Car polisher questions

[s_morrison57]

I've been reading up on polishers and supplies for them and its really mind warping with the amount of stuff out there. I've decided on a Porter Cable 7424 daul action polisher but have questions on the pads, 5.5" vs 6.5", other than the size what is the difference? Also microfiber towels, who makes the best or are they all the same and why do they have the stiched edge on them, I know its to keep the towel togeather but I bought cheap MF towels, I think Maguirs and the edge put a surface scratch on the car. I watched some vid's on polishing and saw a premimum MF towel used, at least thats what they called it and it did look thicker than the normal towel, again I think this was Maguirs but all the sites I go to don't show different MF towels. I want to get a starter kit with the PC polisher and some extras to get me going, has anybody bought one of these kits? Who makes the best pads for the polishers? Any help or experiances, good or bad, and what you use would be appreciated. I now use high end 100% cotten towels for the car for polish and wax application and buffing, I'm thinking of sticking with these instead of MF towels, is there an advantage, one vs the other, I currently dry the car with a leaf blower after washing and it works like a hot damm.
Thanks
Finn

[David McLaughlin]

I'd use only high quality foam pads for my buff and polish then clean up with a spray wax and microfiber towels.

[HHI944]

What he said!
And a silicone blade to dry.

[s_morrison57]

Who's pads, polish and towels do you use, thats what I'm asking. A buddy used a blade to dry his car until he saw the leaf blower trick, if you try it use an electric blower, some of the gas blowers vent the exhaust into the blower stream
Finn

[RWebb]

Use this Porter Cable random orbit sander - works great; has similar orbit revs. & etc. to their $200 polisher and cost me only $30 (might be a tad more now).

Unless you plan to make a business out of polishing cars, you do not need more than this.

...and it works as a sander too

[RWebb]

you need a decent foam pad - go to an autobody shop if you want a high end one or go to a discount store & buy Meguairs or Mothers. Griots will ship you a nice one for a very high price.

just use old 100% cotton towels, or again visit the Meguairs web site - go there anyway to get a customized rec. for your car in your location with your amount of labor & $$ input.

There is NO reason to spend a huge amt. of money on this. If you do not believe that, then do a side by side test on vertical & horizontal surfaces of your car. I did.

[wdfifteen]

[Hugh R]

I always thought the polishers sort of spun free, in that you can't burn the paint. I bought one for like $30 at Pep Boys.