Best polisher for the money?

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gmcdougal
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My chicago polisher fried the other day and i am in need of a good quality polisher that will not break the bank. Ive narrowed it down to these. Which one do you think is best?Also, im open to suggestions of others in the same price range. thanks

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/pc-7424.html

http://www.northerntool.com/we...92531

http://www.northerntool.com/we...86776


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95240SE
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I have the 7424 and like it alot. They came out with an upgraded version that should be even better. Check it out here. http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html

240sx_dad
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meguiars wax by a long shot. check wal mart

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AZhitman
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Polisher, not polish.

The Porter Cable is the only one worth owning. It's bulletproof, and you'll pass it down to your kids.

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dusred
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AZhitman wrote:Polisher, not polish.

The Porter Cable is the only one worth owning. It's bulletproof, and you'll pass it down to your kids.
100% true. The PorterCable moves in all directions thus minimizing the risk of damaging the paint. Whenever I see a detail center out there with a DeWalt 5000 RPM buffer going over cars I want to pull over and kick their asses.

Anyway, PotrerCable FTW!

mcsniper703
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I am wondering what kind of product I need to do polishing and sealant by hand manually? I dont have buffering machine. I also wondering what kind of clay bar is recommend because I use Meguiar gray clay is not aggressive. My car is black Altima thanks.

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Thorshammer
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The Northern tool Industrial buffer is a better choice.11 amps, Variable speed, industrial build, by comparison the porter cable is a toy.Autopia is a biased site focused on selling their brand mechandise.You are not going to get any real choices or options from there.

If a person introduced a better product or machine, they would be banned. They act as if there is nothing better than their products, on the market.

But if you focus on the power ratings you will see a big difference

At 4 amps the porter cable is about 1/3 the power of the Northern tool buffer.

Two years warranty on the Northern tool buffer12 months on the porter cable

1000 to 3000 rpm on the Nortrhern bufferMuch cooler safer speeds

2500 to 6000 with the porter cable will generate unwanted heat and additional friction.

With a side by side comparison, the porter cable is a joke.

I would personally evaluate anything I read on autopia.

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AZhitman
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I hope you don't mean this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/sh...99443

Ask any detailing pro - The Porter Cable 7424XP is the tool of choice.

http://www.tylertool.com/7424x...extag

There's a REASON it's almost 4x as expensive as the NT.

Disregard Autopia - Search the web for yourself and read the reviews.

The Northern Tool model is a cheap knockoff, same as the ones you can get at Harbor Freight.

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Infinitiguy19
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What about a good polisher for the people who don't want to spend a million dollars?

jroo
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Dont waste your money on anything other than the Porter Cable. Its the best and easiest to use especially if you are new at it. That nother tool looks like a good way to burn paint especially if you are a new. There are a couple of other goods ones if you want to spend more cash like a Flex unit. Now matter what you look at, you want a random orbital so you dont hurt your car. Griots make a version but my understanding is it is a version of the porter cable. You can find the old version of the porter cable for 100 bucks and the new xp model for a few more. Now matter what, you are looking at the 100 dollar mark before pads and supplies.

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AZhitman
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^ This.

Keep an eye on Craigslist and ebay. A used PC unit is still a good buy.

kaChris803
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I've been a concourse detailer for 15 years, have tried everything from the pc and griots orbital to dewalt, makita, flex and bosch buffers. I personally hate porter cable. They feel cheap and I feel don't perform. If you're new to buffing/polishing try the flex. Autogeek sells them starting at around $140, and performs like the bests! I use a bosch personally, and give nothing but the best results. There are tons of sites out there that offer information on different pads and compounds to give you the results you're looking for. I also recommend cyclo polishers....if you have the money.

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AZhitman
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I had someone cut/buff the paint on my droptop a few years back, and he had a Bosch polisher... I got to play with it, and it's a damn nice polisher. I couldn't justify the cost, but definitely a nice piece.

kaChris803
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Oh yeah, very expensive! It took many years of practice and cheap details to be able to have the honor of being able to purchase one! It really becomes part of you when buffing....its a work of art!

