Difficult to use buffer? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SS_Matt · 10-07-2011, 12:13 AM

My Camaro I picked up with some swirl marks. The dealership agreed to have it buffed at their expense, but that takes time out of my work day and with my luck the person working on my car will mess something up.

I found a buffer I was given as a gift several years ago. It still works fine, just needs a new cover.

Is this something I can/should try on my own or is it pretty easy to screw up my paint with a buffer??

Any tips from experts on how to use it properly? Thanks...

Weezerj · 10-07-2011, 12:24 AM

Brand?

If you haven't yet, check out Junkman's vids on youtube....

caliguy · 10-07-2011, 12:27 AM

What kind of buffer is it you have? if its one those cheap ones like from kragen, or auto zone? dont bother they just viberate, you need a good buffer that actuallys spins in circles and that has variable speed, Also you'll need right compounds do to this i use all 3M products from our local paint/body supply shop with correct pads, But yes if you dont know what your doing you can burn the paint or clear off,

I picked up a good variable speed buffer from Harbour fright tools, 7inch pads then went to supply shop picked up pads and compounds.

SS_Matt · 10-07-2011, 12:39 AM

My ex gf's dad bought it for me like... 10 years ago. I think from Target or something. lol
I've used it in the past and worked fine I suppose, but using the right pads and polish and technique maybe it'll work better?

It does rotate, but speed isn't adjustable.

Brand... starts with an R. Ryobi? Looks like about a 10 inch or so...

GEEo · 10-07-2011, 12:48 AM

I don't think its a buffer man maybe thats just a waxer.

cuz the buffer has adjustable speed.

Can you post pic of it?

SS_Matt · 10-07-2011, 01:24 AM

Looks like this. Older model- but you get the idea.

SS_Matt · 10-07-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Matt

Looks like this. Older model- but you get the idea.

Obzen · 10-07-2011, 02:28 AM

I wouldn't bother. If you want to do it yourself. Order a porter cable 7424xp and some pads. Very safe to use and works wonders.

Don't take chances with the cheap stuff. Do it right or pay someone to do it.

GEEo · 10-07-2011, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Matt

It looks like its just a waxer.

get the PC7424XP it works great!! and not hard to use.

I personally use one and totally recommend it!

REDXIIIDave · 10-07-2011, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEEo

It looks like its just a waxer.

get the PC7424XP it works great!! and not hard to use.

I personally use one and totally recommend it!

For sure. That thing you have is worthless. A Porter Cable orbital (or equivalent) is what you need to get rid of swirls. Do it right, or don't do it at all. Check out Adam's website for all the info you need to do this right. Be prepared to spend some money. It will be well worth it.

That Ryobi thing should never be in the same room as your car.

fbodfather · 10-07-2011, 08:02 AM

i would caution you about using a rotary buffer versus an orbital buffer......

Using a rotary buffer requires an aquired skill - and if you aren't careful, you can 'burn' the paint as it 'grabs' the surface. An orbital buffer eliminates that hazard.

The first thing I'd do is to 'clay' the car - either using Zaino or Adams -- and then study the surface to see if it really does need buffing. (use a polish by hand and then the final finish - it may be that you won't need to buff it with a power buffer.........

Go conservative with the polish as you will be removing some of the clear-coat - and then follow with a coat or two of Zaino or Adams.......

...........and then sit back and enjoy the beauty of your new Camaro!

STL20102SS · 10-07-2011, 08:33 AM

I highly recommend that you go to Adam's Polishes forum and specifically the Junkman's FAQ section. In there you will find a wealth of knowledge in his videos on how to properly care for your paint including the use a machine polishers like the Porter Cable. I have used it on my paint and the results are amazing.

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/ju...rner/11525.htm

10forty2 · 10-07-2011, 08:35 AM

Yeah, +1000 on don't use a circular buffer if you've never used one before. It only takes a second and you've ruined your paint. Give it a good once-over with some hand polishing and see if that makes a difference. It'll take the better part of a day to do it right. If not, take it to a professional detailer and have it done right! Once the swirls are gone, you can easily maintain it the proper way yourself and not get them again.

Kwik · 10-07-2011, 08:36 AM

Get a Porter Cable at Auto Geek. They have all of the supplies and some great DIY videos. Toss the one you have.

