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Old 05-03-2021, 12:24 PM   #1
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Hillsboro , Oregon
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Drill attachment vs. dedicated polisher

I'm currently using a 2-handled drill with a polishing attachment, but my hand gets really sore after about 20 minutes from trying to control it, and there have been a couple of times that I felt lucky I didn't break my wrist or smack myself in the face. Are dedicated polishers easier to control and use?
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Old 05-03-2021, 12:31 PM   #2
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Yes, much easier. I have two Craftsman 10" buffers that we originally bought to wax & polish a boat. We apply wax by hand, use one polisher with terrycloth cloth cover to do initial buffing of the wax and one with a fuzzy wool cover to do final buffing. Very easy to control, especially if you've ever worked a floor buffer. Works great on AS and cars as well. Need to change terrycloth covers several times for one wax job, so have a bunch on hand.
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Old 05-03-2021, 12:45 PM   #3
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I'd definitely go with a full size polisher. DeWalt DWP849X is a good one.
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Old 05-03-2021, 01:02 PM   #4
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I see that some polishers have a "stick" handle out the side, like my drill does, and some have a curved handle over the top, like a bucket handle. It seems like the bucket handle style would be the easiest. Is that true?
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Old 05-03-2021, 01:33 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Warden Brown View Post
I see that some polishers have a "stick" handle out the side, like my drill does, and some have a curved handle over the top, like a bucket handle. It seems like the bucket handle style would be the easiest. Is that true?
I would definitely go with the bucket handle. We have the Dewalt. It’s easier to rotate when using a buffing pad or an Airway for bar polish. Much easier to control.
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Old 05-03-2021, 03:43 PM   #6
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Have you considered a cordless lithium battery polisher like this Milwaukee M-18 unit?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...9&gclsrc=3p.ds

A little over 12 lbs., and no cord to deal with. Looks like they have a version of the bucket handle, but not sure. There are smaller polishers too.

Lots of great tools in this Milwaukee line, including the smaller battery M-12 line [hot link in blue] like our drill and Skil saw discussed in this thread:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ls-170188.html

Good luck,
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Old 05-04-2021, 09:08 AM   #7
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Hi

With polishing, "less is better". A polisher that can more easily be controlled (and moved on to another area quickly) is by far the better choice.

Bob
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Old 05-04-2021, 09:23 AM   #8
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Old 05-04-2021, 07:16 PM   #9
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If you're going to spend the money, buy a buff pro! You won't get the swirl Mark's from a regular buffer! Are they worth the money, hell yes! You'll get a professional finish. They sell a kit with enough material and buffing drums to do at least two trailers.
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Old 05-05-2021, 08:56 AM   #10
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You can use a drill for small hard to get at areas. For the main polishing, you'll want a dedicated polisher. For the delicate polishing you can use a dremal.

Also, there's more than one way to polish an Airstream. You can use Airway polishing wheels, you can use a wool pad.

There's the Buff Pro that people say work well. It's a drum type polisher. I've never used it, so I can't tell you anything about it.
I would recommend getting on YouTube and look up polishing Airstreams.
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Old 05-05-2021, 09:24 AM   #11
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You can use a drill for small hard to get at areas. For the main polishing, you'll want a dedicated polisher. For the delicate polishing you can use a dremal.
Yep, all of the above will come in handy. Best to use "dedicated" tools because they get filthy! One other tip, I made flannel tubes to put over the tool cords so the cords don't rub & scratch the trailer below where you are working...

Shari
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