Orbital waxers - should they be avoided?

TheSlave · Post by **TheSlave** » Sat May 10, 2003 9:40 am

I haven't seen this yet, so I thought I would be the one to ask. Those of you who have had years of experience polishing and waxing your cars - would you recommend one of those hand-held consumer orbital waxers? I've seen them available from $30+, and always wondered if they were worth it. Do they leave swirl marks? Can they be used effectively, and leave a good shine behind? I don't have the time to spend the hours on my car that some of you do, but I do want a great shine. Any advice?

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Sat May 10, 2003 1:17 pm

I was going to ask the same question on this board soon. Is there a difference in the size of the orbital waxer pad? Is bigger better? What type of pad or material should be used? Any brand better than others, without spending hundreds of dollars?

rasermon · Post by **rasermon** » Sat May 10, 2003 2:13 pm

LOL, every time I see one in an auto parts store I think of the same thing.

rubberman · Post by **rubberman** » Sat May 10, 2003 6:47 pm

I have had one for years.Its a craftsman 10 inch Orbital buffer it works great especially on larger cars and trucks with lots of flat areas and cuts the time needed to wax a car. You still need to do some areas by hand were the buffer can't reach it does alot nicer job then using your arms

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Sat May 10, 2003 8:18 pm

quote:I have had one for years.Its a craftsman 10 inch Orbital buffer it works great especially on larger cars and trucks with lots of flat areas and cuts the time needed to wax a car. You still need to do some areas by hand were the buffer can't reach it does alot nicer job then using your arms I agree!I have a 10 inch one also,and it makes a lot easyer and shorter to waxing a car.Dont't buy an expensive one.They are all the same.But you have to buy at least a 10 inch one.I love mine.

Vibe Rater · Post by **Vibe Rater** » Sun May 11, 2003 4:32 am

quote:I agree!I have a 10 inch one also,and it makes a lot easier Great! But what size is your orbital buffer?

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Sun May 11, 2003 5:14 am

What a coincidence - just went and bought one today (Simoniz brand, sale $69.99CDN @ Canadian Tire). I'm skeptical, it seems to be too good to be true - but I'll give it a shot and report back.And Vibe Rater - good one.

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Sun May 11, 2003 6:13 am

quote:Great! But what size is your orbital buffer? That's funny!I read it like 10 times,and than it came to me

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Sun May 11, 2003 6:23 am

quote:What a coincidence - just went and bought one today (Simoniz brand, sale $69.99CDN @ Canadian Tire). I'm skeptical, it seems to be too good to be true - but I'll give it a shot and report back. Sorry to saying this,but it's way too small.You going to need like 10 pads to do your car.I know the cordless thing is nice,but you have to have at least an 8 inch BUFFER (i hope vibe rater can undarstend this).But you can try and than take it back for an exchange if you think i was right.Goog luck!

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Sun May 11, 2003 8:51 am

quote:It should work for what you have to do. Nice to have things that are cordless and no cord to get in the way. I did not say it is not going to work.I just sad it will take a lot longer time,and she has to use a lot more pads.I have no idea how long are those batterie's power lost,but it took me at least 4-5 hours to finish a 3 step waxing with a 10 inch buffer.Sorry Keely if I confused you!

Vibe · Post by **Vibe** » Sun May 11, 2003 9:23 am

I have an orbital buffer and used correctly they do an outstanding job.For the final buff I fold up a soft TEE Shirt and place it under the wheel . The trick is KEEP IT MOVING and don't let it sit because you will burn the paint. Pratice on a piece of painted metal like an old refridgerator or something BEFORE you take it to your expensive car.I love mine!! James

Keely · Post by **Keely** » Sun May 11, 2003 10:21 am

quote:Nice to have things that are cordless and no cord to get in the way. Is it just me or is all this talk about size and being cordless - are we still talking about orbital buffers? This thing can accomodate an 8" pad I think - that's not too bad. Well, the only way to find out for sure is to give it a chance. Hopefully, I can wash the car later this week. I can never get anything done on the weekends!

MrRich · Post by **MrRich** » Sun May 11, 2003 12:06 pm

Ok Guys!A few tips from me how to use the buffer:1.Always apply the wax on with hand,and not with the buffer(I tryed,and the wax was all over on my face ) 2.Make a circle motion with the buffer when use it.But don't push it too hard.3.When the buffer leaves greese looks,it means your pad is dirty.But don't forget,you can use both side of the pad.4.When you finish one coat,put a totaly clean pad on and go all over again.Just make it sure all the wax came off(This time you can do it faster)5.When you finished,washed the pads right away.You can throw them to the washing machine.6.After a few hours of using the buffer,you will feel a "funny" filling in your hands.Don't worry it goes away,just takes time Have fun guys.I had a "lot of fun" when i waxed my car with the buffer first time.O!Yes,and don't give up!Next time will be better!

PBFlash · Post by **PBFlash** » Sun May 11, 2003 12:58 pm

When I worked at a detail shop we always used an orbital waxer. Never had a problem getting wax all over my face, maybe you used too much wax. We used a liquid wax (can't remember the brand), squirted a little in the area you were doing and used the waxer to spread it out. Then a clean pad to buff it off. It really worked great. quote:After a few hours of using the buffer,you will feel a "funny" filling in your hands.Don't worry it goes away,just takes time I know that feeling. I was doing 2-4 cars a day, 6 days a week. You kinda get used to it after awhile.

PBFlash · Post by **PBFlash** » Sun May 11, 2003 1:03 pm

I believe it was actually a 3M product.

PBFlash · Post by **PBFlash** » Mon May 26, 2003 3:22 am

I just bought a 10 in random orbit 2600 rpm buffer/polisher from Wal-Mart for $19.83. I was hoping to try it out today but it's pouring. Hopefully next weekend because my car really needs it. It's also rated at .65 amps so I am hoping I can plug it into the outlet instead of running a long extension cord across the yard.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon May 26, 2003 4:33 am

quote:What a coincidence - just went and bought one today (Simoniz brand, sale $69.99CDN @ Canadian Tire). I'm skeptical, it seems to be too good to be true - but I'll give it a shot and report back. Sorry to saying this,but it's way too small.You going to need like 10 pads to do your car.I know the cordless thing is nice,but you have to have at least an 8 inch BUFFER (i hope vibe rater can undarstend this).But you can try and than take it back for an exchange if you think i was right.Goog luck! Thanks guy. I was thinking about getting this one but I was very sceptical. I'll get another one bigger

Orbital waxers - should they be avoided?

Orbital waxers - should they be avoided?

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (TheSlave)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (Vibe Rater)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (TheSlave)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (rubberman)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (MrRich)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (Vibe Rater)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (Vibe Rater)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (Keely)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (silverawd26)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (TheSlave)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (silverawd26)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (silverawd26)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (MrRich)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (silverawd26)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (TheSlave)

Re: Orbital waxers - should they be avoided? (MrRich)