Buying a car buffer is like buying any other type of equipment – you have to first identify what you need it to do, then you have to choose the product/tool that will best meet your needs. In the case of a car polisher/buffer, there are three main types: Dual Action / DA, Orbital or Random Orbital and Rotary Car Buffers.
Our Choice
Porter-Cable 7424XP
Some highlights of this affordable DA car polisher include a powerful 4.5 Amp / 500 Watt AC motor, a handy detachable left or right-side handle, and a comparatively light weight of just 5.5 lbs. If you’re looking for a durable DA random orbital car buffer that won’t break the bank, then the Porter-Cable deserves a look. It might not be the fanciest car polisher on the market, but the great price and warranty make it hard to beat.
Runner Up
Meguiar’s MT300 Pro
Meguiar’s is one of the oldest names in car care products, so you can imagine that they would know a thing-or-two about making car buffers. Naturally, their MT300 Pro DA Polisher features a number of innovations that make it the perfect tool for both novices and professionals alike.
Best Value
Flex XC3401VRG
When it comes to a commercial grade positive drive DA orbital car buffer, the Flex XC3401 DA Orbital Polisher is hard to beat. It’s designed and built in Germany, so the build quality and ergonomics are exceptional. The 590 Watt motor provides more than enough power to tackle deep paint corrections or delicate finishing work. And it’s got a ton of innovative features that make it ideal for production detailing.
Each one can perform different tasks, depending on the skill level of the user. A DA car buffer can save the average do-it-yourself’er a lot of time and aggravation when it comes to buffing out the paint and applying a coat of wax. While a more advanced orbital or rotary car buffer can provide a necessary advantage for professional car detailers, and those in the body repair field. But if you don’t really know how to use one, a car buffer can cause serious damage to your vehicle’s paint. This is why it’s important to choose the best car buffer for your skill level and the intended job.
So let’s look at the best available car polishers, that way you can figure out which one is right for you.
Best Car Buffers / Polishers you can buy today
1Porter-Cable 7424XP Dual Action Random Orbital Polisher
- Some highlights of this affordable DA car polisher include a powerful 4.5 Amp / 500 Watt AC motor, a handy detachable left or right-side handle, and a comparatively light weight of just 5.5 lbs.
- If you’re looking for a durable DA random orbital car buffer that won’t break the bank, then the Porter-Cable deserves a look. It might not be the fanciest car polisher on the market, but the great price and warranty make it hard to beat.
Designed to be both lightweight and powerful, this 6-inch random orbital polisher is ideally suited for the professional detailer, as well as the weekend warrior. It features a small body for better maneuverability, and the removable handle makes it easy to place the machine exactly where you want it. That handle can also placed on the left or right side, making it easy to control this great car buffer, no matter which hand you favor.
To control the speed of the buffer head, the 6” DA polisher uses an on/off switch on top of the machine, instead of a trigger mounted underneath. In order to set the OPM’s, you have to turn the 6-position speed dial, located toward the end of the body, near the power cord. A speed control trigger would probably be preferred by more experienced users. But overall, this car buffer performs well enough to be forgiven for its imprecise speed control.
On the inside, the 7424XP model is made with durable ball bearings and roller bearings, which allows this car polisher can withstand the rigors of production detailing without skipping a beat. Behind the standard 6-inch polishing pad is a special counterweight system that causes the oscillations, and prevents the machine from burning through the paint if too much pressure is applied. The pad can be switched out for different sized backing plates and 5/16 – 24 spindle thread accessories. However, you will have to swap out the counter weight if the diameter is smaller than 6-inches.
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2Griot’s Garage 10813 STDCRD DA Orbital Polisher
Runner Up
- This dual action random orbital car buffer is designed to give you the power to perform light paint correction and polishing, while eliminating the possibility of paint burn (i.e. scrubbing right through the paint).
- It perfectly fulfills its mission, yet it offers more than enough power for professional detailers to use it for finishing work. It’s not the cheapest DA buffer/polisher on the market, but it’s one of the highest rated for customer satisfaction.
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3Meguiar’s MT300 Pro Most Innovated PRO DA Polisher
Best Value
- Meguiar’s is one of the oldest names in car care products, so you can imagine that they would know a thing-or-two about making car buffers.
