I was wondering how hard it is to mess up your paint with a regular buffer. I have a lot of swirl marks and want to buff my truck. I'm kind of skeptical about doing it because I've heard of people messing up their paint.

Thanks

 

See this link that Jason posted last week.
http://automotivedetailing.com/articles/buffer.htm

I myself would never use a regular shop buffer, you can burn your paint and leave swirl marks.

If you want to learn how to use a "user friendly" buffer, please visit my detail section that is listed in my sig file below.

I have been using the Porter Cable "Random Orbital" buffer for a few years now and it's impossible to burn your paint or leave swirls.
Watch my video of my cramming the buffer down on my hood.
In fact it gets rid of swirl marks.

I have a lot of reading on page II of the detail site that goes into depth on how to get a good shiner.

 

Corey,

Do you swear by the random orbital?

Is it really worth the $100?

How much would it run me to just pay someone (detail shop) to do the buffing?

 

I swear by the PC unit.
I took first place August at the Boeing car show in 2001, and I bet I would have snagged it again last summer, but they don't allow laid off workers to enter.

My rig was last waxed May of last year, and it's still beading water and blinding in the sun when it's washed up.
It's worth the money.

What color is your rig?
I ask as a lot of folk's have great success with Zaino products on the forum here if you have a dark colored rig.
You apply that by hand.

But still every rig should be clayed prior to polishing or waxing.
Even if you use the Zaino products by hand as suggested, you can still "power clay" with the Porter Cable before applying any brand of wax either by hand or buffer.

I would not let a shop that uses a regular buffer touch my rig.
Many who run those units don't know how to properly run them.
You simply can not goof up your paint with the random orbit type.

On my wax page is a link to Meguiar's site.
Watch the buffer video if you get time by Barry Meguiar.
That vid is what sold me on getting the Porter Cable unit.

 

My truck is black. I too have heard a great deal about people with black vehicles and their success with Zainos. I've thought of ordering it, but just haven't done it yet.

Can I still apply the Zainos with the PC? Will it look better than doing it by hand? Also, about how long does it take you to clay and wax your truck with the PC? It seems to take forever doing it by hand.

How hard is it to clay the truck by hand? I don't see any point in spend $100 if I'm only going to use the PC for claying.

I'm new to this whole waxing thing. My truck is finally getting a good amount of swirl marks and I've decided its time to do something about it.

Thanks Corey

 

I think some have tried the Zaino with the PC and found it's better to do it by hand.

I think the Z wax is designed to go on real easy.
For me the Zaino would not work as my garage is the open outdoors, and you must leave Zaino on for a few hours to setup right.

In a few hours my rig is coated with pitch or pollen depending on what time of year it is.

OK, if I was to clay by hand, and wax by had, I could have 6 to 8 hours in easily on my rig.

With the PC setup from the time the buffer hits the paint with the clay bar holder, to the time I am doing the final wipe down taking off the wax by hand, two hours have passed.

It's so easy, and I will never go back to not using the PC ever again.

It's your call if you wanna clay by hand, or use the buffer, but using he buffer you will see better results.
Your hand can not compare to the speed of the buffer and the way it works.

 

I also bought the PC that Corey recommened. I haven't had any problems yet and it's easy to use. Lot's better than doing it by hand!

 

Guys,

I have the Corey Cable and yes, it does work well. A good buffer in experienced hands will frankly perform better but you have to know how to do it right or you will burn the paint. I used to work at Toyota and the guys who trained the dealers on how to use a buffer told me stories about how easily an inexperienced person w/ a buffer can damage paint in no time.

Thus, if you aren't experienced, the Corey Cable is a good investment.

Now, having said that, you said you have a black 4runner. I used to have a black 99 and my wife has a dark green 95 Camry. I finally succumbed to the Zaino crowd and let me tell you HOW DAMN IMPRESSED i am w/ their products. If I had known earlier, I highly doubt that I would've bought the CC.

As far as using the CC w/ Zaino, I'm sure it can be done (I read a thread about 1 guy who does on autopia.com), but for me, its really overkill. Zaino is EASY to put on and remove.

For black or anything dark, go Zaino. You will thank me later. And definitely ask Implsebrklyn what he thinks of Zaino or search his post on Zaino.

My wife's 1995 Camry after only a single coat:



My father-in-law was so shocked when he saw his old car looking so much better than when he gave it to us!

Bob

 

Oh my gosh!!!

That car looks spectacular! I'm definitely going to have to order the Zainos stuff now.

Thanks alot Bob

 

The PC will still come in handy for the Prep work before using the Zainos. If there are swirl marks on the paint you will want to use the PC with "3M Swirl Mark Remover". They sell 2 versions for light or dark paint. I don't think it matters too much which one you use. Work this with the PC until it dries and appears to be removed rather than leaving a haze on the surface. This takes a bit of practice. Also, the 3M SMR as it's known has an oily base so you will need to wash the vehicle with Dawn dish washing liquid before the Zaino application.

For mild scratches and oxidation I recommend "3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound". I just used it for the first time last weekend on Looseheads red 4-Runner. It was not too abrasive but more so then the 3M SMR. This dried to a non oily haze and wiped off easily. Excellent stuff!!

4-Runner Polishing Convention

The key to a great Zainos or any polish job is the Prep work. Wash then use the clay bar and wash. Then 3M Fine Cut or 3M SMR and wash. Then the Zainos polish.

Also, since your Truck is Black get some Microfiber Towels so you don't add more swirl marks while wiping the polish off or drying it..
PakShak Microfiber Towels

 

Ive been wanting to get the PC for awhile myself for my truck and 4 runner. The problem I have is that I also have a boat that needs to be compounded and polished, then waxed. On a boating forum I go to, a guy was using his PC R orbital on his boat, and burnt the PC up. It was just under warrantee or just out, dont remember which. PC took care of it for him, but told him that it was not ment for boats. To do a boat, they say, you need the straight polisher. Not a random orbit. So....I cant afford both, but I dont want to take a chance in burning the auto paint, which I know I will if I try a non RO polisher. Also, the boat compounding requires 1 speed, while the auto polish requires another, and 1 PC product does not hit both speeds. Anybody else have a situation like this? I may just get a random orbit and use it on the boat anyway. Anybody know anything about the Makita brand?

 

If anyone missed this thread, here's proof the Porter Cable can not mess up your rig.

williemon, I have not heard of using the PC on a boat, but it does have several speeds.
I think mine goes up to 8, and that is very fast.
I set it on 4 for doing the rig.

I don't see how it would hurt a PC doing a boat, but if PC told him that, there may be a reason.
Maybe check on the

detail forum and see if anyone has used it for a boat.