Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

[Agent 99]

So I bought the Harbor Freight generic polisher today. It does from 200-3300rpms. The reason I wanted it was the 200 rpm part - mostly so I can use it to apply wax faster. I have no itention of doing major paint repairs or anything.

The wax I bought is a paste. Whats the best way to apply it and ensure I dont harm the paint in any way?

Any other tips?

[ColonelCash]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

Most waxes are not suited for application by a rotary buffer. M21 2.0 is designed to allow it, but I think that is the only one in the Megs line (could be wrong). You'd probably be better off picking up a cheap DA off eBay or MOL, the older versions work great and you can use just about any wax with them.

[Agent 99]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

Most waxes are not suited for application by a rotary buffer. M21 2.0 is designed to allow it, but I think that is the only one in the Megs line (could be wrong). You'd probably be better off picking up a cheap DA off eBay or MOL, the older versions work great and you can use just about any wax with them.

Right but at 200rpm's, I'd imagine almost any wax could be used. I might just have to experiment.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

M06 Cleaner Wax can also be used by rotary although it is not recommended by Meguiars.

[Zuke]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

I agree with everyone here, if your planning on only using it for wax a DA or even a Orbital would work best for your needs.

[Agent 99]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

I agree with everyone here, if your planning on only using it for wax a DA or even a Orbital would work best for your needs.

But the orbital spins at 2500rpm+. I was thinking ~200rpms would be nice and safe to apply some waxes, both Megs and otherwise.

[Mary S]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

So I bought the Harbor Freight generic polisher today. It does from 200-3300rpms. The reason I wanted it was the 200 rpm part - mostly so I can use it to apply wax faster. I have no itention of doing major paint repairs or anything.

The wax I bought is a paste. Whats the best way to apply it and ensure I dont harm the paint in any way?

Any other tips?

Just curious, where did you get the numbers 200-3300? Because I read somewhere someone had asked Harbor Freight and they were told it is about 600 to (I think about) 2800. In any event, I also have that buffer.

Personally, I would avoid using any kind of automatic tool to apply wax, orbital, DA, or rotary. I may change my position on that after I get really tired of hand waxing, but it seems if you hand wax, you have the least chance of inflicting any damage from the machine, because your hand does "fewer repetitions" but gets the job done.

Once I get the paint corrected, I want to preserve it as long as possible.

[InfiniteDetail]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

you always run the risk of hologramming with the rotary, even with soft pads and slow speeds

[Agent 99]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

200-3300 was written on the side of the box and on the buffer itself.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

If it truly is 200rpm then you should be just fine as that speed is too low to cause any shear issues with a wax, or even generate much heat at all. Just make sure to stick with a dedicated finishing pad and keep the pad flat on the paint. Getting paste wax onto the pad is the tricky part, but a small dull knife, spatula or similar will do the trick. Just make sure you use a very small amount - most people tend to waaay overuse wax this way, so be careful. A little goes a very long way.

Oh, and an orbital's speed is measure in OPM (oscillations per minute), not RPM (revolutions per minute) as that is how the head of the tool actually moves. It is quite a difference in the action of the tool and what it ultimately means for paint correction, product application, etc.

Marcki, once you start applying wax via D/A with a soft finishing pad, you'll never go back to hand application again! It's just so quick and easy to get a very thin, uniform application with a D/A.

[Agent 99]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

If it truly is 200rpm then you should be just fine as that speed is too low to cause any shear issues with a wax, or even generate much heat at all. Just make sure to stick with a dedicated finishing pad and keep the pad flat on the paint. Getting paste wax onto the pad is the tricky part, but a small dull knife, spatula or similar will do the trick. Just make sure you use a very small amount - most people tend to waaay overuse wax this way, so be careful. A little goes a very long way.

Oh, and an orbital's speed is measure in OPM (oscillations per minute), not RPM (revolutions per minute) as that is how the head of the tool actually moves. It is quite a difference in the action of the tool and what it ultimately means for paint correction, product application, etc.

Marcki, once you start applying wax via D/A with a soft finishing pad, you'll never go back to hand application again! It's just so quick and easy to get a very thin, uniform application with a D/A.

Thank you, Mr.Stoops! It seems you understand the time (and arm) saving issue. It really does seem to be 200 Rpm as it does move quite slow at the lowest setting. Maybe I'll mark part of the disc with a bright color and attempt count for myself.

One last question. It seems to use a Velcro backing. Which pads do I need to get to apply paste wax at slow speeds? Will it just stuck on the Velcro? And what material? Part numbers would be wonderful but I'll settle for a nod in the right direction.

Thanks again

[Mary S]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

200-3300 was written on the side of the box and on the buffer itself.

Okay, we have a different model.

[Mary S]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

Marcki, once you start applying wax via D/A with a soft finishing pad, you'll never go back to hand application again! It's just so quick and easy to get a very thin, uniform application with a D/A.

We'll see! Hand application and removal is pretty darn easy when the vehicle has just been clayed. Now, seeing the newly applied wax on a white car, that's something else. Maybe I will put Koolaid in it

[Agent 99]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

Here it is. $35!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92623

[Fly Bye]

Re: Bought my first buffer, a generic. Have Q's..

But the orbital spins at 2500rpm+.

Are you sure about that?