You invested in your car. You want it looking its best. That’s why you deserve the best car buffer kit on the market. Whether you have any prior experience polishing or buffing out the finish of your car, it’s the equipment that matters most.
At least in the beginning. From seasoned professional auto body detailers to first-time weekend do-it-yourself warriors, the right car buffer kit makes all the difference.
When talking about the car buffers, it’s about quality, durability, and ease of use. The more often you use a buffer, waxer, or polishing kit, the more important durability becomes. Yet, it’s also critical to remember that comfort and design will play an important role, too.
When you’re applying a polish or finishing wax to your vehicle’s paint job, you want to make sure the tools you use will do the job properly and that your hands, wrists, and arms won’t wear out, either.
There are several auto buffer kits to choose from and we reviewed the best five you will find on the market today. When you have the right tool in your garage, it will not only be more exciting to get out there and bring out the best shine in your vehicle, it will also be a lot more fun.
Best Car Buffer/Polisher Kits
1Meguiars Flex 3401 Ultra Polish Kit
Best Overall
- When you want to get started right away, jump right out of the gate and have everything ready for you in one place, the Meguiars Flex 3401 is the perfect way to go.
- One of the most complete arsenals you will find when it comes to complete car buffing kits, you’ll be able to refine your finish and bring out the pristine shine of your car time and time again.
In the Meguiars Flex you will find several different polishing pads as well as a glaze and an ultra cut compound. This is essentially everything you will need to buff your car to a pristine shine. With this fully loaded car buffing kit, there’s nothing else you need to bring out the luster and gorgeous finish of your car.
You get the buffer or dual action polisher along with the ultra cut compound mirror glaze. You also have a number of cutting pads and microfiber detailing cloths included in this kit. What’s even better is you get the perfect finishing polish to go along with everything. There’s nothing else you need. That makes this one of the premier ultra polishing car buffer kits on the market today.
This polishing kit is considered quite safe and easy to use.
Everything you need to bring your car to a glorious shine is included in this kit.
The buffer is lightweight, making it easy to use and the pads are simple to replace.
Some people may balk at the price for this car buffer kit, but when you consider that everything is included in it, it is worth the investment.
It may be necessary to apply extra pressure on some areas because of its lightweight design.
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2Porter Cable 7424XP Complete Detailing Kit with Pads
Runner Up
- When you want to get a leg up on the competition, or at least your neighbor’s cars and the way they look great all the time, you won’t do much better than with this DA Polisher kit.
- This has everything you need in one, complete package. What’s even better is the price. Priced for the average weekend car enthusiast, you get 500 watts of power that will effectively remove swirl marks and paint scratches while bringing your car’s finish to a glorious polished shine.
Built by Porter and Cable, the Chemical Guys complete car buffing kit offers variable speeds, which is perfect for many different tasks. You can choose to work out some stubborn scratches or blemishes in your car’s finish or focus more on applying wax to bring out its pristine sheen.
It is considered a safe and easy product to use, which is great for those who have very little prior experience with auto detailing. The last thing you want is to cause damage to your vehicle’s finish with the wrong tools.
It is compact and easy to use and comfortable to hold.
The pads that are included in this auto buffer kit do a smooth job of evenly distributing the compounds.
You don’t have to have any experience as an auto detailer to make the most out of this car polisher.
When used at higher speed settings, the vibration is more noticeable.
You may be a bit disappointed with the cleaner and conditioner spray bottles that are included in this kit.
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3Avid Power AEP127 Dual Action Random Orbital Car Buffer
Best Value
- A versatile, variable speed dual action car buffer that comes loaded with three foam pads is the Avid Power Polisher and Waxer.
- There are six individual speed settings, which is ideal for tackling a number of different projects, including removing scratches and other blemishes from the car’s finish.
- For tackling basic waxing and buffing, utilizing Avid’s lower speed setting at 1,500 OPMs (orbits per minute) provides the perfect balance. When focusing on tackling paint defects or even removing oxidation from the surface, the 6,800 OPM setting provides a powerful boost.
The detachable D-handle provides an optimal grip to apply more pressure for certain applications. It also allows for safer operation at lower OPMs as well as higher. When talking about car buffing, the Avid Power Polisher and Waxer is safe and easy to use. The simple on/off button provides a slow and steady start so you can get your grip right and avoid any potential mishaps.
Smooth transition from 1500 OPM to 6800 OPM.
It offers random orbital motion, more closely resembling hand action for applying wax and other finishes.
Comes complete with three foam pads, detachable D-handle, and one foam disk.
Can be considered a bit noisy, especially at higher OPMs.
There is the potential to wear out pads more quickly, depending on use.
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4Torq BUF505X TORQ15DA Long-Throw Random Orbital Polisher Kit
Honorable Mention
- Boasting a 15 mm throw, the Torq Random Orbital Polisher Kit comes complete with everything needed for car buffing jobs.
- Priced right, the Torq is an affordable, easy to use car buffing machine and kit that will help to remove scratches, swirls, and other defects from the paint surface.
- Some of the built-in safety features minimize the risk of burning the paint, which is incredibly important when it comes to auto detailing. The 900 watt motor offers plenty of power to get through difficult, stubborn blemishes and bring the car’s finish to a wonderful shine.
While many seasoned auto detailing experts may prefer something a little different, the Torq name still delivers great power, control, and versatility. When it comes to a car buffing kit, the 15 mm long throw provides great dual action orbital power that most closely resembles human hand motions.
That makes this particular car buffing kit a good addition for any auto enthusiast who wish to enjoy a lustrous shine in the finish of their vehicles.
