School me on machine polishers!

[core-rider]

I'm looking for a new machine polisher and was wondering what others are using. This polisher will see dual use on my boat as well as autos.... All are black. I've used a Makita rotary polisher on my boat before and was pleased, but I'm too novice to try it on automotive paint. I was looking at the random orbital polishers and there seems to be a lot of good feedback for the Porter Cable 7424XP. http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html
In a quick talk with the customer service guys at AutoGeek.net they seemed to think the Flex XC 3401 http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html would be a better choice for use on boat gelcoat as well as auto paint.

There is a BIG price difference and I want to make the right decision the first time. Any opinions out there? What are other using?

[ffmedic74]

I have a porter cable DA and does a great job.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[AirTool]

There are several long and helpful threads on here but I don't have time to single them out....check a few threads on the link below:

https://www.google.com/#q=orbital+%2...etnautique.com

[CradGen2]

I had the porter cable. The flex makes it look like a Walmart cheapy compared to the flex. Also check out the chemical guys website. I use to be a 3 m guy until I started working with their customer service. They are the best. I had a question on a Saturday on an application for my Infiniti. They answered and walked me through it.

[obd666]

+1 on the porter cable 7424XP for boat. i've been very satisfied with it for several years now.

i don't however use it for auto so i cant speak to it's effectiveness there ...

[core-rider]

I had the porter cable. The flex makes it look like a Walmart cheapy compared to the flex. Also check out the chemical guys website. I use to be a 3 m guy until I started working with their customer service. They are the best. I had a question on a Saturday on an application for my Infiniti. They answered and walked me through it.

Yeah, but I don't want to come off that kind of money right now. I'm going with the PC 7424XP XL kit AutoGeeks.net offers. It will come with enough pads for me to get started on auto and boat without cross-contaminating the pads. I'm also going to give their Marine 31 line of products a try. I normally use 3M, but it is for auto paint and not gelcoat. I think I will get better results using a marine app product.

[nyryan2001]

I've tried it all. I have a buffer but don't use it.

I get best fastest results using one of those $20 red buffer balls from Walmart on a 1/2" hammer drill with a side handle and Boat Candy wax. If you have decent oxidation use their Boat Candy Crystal Cut Polish... It's a 3/10 abrasive wise, then follow up with their wax for the mirror finish. I use the balls once and toss them.

^^^ this method goes fast... You are doing 2-3ft sections at a time. If you have a helper to wipe off the dried and buffed in wax with a microfiber.... It's goes real fast. I can do my G23, 1 hard time around in about 25mins wax only, really ground in well. Obviously if you are using a polish, you gotta go back over again to smooth out what you scuffed, so maybe 90mins to really wax it back to a mirror finish.

[cwindingland]

+1 on the Porter Cable. Gel is harder and more forgiving than most paint. So if you plan to use it on your auto as well I would recommend the D/A. You can get the same results, it will just take a bit longer and you're much less likely to burn through the paint. I am a bit obsessed about 'shiney things' so I have definitely put my Porter Cable to the test and have been very pleased with it.

[pe4me]

I went the harbor freight route and got what I paid for, however I learned from a carver yacht pro who had the right product to take the heavily oxidized gel out and restore the original purple luster of my 94 mc prostar 205. Having the right tool is certainly part of the equation, but whatever you buy, start in an inconspicuous spot and work from there. You can f it up fast if u don't know what u r doing. Some can make magic from HF tools...if in the right hands.

And for the record, I am no body man by anyone's standard. Just anal.

[pe4me]

I bought that HF polisher in 05 and it can with spare brushes...went through a few projects and still runs great. 6 speeds n orange. Many products r not in the league u r looking at but some are no brainers at $25.

[barefootinjimmy]

When I had Corvettes I purchased the Flex XL buffer from the Auto Geek. I have used it on several Corvettes, and now on my Nautiques. I should have bought this buffer a long time ago when I had the other older Nautiques. I love the variable speed on the Flex, I just love the Flex buffer period. It has served me well, and still running strong. I would recommend the Flex. If you want more feedback go to the Corvette Forum, they use both, and when I bought mine I read all of the feedback on the Corvette forum, then I made my decision. Hands down, I vote for the Flex XL with the carrying bag, and several foam pads. I would highly recommend the CCS pads, yellow, orange, white pads. Good luck! As a FYI: if you want to restore old paint on your cars, consider Zaino Bros. paint treatment. I fooled a lot of people making old paint look band new!!!

[swankster]

When applying wax do you use a buffer over the decals? I do that area by hand and on the G it seem like 1/2 the boat.

[core-rider]

I haven't had decals in about 6-7 years. That was the only time I really polished the boat. It's time to do it again which prompted this thread. I'm actually thinking about the new Chromax smoked letters for the side when I'm done.

[Marko1956]

Using a dual action polisher on decals should be ok if using wax, but I wouldn't use polish on the decals (by machine or by hand). Polish is an abrasive, wax is not. However, if using a machine and wax on the decals, tread lightly! Also, unless you are experienced, make sure you buy a "dual action" polisher.