Are orbital buffers as good as the rotary buffers? I'd hate to spend to much on a rotary when I could be spending the money on Chrome and Noise.

 

Difference...

The high-speed Rotary buffer's simple circular motion, combined with continuous high revolutions per minute (RPMs), causes friction at the point of contact with the paint surface, thus creating heat, which slightly softens the paint. This heating action allows for correction of extensive paint damage such as heavy oxidation and deep scratching; it also is one of the reasons why high-speed rotary buffers can cause paint damage due to improper use.

The wheel of a random-orbital buffer, on the other hand, operates with two separate motions: a slow circular motion combined with an orbital motion. That is, as the wheel spins, it also orbits slightly off-center around a central point (sort of like the Earth spins as it revolves around the sun). This action essentially imitates hand motion, making the random-orbit buffer virtually no more dangerous to use than your hands, yet much faster with increased consistency of results.

There are many differences also in the usage and results of high-speed rotary versus random-orbital buffers, the primary difference is that, a high-speed rotary machine, once mastered, will produce absolutely the best results.

 

Thanks Whodat?
I could probably get by with the orbital. I have a couple deep scratches that I am going to try to touch up and buff out. They are on the lower back of the front fender where they are not noticeable to anyone but me. They are driving me nuts.

 

How deep are the scratches...deep enough to catch your finger nail? Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and touch them up with paint. Remember...to eliminate you must lower the surrounding areas to the scratch level..so the depth makes a lot of difference.

 

Yes it's deep. I aready have the touchup paint, base and top coat.

 

Doing paint repair yourself........dont try to fill in whole area at once. May be easier to use a toothpick to apply and build up layers.
Make sure to get a paint excess remover..something like Lanka.

 

Can you recommend a good affordiable orbital polisher? I saw the one that Meguiers has and it's pretty pricey.


Thanks,
John

 

Check Sears for the 6" orbital, perfect size for doing bikes.

 

The Meguairs is the same as Porter Cables 7424 (meguiars higher price comes with lifetime warranty). Some of the Lowes are selling the PC7336 for 99.00. Around the 125.00 mark is where you will find most RO/DA's.