- Naturally, their MT300 Pro DA Polisher features a number of innovations that make it the perfect tool for both novices and professionals alike.
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4Flex XC3401VRG Rotaty-Orbital Polisher
Honorable Mention
- When it comes to a commercial grade positive drive DA orbital car buffer, the Flex XC3401 DA Orbital Polisher is hard to beat. It’s designed and built in Germany, so the build quality and ergonomics are exceptional.
- The 590 Watt motor provides more than enough power to tackle deep paint corrections or delicate finishing work. And it’s got a ton of innovative features that make it ideal for production detailing.
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5TORQ BUF503 Best TORQ Orbital Buffer
- With a powerful motor and reasonable price, this random orbital car buffer is the ideal machine for people who want to get a lot done, in a short amount of time.
- With the standard 5-inch hook & loop backing plate, it can be used to compound, polish and wax large areas in a hurry. And you can order a 3“ backing plate to tackle smaller jobs like headlights and bumpers.
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6TORQ BUF502X (TORQ22D) Advanced Random Orbital Polisher
- The Torq 22D is one of the more advanced random orbital car buffers on the market.
- It features a number of innovations that make the machine easy for both professional and knowledge to use.
- There’s a powerful 900 Watt motor, with a broad 22mm throw to help you cover more area, in a shorter amount of time.
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7Ingersoll-Rand 314A Air-powered Pneumatic Angled Buffer
- The pneumatic polisher by the reputable company Ingersoll Rand is one of the most interesting choices amongst competitors.
- It offers a powerful and reliable motor, along with a compelling modern design with lightweight, but resistant materials for an easy and hassle-free polishing experience.
- This high-quality product from a reliable brand is the answers to people seeking for options to take their polishing experience to another level.
- Would be this polisher by Ingersoll Rand the best option to most people? Absolutely.
Solid built-quality and protection for long life use.
Variable speed 1,200 to 2,500 rpm.
Air compressed rotation.
7-inch angular polisher convenient for many surfaces.
Lightweight and ergonomic design for extensive uses.
Little problem just when over oiling it.
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8Rupes LHR21ES (Big Foot) Long Throw DA Random Orbit Polisher
- Long throw DA car polishers are designed to correct large amounts of paint damage, in shorter amounts of time. By extending the orbit of the car buffer head, more swirls, scratches, holograms, oxidation, and other imperfections can be cleared away in a single pass.
- The Rupes Big Foot car polisher is one of those long reach polishers, and it has a number of features that are sure to please both weekends warriors, and professional detailers.
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9Shurhold 3500 Professional Grade Dual Action Polisher
- A dual action polisher can help you to achieve perfect finishing on your car’s surface without causing any burn or swirl signs. However, the desired results can only be achieved if you are using the superior quality one that comes with high specs. There are numerous dual action polishers available in the market but not all of them can give you the results you would like to achieve. Thus, getting your hands on the best of the lot can prove to be a daunting task.
- The 3500 Professional Grade Dual Action Polisher by Shurhold may turn out to be the best one for you due to its premium functionality.
Smooth finishing due to increased size and easy control
No chance of oxidation .
Burns and swirls free even at high OPS .
Multiple thumb-controlled speed options .
Available at reasonable rates that wouldn’t burn a hole in your pockets.
Pads are different than that of other models. Therefore, users of other models might have difficulty in adjusting.
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10DEWALT DWP849X Variable Speed Polisher
- When it comes a professional grade rotary car buffer, the Dewalt DWP 849X variable speed polisher is hard to beat. This DeWalt rotary polisher has been around for many years, and this latest generation features a number of significant improvements that make this machine both easier to use, and more durable.
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11Rupes LHR 21 Mark II Random Orbital Polisher (2nd generation)
- Less overall weight, comparing to the first generation (4.96 lbs – Rupes LHR 21 MarkII Big Foot vs. 5.73 lbs – Rupes LHR 21ES Big Foot), better machine balance, and less fatigue inducing vibrations.
- Fortunately, they did keep the soft start function, which gradually increases the speed when you turn the machine on, or select a higher speed. Put all this together, and you have a high quality car polisher that will help you handle almost any job, faster.
