I am looking to buy a new orbital buffer. Can anyone tell me which is the absolute best one to buy whereas money is no issue here because I would like to keep the truck looking its best.

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1997 F-150,XLT, Ext-Cab, 4x4, ORP, 2.5" Straight Pipe Dual Exhaust, Tinted Windows, Clarion CD-Player, Oval Taillght Covers, Carbon Fiber Bug Shield, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, Cobra CB, Mickey Thompson 16x8 Challenger Wheels, 305 70 R16 Goodyear Mud Terrains

 

Porter Cable has a 6 inch "Dual Action" polisher that works pretty well, I've had mine for over 6 years. It can be set up to use foam pads instead of cloth ones, also it doesn't "spin" so there's less chance of burning the paint. You should be able to find it for less than $125.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

cowboy,
If money is no object, just send me a blank cheque, and I can help you ;-)

I would think with the surface area of these trucks, you would want a 10 inch buffer. A previous poster says he uses a 6 inch buffer. I couldn't imagine that.

p.s. How do you like those big tires of yours? I bet your truck looks awesome!

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1998 F-150 XLT 4x4 SC/SB 4.6L, Auto., 3.55LS, TTP, blah, blah, blah
All the info is at http://www.fordf150.net
Now with How-To Articles!

 

I've got a little Black and Decker I bought for about $40 a year or so ago and works great. Interchangeable attachements, etc. I picked it up at an HQ when they were still in business

 

I have a Craftsman orbital that I use ALOT! I even take it to the fire station and we do the trucks with it as it takes WAY too long by hand. I spent the extra $7.00 for the ESP on it and after I had it for a month or so, it fell from the hood of the ambulance and wouldn't work so I took it in to Sears and exchanged it for a new one. (no questions asked) I've even had good luck with their polish. The polisher (I believe it's 10" or 11") sells for about $50 but they have specials sometimes where it comes with a case, extra bonnets, and their polish for the same price.

Also, if you apply any extra pressure (other than the weight of the unit) the bonnet stops spinning and it just vibrates. As to not "burn" the paint.

Best of luck..

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all4chem@aol.com
Y2K XLT Supercab Flareside, Oxford White, Medium Graphite, Captains Chairs, 6-Disc, 5.4L, 3.55LS, Tow Pkg, Block Heater, Sliding Glass, Keyless Entry, 5-Spoke Al Wheels, P235/70R-16 OWL Tires, Clear Corner Lenses, Blue Headlights, Al Striker Plates for the rear door.
Ordered: 01-17-00
Built: 02-23-00
Delivered: 03-13-00

 

Howdy All,

Go with the Porter Cable model number 7424 random orbit polisher
http://www.portercable.com/cgi-bin/p...d&prod_id=7424

You can get them at Coastal Tool for 109.00 plus 5.00 shipping www.coastaltoll.com (1-877-551-8665)

Then purchase the foam pads from meguiar's www.meguiars.com for 24.95 you get two polishing and one finishing pad plus the velcro backing plate with free shipping. Meguiar's sell's the same Porter Cable polisher for 225.00 and thats just for the polisher.

The velcro pads are nice because you can quickly change to a new one without any tools. Nice setup, you can apply wax, polish, or remove swirls in half the time with results not possible by hand.

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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, FOxFO, 5.4L, 4R70W TranZ, 3.55 Limited Slip Rear Axle, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS, Bed Rug, ExTang Saber Tonno, CatchALL Floor Mat's, VentShade Visors, Limo BLaCK Tint'd Windows, PIAA Platinum Super White Headlight Bulbs with XTra Technology, FLoWMaSTer 40 Series MuFF, Mobil 1 5W-30 and Motorcraft 820-S Filter, SuperFReaKiN - FLiPCHiP Cal'd for Regular and Premium FueL,

Soon..............

AiRaID FIPK, Expedition Front and Rear Sway Bars, F-1 HooD, P305/75/R17 BFG KO's, 3" Body LiFT
www.tnugent.com/


[This message has been edited by LoNE WoLF (edited 05-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by LoNE WoLF (edited 05-20-2000).]

 

I was thinking about purchasing a buffer, since I wax often, and am so tired after waxing my truck real thorough. (2 hrs.) not including wash and minor detailing, wheels, tires, ect. Well, I am concerned with leaving swirl marks from the orbital motion and such. I have my eye on a craftsman unit I saw @ Sears. Cost around $50. My paint is Dark Torreador Red Metallic if that matters. What do you guys think?

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98 F150 4x4 ORP 5.4L Super Cab XLT, Loaded. 4" Trailmaster Suspension Lift, 35x12.50x16.5 BFG Mud Terrains, 16.5 x 9.75 Weld Racing Super Single II wheels, Stull Billet Grill and Bumper Insert, Ford Bug Guard, Custom Dual 40 series Flowmaster Exhaust out the back, Airiad FIPK, Super Chip, and a Ford Hitch Cover to top it off!

 

Normally I'd say go with the PC as well, but I have a Craftsman and use it a lot. I've had it for .......about 10 years now. I've used it on cars, trucks, boats, tractors, snowmobiles, ...you get the idea, it is used year round. Nice unit. I've never burned the paint. I've actually started giving them as Christmans presents so I do not have to detail relatives cars anymore 8^).

-jeff b.

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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 Auto, Tow Package, ORP (with the sticker for 2000), Cab Steps, Lariet.
Oxford White/Harvest Gold 2 tone.