Buffer / buffing recomendations?

Author Topic: Buffer / buffing recomendations?  (Read 987 times)

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« on: June 14, 2008 - 11:16:35 AM »
Ok first let me say I'm NO bodyman, just a lowly parts dealer. Ok?  :dunno: Now seeing that NIKKI gets driven as much as weather allows (not that  much yet this year). I getting allot of lite scrats and what not in the clearcoat. Trying a small amount of polishing compound (by hand) made it worse IMO, luckily it was only a small area. So I'm thinkin' she needs a buff and polish. But before I do something STUPID and maybe burn holes in the paint, I thought I ask some help?  :clueless: I don't need a show car shine, just something that looks better. Can anyone kinda walk me through this? Thanks in adavance  :grinyes:


Pardons , I'm sure this type of thing has been posted before.  :bigsmile:
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Offline rusty dodge

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2008 - 01:42:28 PM »
I use 2 types. 1st one i bought was an orbital buffer polisher kit from www.griotsgarage.com. Easy and safe to use for a 1st time user. Works kind of slow though if you have deep scratches.

2nd one i got was a 7" rotory polisher from harbor freight. Cheap chinese unit, but works good. Also got the norton liquid ice polish kit from eastwood. Polisher has a 7" velco pad, and 5/8 spindle if you want to change it. You can also get the sponge or wool pads and compound from a body shop supply house. Some NAPA stores also carry that stuff.

I'm sure someone can recommend a good 3M polish and a sponge pad that will work good with the rotory.

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2008 - 01:50:02 PM »
Thanks rusty, we have a harbor frieght close to here. For what i'm doing I sure dont need a big $ unit. I could sure use the help on type of pad, techique, compounds ect.  :2thumbs:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
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Offline rusty dodge

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2008 - 02:32:03 PM »
The liquid ice kit is nice because it has the pads and compund to work together. Also, you use the same compound, just change the pad type to go from scratch removal to final  swirl removal. No cross contamination possible because all use the same compund.

Before you go to harbor freight, check thier web site, and print out the price of it (ITEM 92623-8VGA, $39.99). Some times the online price is less.

Offline rusty dodge

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2008 - 02:46:28 PM »
Wash the car, and then wash it again using a clay bar. Clay bar (miguires makes one) is important because it gets off the road grime. You dont want that junk in the polishing pad, making more scratches. I start polishing with the wool pad #1 from the kit and use the varible speed and go slow with light pressure. Let the compound do the work. Don't over apply the compound, splashes around to much if you do. This removes all the surface scratches and for my daily driver civic I stop there. Just hand wax it, dont bother with the final pads for that car. Looks great anyway.

For the chally, I continue with the other pads, and the finish is like glass.
Note: Both of my cars are 2 stage (color then clear coat).

I recommend you do an older car 1st to get used to it. You will be very happy with the results.

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2008 - 02:12:32 AM »
Older car first.. NIKKI is the oldest car I own.  :roflsmiley: Next to my dart parts car. Thanks for the tips. I'm allot better at takin' them apart!  :thumbsup:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
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Offline torredcuda

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2008 - 07:51:57 AM »
Buffing takes some practice so try it on one of your junkers first,you don`t want to burn the paint!I use 3M microfinishing compound on a wool pad for heavy buffing and then wash the car,then go to a foam pad with either 3M Finesse It or Megiurs #7 then wash and wax.Do an area about 2' square and keep the buffer moving back and forth,don`t biuld up too much heat in one area.Try and stay away from edges and always keep the buffer spinning off the edge not into it,tape off the edges and mouldings and anything else if you are worried about catching them with the pad.If you do try it on a junker see what it takes to burn the paint /edge so you will know the limits.
Jeff
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Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2008 - 09:16:57 AM »
I picked up a power ball for paint at the HR power tour looks like it should work without the worry of burning the paint.  :dunno: I have not used it yet I guess it will be a slow process it uses a cordless drill. :2cents:

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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Buffer / buffing recomendations?
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2008 - 03:17:54 PM »
torred thanks for the specifics!! And the excellent idea of doin' a junker first... gee where will I find one of those?  :smilielol:   

dodgeboys, I was looki' at those at their trailer in Madison. I was told by a buddy to watch the speed (heat) so a cordless for an inexperieced guy is probobly a good idea till I get the hang of it.  :grinyes:

I gotta say  THANKS  I always get some answers, to my  :screwy: questions!
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
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