Technical buffer/polisher preferences - 5 or 10 inch ?

I'm going to (attempt) to polish a car with dull hazy 28 year old paint.

Is there an advantage to a 10" over a 5" for a complete rookie ?

First, do no harm !!

thanks,

Dan T

 

10, for the surface area covered. you could do it with a 3. but itll go a lot faster with 10!

 

If you're a complete novice to car polishing you might consider a polisher like this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAFegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1N_7L89lIGYPXrxal2GJQG

The dual action makes it slower but safer with less chance of burning through your paint.

 

I have to do mine a couple of times a year or it looks like a piece of chalk (70's paint). I use a Porter Cable Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch and 7" foam pads (Meguiars, but you can use any). I have 3 pads, cutting, polishing and waxing (finish) and use the corresponding products. I use Meguiars Ultimate products but started using Nu Finish wax (because it's cheaper) since I have to do it often. I would recommend using the Meguiars compound and polish though. If it's single stage paint (no clear coat) I would HIGHLY recommend using Meguiars #7 before the wax if the paint is in good shape.

It's hard to burn the paint the orbital polisher and foam pads. If you use the old grinder/polisher with a wool pad you need to know what your doing as you can burn through the paint. I have both and use the old polisher after I color sand.

 

I might be behind but most buffers are 7in. or at least they used to be. I would spend the money and buy a good one. I have always used Makitas they have a nice switch that works well for buffing. The ones I have were over $200 20 years ago and they are still running. I have had to replace the cords,brushes and the switches in one of them. But they have buffed hundreds of cars.

 

The 6" da polisher from Harbor Freight gets good reviews.