I'm in the market for an orbital polisher and it seems like the Porter Cable seems to be the most popular around here. But has anyone used the Dewalt DW849? Does anyone have an opinion on the two?

 

Get the Meguiar's G100. It's the same as the Porter-Cable 7424 but has a lifetime warranty and some detailing accessories from Meguiars.

 

Get the Porter Cable 7336SP - it is the defacto standard. Usually available from Lowes for $109. Alternately, get the PC 7424SP. I like DeWalt tools, but this is one time that PC has them beat.

 

What is the difference between the 7336SP and the 7424?

I dunno, I have always had good luck with Dewalt products. It's a little more expensive than the Porter though. Could the Dewalt be worse?

Thanks.

 

The 7336 is 6", the 7424 is 5" if my memory serves me correctly.

I just looked up the DeWalt you referenced. There is no way you want that thing anywhere near your car!!!!! That is a circular polisher, the type that a body shop would use. The PC polishers are random-orbital and are made for non-pros like us. They are idiot proof and make it almost impossible for you and I to screw up our paint jobs. A circular polisher would allow you to cut the paint right off your car unless you were trained and experienced.

The only thing close to what you are looking for is the DW443, a 6" random orbital sander. Unfortunately, it's not a sander/polisher so it's not really configured for polishing.

 

I've got the DeWalt and I love it, but I really think that they are both equally effective...I only got the DeWalt because I got a great deal on it.

If you're interesting, properautocare.com actually has a kit with the PC and some great supplies and polishes.

 

Guys, I'm completely torn here. I checked out the site frostyrock referenced (looks like autopia) and it seems like they like the dewalt:

http://properautocare.com/dew849profhe.html

But then again, it's listed under the pro section. Do is DavesZ#3 correct? Is the dewalt overkill here?

It seems like the dewalt would be great if you kept the speed low. I dunno- I'm a big dewalt guy.

But this kit looks nice too:

http://autopia-carcare.com/son-daspol-kit.html

Any more advice is greatly appreciated.

 

BTW, I forgot to mention that I'll be using this machine primarily with Zaino.

 

If you're using Zaino, then any machine is overkill. You don't need to "work" Zaino when applying it so putting it on with a machine is a waste of time and money. You'll waste more Zaino trying to wet a 6" foam pad than it takes to do a car by hand with a cotton applicator.

I follow the school of thought that says to prevent swirls, you must minimize the amount of contact with the surface of your paint. That's in washing, drying, waxing and polishing. Why do you want a 3000rpm buffing pad running across your paint needlessly? All it takes is one speck of dirt or dust under it to create a beautiful spirograph-like pattern across the surface.

Zaino is so easy to wipe off by hand, again, the machine would be overkill. It doesn't take a lot of "polishing" to maximize the shine of Zaino so the benefit of a machine really doesn't come into play.

I restate my original objection to the DW849 - it's a circular buffer. Something only a professional should take to a paint surface. If you've been to Autopia, the tool of choice for the amatuer or enthuiast detailer is the PC. Leave the DeWalt's, the Milkaukee's and the Makita's for the pros.

To quote ProperAutoCare's first paragraph on the Professional Circular Polisher page:

These are professional, circular polishers for the advanced enthusiast or professional detailer. These machines can remove paint so they can completely remove surface swirls, paint defects and minor scratches. Circular polishers can create a mirror-like finish not obtainable with other polishers. These are excellent machines for the enthusiast desiring to upgrade from an orbital or dual action machine. If you have never used a machine polisher, we recommend starting with a dual-action polisher like the Porter Cable 7424. Once you've gained a little experience you'll be able to handle these polishers with confidence.

 

Just wanted to mention that I did end up going with the Porter Cable. I don't have anything to compare it to but I'm happy with it. Thanks for all of the advice.

 

Don't know if you've had a chance to try it out yet, but here are some excellent resources regarding the PC:

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14421
http://www.roadfly.com/magazine/7/po..._buffer.1.html
http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/det...1430487&page=1

I highly recommend the pads from TopOfTheLine.com
If you have a beater, practice on that not on your Z

 

Of course he is! Do NOT get a rotary polisher. Experienced pro detailers and body shops use it since it gives better results in the right hands, but those hands aren't easy to develop DACPs are built to be idiot proof since they do not move in a constant circular motion like a rotary. It would be very tough to mess anything up with a DACP.