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AZhitman
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Post some pics, so the rest of these guys can see "your tool", hahaha!

OwnerCS
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Whatever you decide your budget can handle --

In 1975 I received a new Black Hawk (sold then by NAPA) 1800 RPM rotary buffer as a gift that cost $125 -- which is about like $500 in today's money. I used it to make money detailing cars while I was in college. I've still got it and it runs great. I only use it to correct some serious damage and as a grinder.

Recently I bought a Porter Cable 7424. I see the new model has some improvements for handling over the model I purchased.

If you buy a good one, it might last a very long time.

jroo
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porter cable should be the only thing you are looking at. If you want to save yourself a few bucks look used as some are upgrading to the new model. Anyone telling you to look at a polisher/grinder or any other high speed tool should include a number to a body shop to fix your mistake and burnt paint. There is a reason that every one from pros to the guy in his garage says porter cable, it works and it is hard to screw up if you pay attention.

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UpStar
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Look at the Flex 3401. I have both the flex XC 3401 and the PC 7424. The flex will allow you to get the job done faster, but the PC is best if you are just starting out. After using the PC for one summer I soon graduated to the Flex 3401 and wished I had done so from the beginning, but I still use both depending on which car I'm doing. I use the Flex on our Benzs car & H2 and the PC on my M

Flex 3401:
http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html
Image

Very important. Dont forget these:
http://www.autogeek.net/lakecountry.html Image

One Crazy Max
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if you are new to the detailing world the Dewalt DW849 is not for you. it requires alot of skill and experience handling it, and also the right pads and compounds. i have one, and i know how to use it and what to use with it, and i have no problems using it.

I recommend the DW849, only if you know what you are doing.

Superslow911
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Whats up folk? Im new to the forum but I would have to say the dewalt or makita variable speed imho is the best. Plus you can get the makita with a starter detailing kit and bag for $250. And an orbital buffer is less likely to create swirls but a rotary or drum buffer will give better results.

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darylzero
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What about the Meguiars Dual Action 6 Inch Polisher G110v2? Anyone use that? How is Meguiears compared to the Porter?

whoareu
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i can not comment on anything other than the p/c 7424 as thats what i have. i bought mine about 2004 and have had zero issues aside from needing new pads.

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95maxrider
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I'm glad to see I'm not the only person here who has enjoyed the Flex 3401! I think it's great! I had the "Ultimate Detailing Machine" before, and boy is the Flex a HUGE upgrade. It's powerful enough to really do some restoration, but safe enough that you don't have to worry about burning through your clear coat or leaving halos all over the place. With some Menzera, it did this pretty quickly.

Before:
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After:
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ntwrkguy1
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I'll throw in my .02 on this.

I've been a weekend detailer for over 20 years now, and I've used a Porter-Cable 7424 for the last 13 years. It's likely the best money I will EVER spend in my life, as it cost me a grand total of $89 shipped back in the day, and I've used it on likely 1,000 cars since then. When it was new on the market, the 7424 was truly a game-changer. If you are familiar with any of the Porter-Cable line, you know they make some great tools.

Having said that, last year, I bought a Flex XC3401 polisher. It was A LOT more money than the 7424, but it delivers results faster than the 7424 would struggle to accomplish. If you're serious about your detailing game -- even if it is only on your own personal cars -- it's well worth the investment. You won't regret it.

Michael370Z
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Look for the brand Shinemate EX605 it is a dual action polisher that's budget friendly. It's safe for beginners and can be used professionally. I've had mine for about 3 years and only had to replace the carbon inside after using it for about 90 cars.

jethbon
Posts: 40
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I am happy with my Griot's Garage Polisher because it is easy to use.

Miguel Reid
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Oh wow, you guys spend hundred of bucks for a polishing tool.


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