random orbital buffer - 6 or 10 inch?

[defcon65]

Bill, that's a good idea to practice on on old car before doing the Porsche, I have just the car in mind - my 95 Accord work car. I've had it for 5 years and it's never been waxed. You might say the finish is a little dull. Do those pads last awhile, or should I buy an extra set to do two cars?
Thanks guys for all the replies to my re-post. The Carrera looks good now but wait until I give it the 'treatment'.

Joe

[911S Targa]

as a side note.,,.,.,.,Be Warned : If you are using these type of polishers on a factory paint job, know most manufacturers only put 1 layer of clear coat on the car. You will burn that off in a hurry if you don't keep the polisher moving. If your polishing a car that has been professionally painted, you probably have 2 to 4 coats of clear, if done right. You still don't want to leave the polisher in one spot for too long, but you do have less of a chance of burning threw to your paint

[defcon65]

I was informed by another Pelican that 85s have no clear coat - is that right? The same thing had occurred to me, if it had a clear coat it would likely be old and burn off easy.

Joe

[911S Targa]

Originally posted by defcon65
Bill, that's a good idea to practice on on old car before doing the Porsche, I have just the car in mind - my 95 Accord work car. I've had it for 5 years and it's never been waxed. You might say the finish is a little dull. Do those pads last awhile, or should I buy an extra set to do two cars?
Thanks guys for all the replies to my re-post. The Carrera looks good now but wait until I give it the 'treatment'.

Joe

Yes, the pads can last a while, just as long as you take care of them. Keep them clean (follow the steps shown at the website posted in this thread.). Out of the 5 cars I have, I drive, and polish only 3 of them. Each car has there own pads. so I have 3 sets, plus brand new sets in the cabinet for each.

[scottb]

Originally posted by 911S Targa
as a side note.,,.,.,.,Be Warned : If you are using these type of polishers on a factory paint job, know most manufacturers only put 1 layer of clear coat on the car. You will burn that off in a hurry if you don't keep the polisher moving. If your polishing a car that has been professionally painted, you probably have 2 to 4 coats of clear, if done right. You still don't want to leave the polisher in one spot for too long, but you do have less of a chance of burning threw to your paint

This is precisely why I will never use an orbital polisher like the Milwaukee. Bill is a professional, and knows what he's doing. For the rest of us "weekend warriors," the Porter Cable is much safer -- it's virtually impossible to burn the paint.

[911S Targa]

Originally posted by scottb
This is precisely why I will never use an orbital polisher like the Milwaukee. Bill is a professional, and knows what he's doing. For the rest of us "weekend warriors," the Porter Cable is much safer -- it's virtually impossible to burn the paint.

Its really easy to pick up on how to use these type of polishers. When I started out on them, I was polishing cars that were going back out to the used car lot. Also had to polish the imperfections in the new cars. So thats what I learned on. It takes a short time to get a handle how to use them. The hardest thing to learn was to know when to use which pad, for which job. But there is sooo much info on the web today, its pretty easy to figure out.

Heck, maybe I should hold a class.,...,. Polishing 101.

Here's a trick. Let the polisher do the work. All you should be doing it guiding it.You dont put any force onto the polisher, no need to. The speed(rotation) of the pad, the pad type, and the polish your using should be doing all the work.

And I am by no means suggesting everybody go out and buy a pro polisher. I'm just saying they arent that hard to use. Just like the 915 tranny, once its in your hands long enough, you get full understanding.

[look 171]

Originally posted by defcon65
Well, thanks for all the responses - I should have realized the correct answer was going to include the inevitable suggestion to spend MORE MONEY on the Porsche - I'm eight months into my fantasy purchase and I don't see this trend stopping anytime soon.
Plus the difference between a $25 buffer and a $125 buffer ain't gonna buy too much paint work.
I'll check the specials and order the Porter-Cable. Hope it doesn't piss off all the Milwaukee tools I already own.

Joe

Bosch also make one.