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wheelerimage · 02-22-2012, 10:12 AM

I'm going to buy a polisher soon and was thinking of starting this thread myself.

I plan to use the buffing wheels and bar as in this video. If you have used this process, what polisher would you recommend? I think the guy in this video is using a Makita, wich is a little cheaper than DeWalt or Milwaukee. From reading this thread, I probably won't buy Harbor freight because I want something more reliable.

So, what do you recommend? Is one brand lighter in weight, but still robust enough to last? Is there a brand that is a better value? Should I get a different polisher for the buffing wheels as opposed to the pads that Perfect Polish sells? Is DeWalt the absolute best or is something else just as good? I'm just want to make an informed decision so that I don't have to buy a second polisher. Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNZepfqL2ow

ALANSD · 02-22-2012, 10:15 AM

I have polished 3 trailers with a harbor freight variable speed buffer. The same one. It still works fine and I am on the 4th trailer with it. The only problem is it was made before the standard 5/8 11 spindle. I have had it for a long time.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-22-2012, 10:31 AM

Dr airstream must be responsible for all those milk tankers I mistake for AS's on the Interstates

.... Great Vid!!

Bob

c_lewis77 · 02-22-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALANSD

I have polished 3 trailers with a harbor freight variable speed buffer. The same one. It still works fine and I am on the 4th trailer with it. The only problem is it was made before the standard 5/8 11 spindle. I have had it for a long time.

I have used the HF on my 34' with no problems either. It still works fine. and like I mentioned earlier it is $49. The new HF polishers have the standard 5/8 11 spindle.
I am finishing the last step with Nuvite S and a Cyclo.

Wheelerimage:
Check out this link from VTS. I polished this way with good success: Polishing Advice
the wool pads available from VTS fit both the DeWalt and HF Polishers and work very well.

Also here from Nuvite:
Nuvite Home Pg

Good Luck!

monah · 02-23-2012, 08:05 AM

@Clifford...I was waiting for this

. "A little experience" is correct but I'm DeWalt all the way, with the 3m pads you referenced. Now....if only I could figure out how to bedazzle my DeWalt (yup...have my own) and become a Nuvite dealer all would be good!!
@Goranson...bummed you bought a Cyclo...we would have let you borrow ours.

Lumatic · 02-23-2012, 08:19 AM

I have a bunch of HF tools. My grinder polisher lasted longer than I thought it would, but did eventually burn up. Got my whole stream polished though, except for the final step which I have a Cyclo. For the $35 or so I paid it was worth it. I look at them as throw away tools. The car buffer did not last at all. You pays your money and takes your chances.

ALANSD · 02-23-2012, 12:42 PM

The guy in that video did a class at one of our N Georgia Rallys. Great to see it getting done in person.

InsideOut · 02-23-2012, 12:54 PM

The guy in this demonstration used the HF polisher...followed with a Cyclo Polisher.

You're right Alan, seeing a live demonstration is always helpful. FWIW, "the guy" in this demo is Mr.InsideOut

Shari

c_lewis77 · 02-23-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

The guy in this demonstration used the HF polisher...followed with a Cyclo Polisher.

You're right Alan, seeing a live demonstration is always helpful. FWIW, "the guy" in this demo is Mr.InsideOut

Shari

great video! makes me want to go and polish some more!
I see why your avatar is so shiny!

monah · 02-23-2012, 02:22 PM

I LOVE my shiny Airstream!!

scotty4040 · 02-24-2012, 04:48 AM

I just got done with the rough cut using a black and Decker 7" buffer that I bought from Amazon. It worked really well. Tons of power and the vari speed is nice. Cost is about $55

r carl · 02-24-2012, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I have a bunch of HF tools. My grinder polisher lasted longer than I thought it would, but did eventually burn up. Got my whole stream polished though, except for the final step which I have a Cyclo. For the $35 or so I paid it was worth it. I look at them as throw away tools. The car buffer did not last at all. You pays your money and takes your chances.

Just as you do when you buy a china st tire.

wheelerimage · 02-24-2012, 08:28 AM

OK. So maybe I changed my mind. I might give Harbor freight a try. Maybe I will take worldinchoas hint and buy the extended warranty. Still way cheaper. I am always looking for bang for my buck. I already bought my Cyclo polisher used off ebay. Thanks for the input everyone!

cuyeda · 08-31-2012, 01:36 AM

So... revisiting this thread while polishing my next project. Finally bought the Dewalt, my Northern Tool became intermittent. When I first used my new Dewalt I noticed a smoother start and stop. I also like the rpm indicator on the variable speed control. Takes the guess work out of just the single digit numbers.

Skip the HF buffer, buy a Dewalt. period.

c_lewis77 · 08-31-2012, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuyeda

So... revisiting this thread while polishing my next project. Finally bought the Dewalt, my Northern Tool became intermittent. When I first used my new Dewalt I noticed a smoother start and stop. I also like the rpm indicator on the variable speed control. Takes the guess work out of just the single digit numbers.

Skip the HF buffer, buy a Dewalt. period.

I dont disagree; dewalt makes fantastic, high quality products. ( btw, the single digits on the hf digital display indicate rpm x 1000).
However, the dewalt is not $40 and both get the job done. If I had more than 1AS i would probably make the investment.
How is the polishing coming out?

aluminitus · 08-31-2012, 07:27 AM

I have burned the motor in my DeWalt out twice on the same trailer in less than 6 months!

purman · 08-31-2012, 08:27 AM

I bought 2 HF polishers. Both Variable speed. One digital read out one not. Both have worked great. For the AS and other projects

cuyeda · 09-01-2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_lewis77

the dewalt is not $40 and both get the job done. If I had more than 1AS i would probably make the investment.
How is the polishing coming out?

Not knocking the HF when it works. I burned my first HF out. Then I thought I would step up a little and bought the Northern Tool, just recently became intermittent. If I had bought the Dewalt the first time out, maybe I would have saved money on the other two buffers. It sucks when your in the middle of a polishing project then have to wait for the new buffer.

c_lewis77 · 09-01-2012, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuyeda

Not knocking the HF when it works. I burned my first HF out. Then I thought I would step up a little and bought the Northern Tool, just recently became intermittent. If I had bought the Dewalt the first time out, maybe I would have saved money on the other two buffers. It sucks when your in the middle of a polishing project then have to wait for the new buffer.

I hear ya, its frustrating dealing with parts or tools problems in the middle of a project.
I bought two hf polishers assumimg they were going to burn up. I used the money i saved and got the cyclo. Now THAT is a great polisher. I use it on the truck too

roadking67 · 09-02-2012, 04:38 PM

Howdy Airstreamers, I'm about to attempt a first time strip n' polish (for both of us) and I need to know where to buy the polishing pads and the gray and pink bars to use with an angle grinder like in the video above. I live on the Canadian prairie and would prefer a local source, but I don't know exactly what to ask for. So what's the preferred nomenclature for them there wheelie buffie things?

Any good source online might also be useful, thanks.

Btw thanks for the video, it's very helpful.