pads) they are about equal. What would be the one for a beginner and easy to handle.

Thanks.

[Buddy]

Griots. Better machine, and the warranty with them is amazing I have heard, like top level customer service. But also like Franco said, the Megs DA system will work as well. Attach it to a drill and go at it. A bit ackward compared to a machine like the Griots, but also way cheaper route. Both will do a job that by hand work would never be able to come close to, ever.

[gto_monster]

I am adding one more buffer to my list of possible machines.

Chemical Guys - TORQX
Griot's Garage - G9
Meguiars - DT300

This is now a pretty hard choice. They all sound very capable. I will take a look at the weight and balance of them since I am not a very big person and need to get one that is easy to maneuver.

[gto_monster]

I have now permission to buy the buffer. I made up my mind on getting the Meguiar's MT300. Does anyone know what options or extras I need to start a project with this da. Please recommend pads and whatever else I need. I already own the Meguiar's D300 cutting compound, Meguiar's 205, Meguiar's 210 and Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba wax.

If any of these are not correct for my application then lead me in the right direct.

I am needing to get rid of caked on dark tree mung (not sap). Claying does not make a dent. I tried using the D300 by hand and it gets some of the black stuff off, but only about 40%.