Rupes (pronounced Rup – Ez) has been making high quality, ergonomically correct tools since 1947. They study how the tool is used, and come up with new ways to improve the amount of work being done, while reducing user fatigue.
Their first generation long throw Rupes LHR21ES Big Foot DA Polisher had an extremely wide 21 mm orbit that allowed a user to cover a large amount of surface area, in a short amount of time. The much improved second generation Rupes LHR21 Mk2 car polisher has the same long reach as the original, but it features a number of improvements that are sure to please both professional and novices alike.
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12Rupes LHR75E Mini Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher
- If you’re a professional car detailer, or you like to maintain your vehicles, you are probably going to run into situations where a full-size DA car buffer is just too big for the job. Whether it’s a bumper, intricate grill, motorcycle forks, or the inside curve of a classic car fender, sometimes you just need a 3 – 4 inch random orbital car polisher. For these situations, the Rupes LHR 75E Mini is ideal. It’s part of the Rupes Big Foot line of car buffers, which means it has a long orbital throw. In this case, 12 mm.
- And it has a powerful 400 Watt motor that can power through almost any type of job.
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13Griot’s Garage BG21 (THE BOSS) Long-Throw Orbital Car Buffer
A long throw forced rotation orbital polisher is designed to remove a large amount of surface imperfections, in a small amount of time. They are intended for professional detailers, because the positive rotation mechanism won’t stop the head from spinning if you push down too hard.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can burn right through the paint. But if you have some experience using a DA orbital polisher, then you’ll love just how fast one of these machines can help you get work done.
One such work elimination device is the Griots Garage G21 Orbital Polisher. And it’s packed with features that are sure to make your workday go a lot smoother.
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Why do you need a car buffer?
Save time waxing your vehicle
If you’ve ever waxed a car by hand, then you know what a time consuming and labor intensive process it can be. A car buffer can significantly reduce the amount of time and effort that it takes, while helping you to achieve a much deeper finish.
Remove deep scratches
With the right pad, a high speed car buffer can smooth out a scratch, by cutting down the layers of clear coat and/or paint around it. Achieving a smooth paint surface takes experience, along with the right combination of chemicals and pads.
Restore faded paint
If your paint looks old and faded, using a high-speed car buffer to apply a rubbing compound can often cut through the oxidation. Then you can apply a polish and wax to restore the shine. It takes a bit of experience to do this, and you can’t always achieve a perfect, ‘showroom’ finish. But with a bit of practice, you can make a faded paint job look a whole lot better.
Start a car detailing business
Having a small-to-midsize car professionally detailed can cost anywhere from $50-$250. It takes skill and extreme attention to detail to be successful as a professional car detailer. But if you’re the sort of perfectionist that enjoys cleaning things, then some marketing savvy and the right car buffer could make you some extra money.
For the most part, car buffers can be used to apply the following
- Compounds: These are abrasives that are used to remove defects from the paint, like scratches, scuff marks and oxidation
- Polishes: This is what actually creates the high-gloss shine
- Wax: Car wax is a sealant, which protects your paint from the elements
The manner in which you use these products will determine the outcome. For example, if you want to restore a faded paint job, working with a mild rubbing compound and polish can restore that lost shine. While, professional body repairmen can use a stronger compound to finish-off after wet sanding a new paint job. But you need the best car buffer to get the desired result. So let’s look at how to choose the right one for you.
Types of car buffers
There are three main types of car buffers on the market today. Each type is capable of different jobs, depending on how experienced the user is. A complete novice for example, can pickup a DA car buffer and do a nice job of waxing their car on a Saturday morning. While an experienced user or professional detailer can completely restore an oxidized paint job using the same machine.
Dual Action (DA) Car Buffer
A DA/Dual Action car buffer gets its name from the way the buffer head moves. Turn it on, and you’ll notice that the head not only spins around, but it also oscillates out from the center as it spins. This movement allows the DA car polisher to create small circles inside of a much larger circle, which alleviates heat and friction buildup between the buffer and the paint. As a result, this type of buffer will easily remove swirl marks and create an error-free finish.
There are two types of DA / Dual Action car buffers: the Random Orbital car buffer and the positive drive Orbital car buffer.
