Newkie said:
I am going to be polishing my new paint job in a few weeks. Should I go with ...
The choice of tool depends on the job at hand.
What are you trying to accomplish? Do you need to buff out sanding scratch? Is the finish already smooth and relatively shiny and you just need to bring up the gloss? Is there any oversrpay? Is it single stage or clearcoated?
Newkie said:
...Harbor freight has a 7" angle for 29.99 at the moment and Walley World has the 10" Orbital ...
I don’t think a 10” orbital has any value at all. They’re too slow and too low powered to accomplish significant defect correction. They’re too large/awkward for simple application of wipe-on products on passenger cars.
For light to moderate correction and general maintenance I’d go with a 6” dual-action machine like Porter-Cable’s 7424 (a.k.a. 7336, 7335, Meguiar’s G100 or simply <span style="font-style: italic">the PC</span>), Meguiar’s G110, Sonus’ UDM, Griots polisher, etc.
Heavy correction takes a rotary buffer (<span style="font-style: italic">and practice</span>).
Newkie said:
... The 7" only comes in two speeds. I think (2400, 3400). ...
Both are too fast. You want to stay below about 2000 rpm for rotary buffing. Besides, you really, <span style="font-style: italic">really</span> want variable speed control.
Horrible Freight does sell variable speed rotary buffers.
Newkie said:
... is their a good polishing compound that you like?...
Chemicals are like wrenches, some jobs can be done with lots of different ones, but there’s usually one that you find you’ll like best for a given job.
For machine buffing new paint I’d lean towards Meguiar’s M86 So1o compound system. But it all depends on level of correction needed and how the paint responds.
vping said:
... I am doing it by hand to prevent buring at the sharp edges but at this rate I'll be done some time in 2010.
You can use painters’ tape to mask off edges, power buff the flat areas and go over the edges by hand.
vping said:
What is this clay bar I always here people reffering to? Is something that Autozone might carry?
here’s an earlier BCF thread: <span style="font-weight: bold">
Proper Use of the Clay Bar</span>
Autozone should have Mothers and Meguiar’s clay bar kits. Any body shop supplier should also have clay.
PC.