10-07-2011, 12:13 AM	#1
SS_Matt permagrin Drives: 2012 LS3 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,050	Difficult to use buffer? My Camaro I picked up with some swirl marks. The dealership agreed to have it buffed at their expense, but that takes time out of my work day and with my luck the person working on my car will mess something up. I found a buffer I was given as a gift several years ago. It still works fine, just needs a new cover. Is this something I can/should try on my own or is it pretty easy to screw up my paint with a buffer?? Any tips from experts on how to use it properly? Thanks... __________________ 2012 Black on black SS RS LS3

10-07-2011, 12:27 AM	#3
caliguy Don't ask to pop my hood! Drives: it's loud....... Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: southern cali, Posts: 852	What kind of buffer is it you have? if its one those cheap ones like from kragen, or auto zone? dont bother they just viberate, you need a good buffer that actuallys spins in circles and that has variable speed, Also you'll need right compounds do to this i use all 3M products from our local paint/body supply shop with correct pads, But yes if you dont know what your doing you can burn the paint or clear off, I picked up a good variable speed buffer from Harbour fright tools, 7inch pads then went to supply shop picked up pads and compounds. __________________ *Limo tint rears, 35% sides \| B&G lowering springs \| BowTies Blacked out \| Red Footwells\|Dome Light\|Kicker 500Watts-Amp-Kicker 12" Ported Sub=BOOM\| Stillin Splitter \|Pssst 100 shot\|* *13.36 @102.7 @LVMS \|* *2010*.

10-07-2011, 12:39 AM	#4
SS_Matt permagrin Drives: 2012 LS3 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,050	My ex gf's dad bought it for me like... 10 years ago. I think from Target or something. lol I've used it in the past and worked fine I suppose, but using the right pads and polish and technique maybe it'll work better? It does rotate, but speed isn't adjustable. Brand... starts with an R. Ryobi? Looks like about a 10 inch or so... __________________ 2012 Black on black SS RS LS3

10-07-2011, 01:24 AM	#6
SS_Matt permagrin Drives: 2012 LS3 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,050	Looks like this. Older model- but you get the idea. __________________ 2012 Black on black SS RS LS3

10-07-2011, 08:02 AM	#11
fbodfather Drives: Camaros................ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seven Fields, PA (Pittsburgh) Posts: 4,523	i would caution you about using a rotary buffer versus an orbital buffer...... Using a rotary buffer requires an aquired skill - and if you aren't careful, you can 'burn' the paint as it 'grabs' the surface. An orbital buffer eliminates that hazard. The first thing I'd do is to 'clay' the car - either using Zaino or Adams -- and then study the surface to see if it really does need buffing. (use a polish by hand and then the final finish - it may be that you won't need to buff it with a power buffer......... Go conservative with the polish as you will be removing some of the clear-coat - and then follow with a coat or two of Zaino or Adams....... ...........and then sit back and enjoy the beauty of your new Camaro! __________________

10-07-2011, 12:24 AM	#2
Weezerj Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS -- 02 Escalade Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 668 View My Garage	Brand? If you haven't yet, check out Junkman's vids on youtube....

10-07-2011, 12:48 AM	#5
GEEo OKCamaros Drives: 4 banger Diesel Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 4,572	I don't think its a buffer man maybe thats just a waxer. cuz the buffer has adjustable speed. Can you post pic of it?

10-07-2011, 02:28 AM	#8
Obzen Pull up Cougar! Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,875	I wouldn't bother. If you want to do it yourself. Order a porter cable 7424xp and some pads. Very safe to use and works wonders. Don't take chances with the cheap stuff. Do it right or pay someone to do it.

10-07-2011, 08:33 AM	#12
STL20102SS Drives: SW 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 494 View My Garage	I highly recommend that you go to Adam's Polishes forum and specifically the Junkman's FAQ section. In there you will find a wealth of knowledge in his videos on how to properly care for your paint including the use a machine polishers like the Porter Cable. I have used it on my paint and the results are amazing. http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/ju...rner/11525.htm __________________ 2010 Summit White 2SS/RS M6: Injen longtube cold air intake, Borla S-Type cat-back exhaust, Tint, White painted rear diffuser, Red powder-coated Brembo calipers, New Era Performance ported throttle body, BMR 1" lowering springs, Hotchkis Chassis Max Strut Tower Brace, Red hash stripes, Vossen Matte Graphite/Machined CV5's

10-07-2011, 08:35 AM	#13
10forty2 Drives: 1992 Chevy K5 Blazer Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NC Posts: 576	Yeah, +1000 on don't use a circular buffer if you've never used one before. It only takes a second and you've ruined your paint. Give it a good once-over with some hand polishing and see if that makes a difference. It'll take the better part of a day to do it right. If not, take it to a professional detailer and have it done right! Once the swirls are gone, you can easily maintain it the proper way yourself and not get them again. __________________ Love beautiful photos? Please visit: http://dougloganphotography.zenfolio.com

10-07-2011, 08:36 AM	#14
Kwik Drives: car Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 801	Get a Porter Cable at Auto Geek. They have all of the supplies and some great DIY videos. Toss the one you have. __________________ Upgrades to suspension, brakes, motor and appearance. 482.7 RWHP- 434.2 RWT - All motor.

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