Random Orbital Car Buffer
The biggest advantage of a random orbital DA car buffer is that it won’t burn the paint, no matter how hard you press down on it. It uses a free rotating spindle mechanism inside of the head, which has a counterweight to create the oscillating motion. If you push down too hard, that counterweight won’t be able to spin, and the head will stop. Naturally, this is the ideal type of car polisher for inexperienced users.
Orbital Car Buffer
By contrast, a positive drive car polisher ditches the counterweight system for a gear-driven setup. This means that the head will continue to spin and vibrate/oscillate when you apply too much pressure. When used incorrectly, this type of car polisher can damage the paint. But in the right hands, the positive-drive DA car buffer will create a mirror-like finish that will last for a very long time.
Rotary Car Buffer
Unlike a dual action buffer, a rotary car buffer only spins in one direction. As the rotary polisher head spins, it creates heat/friction, which is often referred to as ‘cut’. The head is connected directly to the motor, which is called a ‘direct drive’ setup. This allows the rotary car polisher to spin much faster than a DA polisher, and experienced users can use this extra power to remove more paint layers, resulting in a much deeper finish. Professional body repair technicians often use this type of buffer to get rid of deep scratches and wet sanding marks after a fresh paint job is applied.
Forced Rotation Orbital Buffer vs Random Orbital Buffer vs Rotary Buffer
Let’s take a look at the Pros & Cons of these 3 types of car buffers.
Random Orbital Dual Action Buffer
Pros
- Affordable – Random orbital car polishers are available from most websites, discount and auto part stores, with prices ranging from $50-$100.
- Easy to use – Simply attach the desired buffing pad and turn it on.
- Safe to use – Because of the integrated counterweight mechanism, this type of car buffer won’t ‘burn’ through the paint.
Cons
- Not as powerful as a rotary buffer – Due its design, a random orbital DA car polisher won’t have as much ‘spinning power’ as a direct-drive rotary car buffer
What it’s good for
- Applying wax
- Polishing paint
- Mild paint correction
Forced Rotation Orbital Buffer
Pros
- More powerful – The gear driven orbital mechanism is able to rotate and oscillate at a much higher, and more constant speed.
- Able to accomplish more difficult levels of paint correction – Because of the extra power and constant motion, a forced rotation DA car polisher can remove deeper scratches and other paint damage.
- Ideal for commercial use.
Cons
- Can damage finish in the wrong hands – Due to the gear-driven design, this type of orbital car polisher will not stop spinning when too much pressure is applied
- More expensive
What it’s good for
- Remove deep scratches, water spots and swirls
- Polishing
- Wax
- Restoring paint finish
- Professional detailing business
Rotary Buffer
Pros
- Extreme cutting capability – When combined with the right cutting pad and compound, the heat and friction from the spinning head will allow an experienced user to cut through blemishes in the paint to create a smooth, high-gloss finish
- Flexibility – In then right hands, a rotary buffer can be used for everything from detailing, to paint finishing and restoration
- Ideal for commercial use
Cons
- Can easily damage paint in the wrong hands
- Typically more expensive than an orbital car polisher
What it’s good for
- Removing deep scratches and other paint imperfections
- Finish work after a paint job
- Polishing
- Restoring paint finish
- Professional detailing business
What to consider when choosing a car buffer?
Here are some things that you need to take into consideration when choosing a new car buffer:
What do you plan to do with it?
Choosing the right tool for the job is an important consideration when it come to choosing the right car buffer. For example, if you just want to take the hassle out of waxing your car, then a random orbital dual action car polisher would be ideal. Whereas, if you’ve got some experience and you want the ability to perform paint correction and polishing, then a forced rotation orbital car buffer might be right for you. And if you already know what you’re doing, and you want a tool that can ‘do it all’, then a good quality rotary car buffer would be the obvious choice.
Power
High speed car buffers can either run on electricity or compressed air. The motor power rating in an electric car buffing machine is usually measured in Amps. And while it can be plugged into any electrical socket, this type of buffer can weigh more than a pneumatic car buffer. You’ll need a strong air compressor to run a pneumatic rotary car buffer, or pneumatic DA buffer at full power. However, the simple design of pneumatic car buffers make them easier to maintain.
