Random Orbital Polishers

[Rally Pack 2000]

For years I have just been using a basic rotating cheapy plug in polisher that has variable speed but it can create swirling and burn if you dont keep an eye on it. So was thinking of getting something a bit better now in the way of a Random Orbital Polisher. The pads they take seem to be a bit smaller than the one I have with them being 6in. What's strange is I cant seem to get a firm indication of what the pads for these things cost as is they may be tool specific rather than generic off the shelf 7in pads I get for my old one. So you paint experts out there, what should I be considering when looking at these polishers. Are all the pads simply Velcro mounted or something? Thanks Heaps.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Im guessing no one uses these things then? LOL

[notenoughtime]

Rather than the hard run of the mill pad you prob need to use a waffle pad and a finesse polish 

 

[Rally Pack 2000]

1 hour ago, notenoughtime said:

Rather than the hard run of the mill pad you prob need to use a waffle pad and a finesse polish 

 

Yes I have been doing that but they are really pricey for a dimpled piece of sponge! I can get pretty good results with it and all that but the old style one I have is really heavy and was thinking also of going cordless. I'm just not sure if there is any differences in technique to use one of the random types that seem to take smaller pads.

[Painterman]

Iv got lightweight one the pads are quite cheep. diff colours for how hard they are.5inch pads for big area but i like the 3inch as its bit more practical for small areas.if you want get rid of orange peel get/use denim pad. Its all trial and error same with the diff compounds

[Rally Pack 2000]

7 hours ago, Painterman said:

Iv got lightweight one the pads are quite cheep. diff colours for how hard they are.5inch pads for big area but i like the 3inch as its bit more practical for small areas.if you want get rid of orange peel get/use denim pad. Its all trial and error same with the diff compounds

I use to get great results with various compounds from Auto Glym. They offered course to fine and worked really well. Then they discontinued them all and claimed they had this all in one and its nothing more than a cut polish you buy off the shelf and I haven't been able to replicate the results when I switched to 3M cutting compounds. So I was going to try a different polisher to see if that improved things.

[caprimk1v4]

I use the 3M Trizact compounds, and they have all been fine with me, depends on the paint as well, if it is well cured 2 pack, or clear over base finish, also what the film thickness is before you start to compound the paint.

[DaveF72]

I’m using the  Menzerna product range on waffle pads with a cheap variable speed machine which I rate way better than the 3m range. Easy to use straight out the bottle and doesn’t dry out causing heat build up.