I also use both. I use the air in close quarters or where I am being extra
cautious around edges or tight spaces - because I can feather the throttle
easier to keep the RPM down. My electric is a Black and Decker professional
model, with 825 RPM - I love it for large jobs, but I agree, they are heavy!
For someone who has not been doing this for years, I'd recommend the air
polisher because it is much more forgiving of mistakes, at least the RODAC
unit I use is. A powerful electric buffer can ruin a nice paint job (or a
windshield wiper arm, or a gas door lid) so fast it will make your head
spin at 1000 RPM!
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Kerry Pinkerton <pinkertonk@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 2:35 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Mechanical Paint Buffer Advice (Clay's 1960)
> I have both the electric and air. I prefer the air because it weights
about
> 1/2 as much as the electric, or less.
>
> Other than the weight, Kenyon has nailed the advantages. I can't manage
> holding the electric buffer up all day though or anywhere close to it.
>
> KerryP
> Patch panels fabricated
> Pinkertonk@xxxxxxxxx
> dte.net/57imperial
> Imperials -- 50 Limo, 57 roadster, 61's, 64, 68 Convert, 73, a 66 300 and
a
> bunch of lesser marques
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: kenyon wills <imperialist60@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 12:51 PM
> Subject: Re: IML: Mechanical Paint Buffer Advice (Clay's 1960)
>
>
> > I am a devotee of electric buffers!!!
> >
> > Look into the DeWalt unit. It has a thumwheel that lets you set the RPM
> > and has lots of torque. The air guys will probably have their own
> > reasons, but I like the cord being softer than the air hose and more
> > extendable with extension cords. Draping the cord over my shoulder
beats
> > draping an air hose over my shoulder, etc.
> >
> > The electric unit will work at your buddy's house or the cabin or
wherever
> > and is not tethered to your compressor. Most of the body shops use air
> > because they have it rigged all over the place and its convenient. Most
> > detailers use electric (in my world anyway).
> >
> > The swirl marks are a result of a coarse cut that wasn't polished to the
> > second stage. More time and some practice, and they'll go away. I find
> > that the wax fills the smallest ones in nicely, and I skip the micron
> > sized swirls with a wax application. The finest swirl remover should
> > eliminate what you're seeing on the various polished camaros and
mustangs
> > around town.
> >
> > I mentioned the 3M Hookit pads but did not mention that they take a
> > (bright yellow I think) attachment that threads onto your polisher that
> > has velcro on the base. The Hookit pads just smunch onto the velcro and
> > are terribly easy to swap on and off. They will wear down, and a pair
of
> > the white and a pair of the grey are a good starter package. Photos
> > available upon request, but your auto paint stor should have these sorts
> > of things for you to inspect.
> >
> > See if you can borrow someone else's to try out if you're on the fence
> > about what works best. The best kind of power tool or motor boat to
have
> > is "someone else's".
> >
> >
> > -Kenyon
> >
> >
> > =====
> > Kenyon Wills
> > 6o LeBaron - America's Most Carefully Built Car
> > 73 LeBaron - Long Low & Luxurious
> >
> > San Lorenzo/SF Bay Area
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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> > http://shopping.yahoo.com
> >
> >
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