Just want to know if anyone has run into this problem. I bought an electric buffer over the weekend and it has a 100% terry cloth, lint free cover that is used to buff the wax off. It rotates at 2600 OPM(Osciallations per minute). My uncle says it will leave swirl marks in the clear coat. My question is if I use a new cloth cover everytime and I'm not putting pressure on the buffer and not holding it in one spot will it leave swirlmarks? All replies welcome as I don't want to ruin my clearcoat....THANKS!

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Buy a Porter Cable Random Orbital. Unless you are a pro at a buffer, that thing will cause you a lot of grief.

You'll want to use good pads, try www.autogeek.net for all your needs.

 

+1

 

Yup thats the way to go. You need special foam pads and certain compounds to really to really do a good job with a buffer....and practice.

 

The nice thing about a random orbital, as long as you have good pads and use quality compounds, is that they are almost fool proof. I've usually done everything by hand, but had a shot at using a PC7424 recently. Needless to say, I ordered one this weekend.

It will do a better job than you could ever do by hand, in a fraction of the time.

 

Be careful!!! [8D]

 

Keep using elbow grease. These babies are meant for professionals, and really your clear coat won't shine any better than the product you wax it with. That clear coat will not get any brighter than the way it left the factory.

I'd rather have a "hand job" shining, than a "swirled buff" anyday. It looks terrible all smeared around like that.

 

Well with a random orbital, it is nigh impossible to "burn" your paint like a normal buffer does. Since it uses, as it's name infers, random motion it doesn't stay in one spot long enough to cause intense friction, and thus heat.

And if you have buffing swirls, you obviously applied the material in excess and then, did not remove it properly.

 

How about black then, everything causes swirls on it and I'm about to do my first wax job on mine. I was going to do it by hand and use a micro fiber towel which worked great on the test spot in the back of the car.

 

I too have a black car... A less expensive buffer such as from Wal-Mart, Kmart or Target are good for applying wax and taking it off. But they are not capable of addressing paint issues such as swirls, surface defects, spider webbing and scratches. Not enough torque or rotational speed.

The Porter Cable series of Dual Action (DA's) polishers such as either the 7224 or 7336 are the first step to real paint correction and care over the lifetime of the car. Both can be had at Lowe’s for just over $100.00. Good pads (Different pads for different tasks) can be purchased for cutting, buffing, polishing or final work. These with the proper product such as paint cleaners or different aggressive compounds will still be under $200.00 overall.

With the PC DA's, it is difficult to mare the paint. They are speed adjustable and are random orbital patterns as well. A full detailing of the car for swirls can take you from 5 to 10 hours the first time. Proper preparation is the key. Wash the car, use a tar remover of some WD40 for tar and bugs (Re-wash those areas) and then claying the car. Little to no pressure on the polisher when being used letting it do the work. Some areas can take several tries to get it just how you like it. If after a few passes it is still not where you want it, then you either need to switch to a more aggressive pad or more aggressive compound.

Wash the car again to remove any residue... either use a good filler to assist in the coat or move onto a sealant or wax of your choice...
The right tools WILL remove swirling when used with the right products and proper techniques. If you attempt to use pressure with a standard buffer then you will most likely make things worse.