Whilst a machine will help you get more out of the time spent detailing your car, it’s a good idea to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages compared to detailing a car by hand.
Advantages:
1. Mechanical superiority – Let’s start with the physical capabilities of a rotary buffer machine which has the ability to achieve a maximum 3,000 revolutions per minute, something virtually impossible to be done by hand.
A rotary can provide centrifugal rotation at balanced loads thus creating friction which is crucial in paintwork corrections. This will break down the diminishing abrasives for modern compounds and polishes.
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| Rotary buffer. |
2. Consistency - You can’t beat it for an even finish for every square inch, letting you concentrate on finessing your technique and exploring the different detailing products available.
3. Speed - Naturally with a machine, you’ll get to detail your car quicker.
Disadvantages:
1. Paintwork risks – Typical automotive paintwork for an on-the-road vehicle is about the thickness of an A4 sheet paper, so there isn’t much “play” to allow for mistakes. Make a mistake and it usually means a trip to the paint-shop for the affected panel.
2. Learning curve – Whilst random orbitals are pretty much straightforward out-of-the-box, rotary buffers have a notoriously precipitous learning curve and are not for the faint-hearted. Centrifugal speed, pad pressure, heat dissipation, torque loading and a host of factors can vary the results.
3. Acquisition cost – Though subjective, the cost of a random orbital and/or rotary polisher can range from RM300 to RM2,000 depending on the quality and features excluding the cost of foam or wool pads amongst other accessories. This puts it into the category of someone having a fairly “committed” interest in detailing rather than a casual one.
4. Ergonomics – Not usually discussed, rotary buffers are renowned for their heavy weight and when it comes to polishing either vertical or horizontal sections of a car, which will usually result in sore muscles and back aches. Random orbitals on the other hand are excluded because they are extremely lightweight and easy to use.
So what kind of machine would be suited for a detailing enthusiast?
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| Random orbital buffer. |
If you’re looking for a machine that can help you wax your car quicker with a more even finish, then pick up a random orbital like the electric-powered Bosch GEX 270AE which will suit most detailing maintenance requirements.
A random orbital is essentially a sanding tool that can be adapted for certain detailing applications and oscillates at varying speeds, limiting the amount of friction unlike a rotary buffer which has a direct unhindered contact point.
Because of its oscillating function, a random orbital produces a lot of vibrations, which allows it to “float” over the surface with very limited contact to the paintwork.
It is excellent for waxing a car but doesn’t allow for much paintwork correction.
This is a gentle machine that has very low risks of damaging paint. Another function that the random orbital could be used for would be to glaze paintwork.
It is suitable for masking fine swirls and scratches at home. If however your detailing interest lies in taking paintwork finishes to another level, then a more serious machine would be suited.
Enter the rotary buffer.
Weighing a solid 2-3 kilogrammes, in the hands of an experienced and skilled detailer, a rotary buffer can effectively remove most paintwork imperfections.
It requires a significant amount of time to master and strong hands to wield as the torque has to be kept under control during the paintwork correction process.
Depending on the build quality, components and variable speed functions, prices can range from a couple of hundreds for a basic Hitachi two-speed rotary (which doesn’t allow variable control) to a shade below RM900 for the capable Makita 9227C all the way to the lighter Mirka or Flex units.
The Mirka or Flex units costs below RM2,000 excluding the cost of wool/foam pads, flexible backing plates and other accessories.
We’ll be sharing more on the polishing techniques using machines in the next article.
> For more information, check out www.autodetailer.co