Considered extremely easy to use, the Torq is a favorite among beginning auto detailing enthusiast.
Once the right technique is mastered, the results are stellar.
It is durable and built incredibly well.
Some tasks may be limited based on minimal cutting power.
Can be considered less valuable for the money based on other selections.
Is considered noisy, especially at higher OPMs.
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5TORQX BUF_503X Random Polisher with Pads, Polishes & Compounds
- When you want a car buffer that is easy to use, durable, and affordable, you will come across the Chemical Guys TORQX. This is perfect for the weekend warrior. For those who want one kit that can handle just about every auto detailing job, this is it.
- It has a solid motor with plenty of power to deliver the precise motion and strength needed to handle even the most stubborn blemishes.
- The dual action motion and 8 mm throw is a popular choice among professionals as well as more seasoned enthusiast.
When you want a car buffing kit that is easy to use, durable, and affordable, you will come across the Chemical Guys TORQX Random Polisher Kit. This is perfect for the weekend warrior. For those who want one kit that can handle just about every auto detailing job, this is it.
It has a solid motor with plenty of power to deliver the precise motion and strength needed to handle even the most stubborn blemishes. The dual action motion and 8 mm throw is a popular choice among professionals as well as more seasoned enthusiast.
This one is simple and easy to use, so it’s perfect for beginners.
When using the right technique, it can provide exceptional results for finishing, polishing, and waxing.
The Chemical Guys name is synonymous with durability.
Due to the limited power (wattage) it may not have enough for certain cutting operations.
It can be considered by some to be relatively noisy.
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Buyer’s Guide
When you’re in the market for a car buffing kit, you’ll discover quickly there are plenty of options available. For most people who have no prior experience purchasing a car buffer, the list of options, power ratings, and even cost can be quite confusing.
The first step is to understand exactly what is available with most car polishing kits. This is more than just about cleaning or even waxing your vehicle. Yes, waxing is an important part of maintaining your vehicle and keeping it looking its best, but you also need to understand the importance and value of buffing out scratches, avoiding holographic blemishes in the surface, and the risks involved in burning that surface.
Some Key Benefits to Buffing Your Car
Most auto enthusiasts already understand buffing and waxing is a valuable asset that helps to maintain a car’s finish for many years. However, beginners might not fully comprehend and grasp the importance of choosing the right car polisher for their specific needs.
First, buffing and polishing helps to restore the finish and color of a car. This helps to make a car look like new once again. It’s important to understand, though, that depending on age, oxidation, and other factors, it may not be possible to completely restore a car’s finish to ‘like new’ condition.
Second, scratches are part of daily life for cars today. No matter how safe one is and how they park their car, where they put it, if they garage it or cover it, or let it sit out under the elements, scratches are a simple matter of life. Polishing and buffing helps to clear up those scratches and make them appear as though they are completely gone.
Third, a car simply getting water on it can experience blemishes over time. Whether it’s chlorinated city water, from a well, or rainwater, there are plenty of materials in water that can affect the finish. Buffing, polishing, and waxing helps to restore the finish of a vehicle over time.
Different Types of Car Polishers
There are several different types of car buffing machines out there. You have your standard orbit polisher, rotary polisher, random orbit polisher, and dual action orbit polisher. For those who may be familiar with these terms, it becomes easier to choose the right one for your needs.
A standard orbit polisher offers a circular spin. The machine will follow where your hand moves and it is one of the most common types of car polishers on the market. It is generally easy to use, but doesn’t offer very much benefit.
A rotary polisher spins in a circular motion that is more consistent. It is stronger than a standard polisher, but controlling the device can be extremely difficult. It is more often used by experienced professionals rather than weekend warriors.
A random orbit polisher spins much faster than the standard orbit polisher and still follows regular hand motion. It is best to have some solid experience under your belt before tackling a random orbit polisher.
A dual action orbit polisher rotates and orbits in a fixed pattern, which is consistent. This most closely resembles the natural hand motion when applying wax. This may require more physical effort to polish a car properly, but these tend to be the most consistent as far as quality results for weekend auto enthusiasts.
Do you have to be concerned about vibration?
Some car buffing machines will vibrate more than others. The higher vibration can become uncomfortable and there is potential that it could affect the car’s finish. That’s why it’s best to choose one that balances the vibration with exceptional, quality results.
Are purchasing a car buffing kits really that important?
When it comes to car polisher kits, most of these will come with everything needed to help a vehicle look and shine its best. There’s no need to go out and buy polishing compounds and extra pads for different purposes.
This is optimal for those without a great deal of experience out of the gate, but it is certainly not a necessity. Most beginners, however, find that complete kits offer great benefit and that they can simply open the box and are ready to go and restore their car’s finish to a lustrous shine.
Should one focus on price as their main point?
Price certainly can be a serious concern for many people, but when it comes to a car polishers, that should become secondary. Why? What’s more important, saving a few dollars on a cheaper car buffing kit or the integrity and quality of your vehicle’s finish?
Review the details of each kit and choose one that is going to be best for you, first based on the machine and included compounds and pads and then, secondly, on price.
Conclusion
Overall, a car polisher with pads, backing plate and additional accessories is a great addition to an auto enthusiast’s garage. Even for those who have no prior experience detailing their vehicle, the best car buffing kit should include everything needed to get started and producing incredible results right away.
Stepping back and appreciating the incredible shine of your vehicle, especially when it looks like new once again, is a great feeling. That’s precisely what you should be able to enjoy with any of the auto buffer kits listed in this review.
