Is this a decent polisher? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chef-beavis · 03-31-2015, 06:58 AM

For awhile now, I've debated on buying a new polisher to use when I don't need to use my rotary (career bodyman), like detailing the Camaro. I was leaning towards the Flex because I always hear good things but haven't allocated the funds, yet.

So cleaning my shed to move to a new house this weekend, I came across this polisher a co-worker gave me 15 years ago. I forgot I even had it. Is anyone familiar with it? How would it compare to a Flex if I got a new backing plate and pads and blew the cobwebs out of it?

For the record, my rotary happens to be a Black and Decker I bought in 91 or so that was the same as the electric buffer Snap-On sold at the time. They put a chrome cap on it and upped the price $100. The rotary has been a beast of a work horse for 20+ years and converted a lot of people that borrowed it from Milwaukee.

So, are any of you familiar with this polisher? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Joe M 2012 2SS · 03-31-2015, 10:21 AM

It's a random orbital, the Flex is forced rotation, the flex is also capable of generating much higher OPM, being that this machine is only capable of 2400/2900 opm, it would be good for applying waxes, sealants or glazes, but for correction you would want a machine capable of higher OPM.

chef-beavis · 03-31-2015, 11:38 AM

Ok. Thanks!

Adam's Polishes · 03-31-2015, 12:56 PM

WOW! Thats a low OPM range.

Like Joe pointed out - good for applying a wax, but at 2900 opm won't be worth much in terms of polishing/correction as that needs to be done 6000+

chef-beavis · 03-31-2015, 02:49 PM

Yeah, I didn't know that. My rotary pegs at 3500 rpm and I can find sheet metal in one second. Lol So who wants to buy an orbital waxer? Ha ha ha

Joe M 2012 2SS · 03-31-2015, 06:47 PM

If you want a random orbital at a cheap price, Harbor Freight makes a 6" orbital you could get for around $50 with coupons. I haven't used one, and it only comes with a 90 day warranty, but Gary Dean who is a pro detailer swears by it. He has a video on you tube comparing it to a Rupes ($400), and likes the HF better.

I got the Griots Garage 6" on Amazon for $100, it has a lifetime warranty, the Porter Cable 7424XP is a good machine around the same price.

If you can afford it at around $350, I would get the Flex XC 3401 VRG forced rotation orbital.

03-31-2015, 06:58 AM	#1
chef-beavis Drives: IOM 2013 2SS/RS, Greenie, 06 FXSTBi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Turd Town, WI Posts: 1,585	Is this a decent polisher? For awhile now, I've debated on buying a new polisher to use when I don't need to use my rotary (career bodyman), like detailing the Camaro. I was leaning towards the Flex because I always hear good things but haven't allocated the funds, yet. So cleaning my shed to move to a new house this weekend, I came across this polisher a co-worker gave me 15 years ago. I forgot I even had it. Is anyone familiar with it? How would it compare to a Flex if I got a new backing plate and pads and blew the cobwebs out of it? For the record, my rotary happens to be a Black and Decker I bought in 91 or so that was the same as the electric buffer Snap-On sold at the time. They put a chrome cap on it and upped the price $100. The rotary has been a beast of a work horse for 20+ years and converted a lot of people that borrowed it from Milwaukee. So, are any of you familiar with this polisher? Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Attached Images

03-31-2015, 10:21 AM	#2
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	It's a random orbital, the Flex is forced rotation, the flex is also capable of generating much higher OPM, being that this machine is only capable of 2400/2900 opm, it would be good for applying waxes, sealants or glazes, but for correction you would want a machine capable of higher OPM.

03-31-2015, 11:38 AM	#3
chef-beavis Drives: IOM 2013 2SS/RS, Greenie, 06 FXSTBi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Turd Town, WI Posts: 1,585	Ok. Thanks!

03-31-2015, 12:56 PM	#4
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	WOW! Thats a low OPM range. Like Joe pointed out - good for applying a wax, but at 2900 opm won't be worth much in terms of polishing/correction as that needs to be done 6000+

03-31-2015, 02:49 PM	#5
chef-beavis Drives: IOM 2013 2SS/RS, Greenie, 06 FXSTBi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Turd Town, WI Posts: 1,585	Yeah, I didn't know that. My rotary pegs at 3500 rpm and I can find sheet metal in one second. Lol So who wants to buy an orbital waxer? Ha ha ha

03-31-2015, 06:47 PM	#6
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	If you want a random orbital at a cheap price, Harbor Freight makes a 6" orbital you could get for around $50 with coupons. I haven't used one, and it only comes with a 90 day warranty, but Gary Dean who is a pro detailer swears by it. He has a video on you tube comparing it to a Rupes ($400), and likes the HF better. I got the Griots Garage 6" on Amazon for $100, it has a lifetime warranty, the Porter Cable 7424XP is a good machine around the same price. If you can afford it at around $350, I would get the Flex XC 3401 VRG forced rotation orbital.