Polishing the Truck

[Dkevdog]

What buffer or polisher are you guys using to polish the ram? I had a no name brand 7" random orbital polisher I bought at Pep Boys. BIG MISTAKE!!! The Damn thing came apart and skated accross the hood (fortunately on my wife's van ) and left three real impressionable scratches. Are the "Polisher" units made by Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, etc. . any good? Or should I go and find a better polisher?



Kev

 

[Archive]

Yes, those are all good brands. In my experience, the most important thing to have on your polisher, is a variable speed control. You're also going to want to use a nice foam pad and some machine glaze. Check with a body shop supply house for details on brands, and the proper way to polish. You have to be VERY careful not to burn through your paint or you will be an unhappy camper. Hope that helped...

 

[Okie-Go]

I guess I am like an old time laundry man. I do it by hand.

 

[Archive]

I do too. But if you're going to do it with a machine, you might as well do it right... Polishers are also great tools for removing swirl marks in dark colored trucks.

 

[EFielding]

I have been using a Craftsman randon orbital. Works well, but does not mave a variable speed



And Grease Monkey is right; too much pressure and the clear coat is gone

 

[Happy Camper]

I use elbow grease and Protect All. Not much work and a lot of pleasure looking at that baby shine.

 

[Dkevdog]

I need an orbital because I have badly oxidized paint on the roof. I have run out of elbow grease. I am looking into the cyclo- about 250 bucks, I'm just not sure its than much better or worth the money in the first place. I'm staying clear of the underpowered cheapos- I learned that lesson the hard way and have the marks on the hood to prove it!



Kev

 

[John]

Random Orbital Polisher

I purchased my (Porter Cable) 6" dia. random orbital polisher from Griot's Garage www.griotsgarage.com along with the remainder of the random orbital polishing kit. A custom made rubber backing plate is utilized to reduce heat transfer to your paint as opposed to other systems using plastic backing plates. The Griot's system uses foam buffing/polishing pads in differing densities as well as thicknesses. The thing I like best about the foam pads is that a rank neophyte can obtain professional results.



I have a BLACK Sport, and the random orbital and foam pads easily removed all swirl marks leaving absolutely no trace! Awesome! Even the light scratches I got during a wind storm last winter (dirty plastic sheeting blew up against the side of my Ram on the freeway) buffed right out! However, there were permanent scratches left in the side glass on my Glasstite Vision II canopy!



I still have to do the small or intricate areas by hand however, IMO, the random orbital is the ONLY way to go! The wax job lasts longer and it saves your arms.

 

[Archive]

John,



I've seen the Griot's package, and it looks like a good deal. Have you had similar success using it on your camper shell as well?

 

[1tuffram]

I agree if you are going to purchase a polisher/buffer get one of the professional ones (like the PorterCable). Only downside from what I've heard is you need to be careful and know what you are doing or you can mess-up the clear coat and paint.



Practice on the wife's van. She will think you're so sweet to use your new toy on her rig first

 

[John]

Originally posted by 1tuffram

Only downside from what I've heard is you need to be careful and know what you are doing or you can mess-up the clear coat and paint.

That's not true of the polishers using the foam polishing pads (please reference my previous post).



Grease Monkey, yes I obtained the same (excellent) results on my "camper Shell" (canopy, cap, topper etc. ) as I did with the black paint/clear coat on my Ram.

 

[Randy J]

Check out this link: http://www.meguiars.com/collections/centennial.cfm

You can buy a complete kit from Meguiars, including a DA polisher that works real well. I bought the kit about 3 years ago, and the polisher (the cheap one) is still working well.

 

[Dkevdog]

I spoke with the detailer who does my bosses 67 Corvette and hw was using (among others) a Cyclo 5 dual head random orbit poisher. Very well constructed it is supposed to be the best available. He has attachments for it to clean everything from diamond plate to carpet and uphosltery. Unless he is using the high speed buffers, it is all he uses.



Best Price

here



Although, the Porter cable model looks pretty good as well, plus it is variable speed.

I found it at a real good price where I normally buy my construction tools. Builders Central



I like the attachments for the Cyclo though It would be great to be able to clean the carpets and interior with it.



I guess its time to make a choice



Kev

 

[Archive]

Contrary to what Griot's ad would have you believe, you CAN actually burn through paint with the average foam polishing pad. I've never looked closely at the Griot's pads, so maybe they are different, but I have definitely seen people toast their clear coat with foam pads. So whatever method you use, keep the polisher moving, and let the polisher do the work instead of leaning into it.



D



Griot's also sells the cyclo model, but I don't know their price...

 

[John]

Huh?

Originally posted by Grease Monkey

Contrary to what Griot's ad would have you believe, you CAN actually burn through paint with the average foam polishing pad.

I don't know about the "average" polishing pad however, after using all three of the foam pads offered by Griot's Garage (white: thick, for polishing... semi-finish, orange: thin, for polishing, also semi-finish and red: their newest foam pad, thin, more pliable than the other two, for applying the wax, not polishing compound), I would have to say you would have to be a total moron to screw up the results with this system (providing you are using their polishing system... i. e. , the Porter Cable polisher with the Griot's backing plate, their polishes and wax, as well as their foam pads, following their included, detailed instructions).



Please keep in mind the Griot's Garage backing plate is NOT the same backing plate offered by others... it was custom designed to Richard Griot's stringent specifications. This is explained in their catalog.

 

[lschultz]

I bought mine at Wally World. I think its a 10" only cost 20+ so I guess its a cheap one. But it works. I put it on by hand (Zymol)and took it off with the orbital saves a lot of time. First time I ever use one. Next time I'll try putting it on with it. But you have to keep it moving. You should try Klasse. Read about it over on VWvortex and got some. Used it on my VW and it does make a difference. Best thing I like about it if you get some on black trim,etc it does't turn white. I think you can get it at autopia and carcareonline.

 

[Dkevdog]

I've tried the Klasse and it is an awsome product. Just to let all be known: I Ordered the Cyclo today. No it wasn't cheap, but I like the interchangeability and features. Money back guarantee so I'll give it a shot. I've had a good number of pro detailers tell me it is the best orbital in the world, bar none. I'll let you know after I've had a chance to use it.



Kev