Speed control
To achieve the perfect finish, your buffer has to be spinning at the right RPM. For paint correction, heavier cutting happens in the range of 2000-2500 RPM, while polishing and buffing are done around 1100-1800 RPM. A good quality car buffer will let you control the speed with a trigger or switch. Variable speed polishers typically have a low/high switch and/or trigger. While professional orbital car buffers / rotary buffers will let you adjust the exact speed with a trigger. If ultimate control is important to you, then look for one with a speed control function that allows you to lock in the RPMs with a switch or dial.
Head size
Most car buffers are categorized by the diameter of the buffing head. (i.e. 6-inch, 7-inch etc.). Obviously, the bigger the head, the more surface area you’ll be able to cover at a time. However, a smaller head will allow you to get into tighter areas.
DA throw
If you’re in the market for a DA car polisher, then the “throw” will be an important consideration. Basically, this is a measure of how far the head oscillates from the center axis. The higher the throw, the more area you’ll be able to cover. However, a smaller DA throw rating can often mean that more power will be concentrated in the head, which will allow for more flexibility in paint correction.
Ergonomics
Being able to control the car buffer is important to achieving the right finish. It’s easy to burn through the paint if you’re not in control, so make sure that you’re comfortable holding and operating it. Pay attention to the weight, the handles, and the buttons. Everybody is different, and what’s comfortable for one person, might not be comfortable for another.
How to wax a car with a buffer?
Step 1: Wash the vehicle
A high speed car buffer is designed to cut through layers of paint and clear coat to reveal a shinny surface, or smooth out a scratch. If you apply the rotational force of a polisher to a painted surface that’s covered with dirt, dust and debris, all of those contaminants will get ground into the paint and cause even more damage. So use a good car wash soap or mild, non-abrasive dish soap to clean the vehicle. Then, dry the vehicle thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel.
Step 2: Choose the right buffing pad for the job
The most common types of car buffer pads are foam and wool. Wool pads are typically more aggressive, because they can ‘cut’ through more layers of paint, in a short amount of time. Experienced users often use this type of pad with a cutting compound to perform paint correction. Lambs wool car buffer pads can be used for finishing work (polishing, waxing), because they naturally contain an oil called ‘lanolin’, which helps to reduce heat and friction between the buffer and the paint. However, genuine lambs wool car polisher pads are more expensive, and they have to be cleaned properly, in order to prevent the pad from degrading.
Foam car buffer pads aren’t considered to be as aggressive as wool pads, but they do generate a lot more heat. An open cell foam buffer pad can be used for light cutting work, and they can do a nice job of removing light scratches when used with the right compound. A closed cell foam pad, or one with a dimpled or waffle surface, tend to generate the least heat. Making them ideal for polishing and waxing. The measuring term for foam cells/pores is ‘PPI’, or Pores Per Inch.
Note: Never use the same pad to apply different chemicals. If you’re done compounding, switch pads before you start polishing. Otherwise you can cause serious paint damage.
Step 3: Getting started
With the buffer’s cord/air line over your shoulder (to keep it from getting tangled in the spinning head), apply some compound or polish to the buffer pad, then lay the machine on the surface and turn it on (this is the best way to avoid ‘splatter’). Set the RPM at the appropriate speed for the job and begin buffing. Heavy cutting / paint correction is usually done at around 2000-2500 RPM, while polishing and finishing work is done at around 1100-1800 RPM.
Note: Before you begin polishing or compounding, it’s a good idea to tape off any trim or glass that may come in contact with the chemicals. Otherwise, the plastic and glass can become discolored.
Step 4: Movement
Move the car buffer back and forth over the chosen panel, in a smooth, fluid motion. Overlap each of the buffer passes, to make sure that you’ve covered the entire area. Never leave the car buffing machine in one spot for too long. Otherwise, the heat and chemicals will burn through the paint. When you encounter a crease or body line, move the buffer over the line, in the same direction as the buffer head spins (to the left or right). Then do the other side of the line in the same way.
Note: You should apply medium pressure to the polisher as you begin, then lighten the pressure as the compound/polish/wax starts to dry
Step 5
Once the chemical that you’re working with starts to dry: stop buffing, grab a clean microfiber towel and wipe it off. Look at your work and decide if you need to go over the panel again, or move on to the next.
After you’ve finished buffing the vehicle, thoroughly clean your buffing pads. That way they’ll be in good condition for the next time.