I bought one of these at the Barrett-Jackson auction this year. I visit the giant Meguiar's trailer there every year and have almost bought a buffer numerous times, but this year I bit the bullet. For $250, I got the buffer, a box containing an array of Meguiar's products and a large nylon case with scads of zipper pockets for carrying everything.
I used the buffer on Saturday with great results. I went over my GTO first using the regular Meguiar's paint cleaner (maroon bottle) with the yellow polishing pad, following that with an application of their NXT wax using the tan waxing pad. Turned out pretty well--certainly better than I could've done by hand.
I've gone through cycles over the years in how I care for my car finishes. Years ago I used to use a Wen orbital buffer with various pads (terry cloth, foam, etc.), but then quit and starting doing everything by hand to be safer. Hand polishing and waxing certainly was safer, but exhausting. Inconsistent, too. This Meguiar's buffer (a Porter-Cable tool, actually) finally brought me back around to machine buffing. It's a smaller unit than my old Wen buffer; much easier to manipulate and very, very safe.
Have not got one yet. I am strongly considering one. So after your comments I want one even more. Seems like its fairly good.
There's no reason not to, honestly. If you currently are using the little yellow Meguiar's foam pads for hand waxing, all you're doing by going to their dual-action polisher is mechanizing the process. The buffing pads you use with the polisher are pretty much the same thing as the foam pads, but they're thick enough and soft enough that you run no risk to your paint (unless you actually drop the polisher or something like that).
The only drawback is that Meguiar's kinda soaks you when it comes to the peripheral stuff you need. I got my kit as an all-in-one kinda deal, but I've noticed that if you go to buy the buffer separately, you may have to buy each individual piece separately--the backing plate, the yellow foam pad, the beige foam pad, etc. I could be wrong about that, but just be sure you buy everything you'll need.
Used to use a Milwaukee buffer -- but went to hand work ages ago and stayed there.
I'll confess, I'm a little surprised at myself for going back to a buffer. That Wen buffer I used to use was so huge, loud and unweildy that I had no regrets when I ditched it. It served me well (I used it back in my college days to detail friends' cars for spending money), but it was such a chore to deal with. Then the screw-in handle broke off, leaving me no choice but to just hold onto the body of the buffer. Lame.
The Porter-Cable unit Meguiars co-opts is much tidier and quieter--far less intimidating. It's doing exactly what I'd do by hand, only faster and more evenly.
And if it's a good workout you're looking for, forgo the microfiber bonnet for wax removal and use a microfiber towel instead! That's what I did.
The Porter-Cable unit Meguiars co-opts is much tidier and quieter--far less intimidating. It's doing exactly what I'd do by hand, only faster and more evenly.
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Exactly, that is what is great about it, I'll often spend 5+ hours polishing a customers paint job, no way in hell could I do that by hand
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Reflections Detailing Inc.
(anyone in Orange County need a good detail job let me know)
Ordered mine. Should be here in 7 days. i bought the all in one kit with the pads, and bottles. We have a Meguiars rep that services our dealership. So I got a nice price.
Ordered mine. Should be here in 7 days. i bought the all in one kit with the pads, and bottles. We have a Meguiars rep that services our dealership. So I got a nice price.
good job You'll love this thing
BTW, in case anyone else is looking, I should of mentioned this earler, all the Meguiars buffer is, is a porter cable 7336 or 7242, both can be found for about $100. The cool thing w/ the megs package is you get pads, product, a backing plate etc.
If you guys have any questions on what products to use etc, feel free to ask me. Afterall, this is what I do for a living
__________________
Reflections Detailing Inc.
(anyone in Orange County need a good detail job let me know)
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You'll love this thing
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