Which buffer/polisher should I buy?

[YNOT]

Okay, can someone please advise me on which of these I should buy. My father currently has this DeWalt Buffer/Polisher and we use it for buffing out fresh paintjobs after wet-sanding. It works great and seems to be perfect for what we do.



I've been wanting to buy one for myself to use not only for buffing on new paintjobs, but also for using with polishers/swirl removers for my personal cars. Is the DeWalt a good choice or should I go with a Porter Cable such as this...



Can someone explain to me the differences in the two and which one I should get? I know a lot of people talk of the PC but is it better than the DeWalt?

Please help...thanks!!

[Stephan]

Well ...for one you are comparing Apples to Oranges.

The Dewalt is a rotary and the PC is a Dual Action.

The difference is in their movement. The dual action tends to oscillate in an eccentric circular motion. This type of motion is much safer to the paint because it's virtually impossible to apply too much concentrated pressure in one place at one time.

The Rotary buffer is a direct drive machine, it can do a lot of work very quickly. By work, I mean, the rotary buffer will remove paint if your not careful and go at a unsafe speed.

However you said you use the dewalt now, if your good at it then keep using it. The 7424 is nice because at least for me I can hold it with one hand, and not feel exhausted when I am done doing a car. But for really tough jobs the rotary makes quick work of it.

[budman3]

Originally Posted by Stephan

Well ...for one you are comparing Apples to Oranges.

The Dewalt is a rotary and the PC is a Dual Action.

The difference is in their movement. The dual action tends to oscillate in an eccentric circular motion. This type of motion is much safer to the paint because it's virtually impossible to apply too much concentrated pressure in one place at one time.

The Rotary buffer is a direct drive machine, it can do a lot of work very quickly. By work, I mean, the rotary buffer will remove paint if your not careful and go at a unsafe speed.

However you said you use the dewalt now, if your good at it then keep using it. The 7424 is nice because at least for me I can hold it with one hand, and not feel exhausted when I am done doing a car. But for really tough jobs the rotary makes quick work of it.

That sums it up pretty well now doesn't it? I use my rotary for heavy cutting and I use the PC whenever I don't want to use the rotary. They both do the same job (IMO) but the rotary gets the cutting done faster.

ARe you planning on buying another Dewalt or using the one you have? Since you are familiar with it you shouldn't have a problem with swirl removal, hazing, holograms, etc. but you may want to consider a PC for final polishing and LSP applications. I don't think I could choose just one now that I have both.

[TrueDetailer]

Buy the pc.

[LikeaRock]

If you're more than proficient with your rotary skills I'd say buy the DeWalt 849 you pictured. I used to use my rotary for cutting/polishing and my PC for finish work but I didn't like the added time the PC took, and my intentions were to learn how to use a rotary so I stuck with it and now it's all I use.
If you're considering a poliser for your personal cars though, the PC would be a good pick too

[JaredPointer]

Why not split the difference between the two and get a Cyclo.

[Dans Detailing]

which should you buy? If you ask that question I woudl go with the PC since your chances of paint damage are less.

[Dans Detailing]

IN fact I have been thinking of getting a PC to compliment my high speed Makita. This way I can use the PC on high end dark colored vehilces that are in fairly good shape.

[Sparkie]

Porter Cable, some people call it PC, 7424, or DA. It's the best thing since white bread! LOL, Anyway The term random orbit defines the action of the tool’s head. Unlike a rotary buffer, that spins at variable speed on a stationary spindle, a random orbit machine operates by spinning the head free-spinning on a center spindle and running this spindle around an eccentric offset. It's jiggling action! Mimics circular hand polishing, able to make 2,500 to 6,000 tight hand circles in a single minute.

[Tex Star Detail]

I would go with a PC to begin with. Can't go wrong with it.

[Jen@autogeek]

Originally Posted by TexasTB

I would go with a PC to begin with. Can't go wrong with it.

I agree. PC is great. Check out this video link to see what the PC can do.

http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/video/