There are three different types of polishing and buffing machines:

• Orbital Polishers/Waxers
• Dual-Action Polishers
• Rotary Buffers

Dual-Action Polishers and Orbital Polisher/Waxers

The motors and drive units on these two types of polisher's oscillate in an eccentric circular motion or a figure-eight motion.  Due to the random or semi-random motion of these machines, they are much safer to the paint because it's nearly impossible to generate enough heat to cause paint burns or wear through the paint.  In most cases, if too much pressure is applied the oscillating action on the polishing pad will stop and the energy will be transmitted back to the tool operator as excessive vibration.

Oscillating machines have a second benefit.  Because the tool head does not rotate in a direct circle, they will not create the dreaded buffer swirls or holograms in your paint finish like a rotary buffer can.  This safety feature makes these machines highly popular with car enthusiasts like the idea of machine polishing, but at the same time are concerned about burning or inflicting swirls into their car's paint finish.

Here at Autopia Car Care, our favorite polisher is the Ultimate Detailing Machine.  Here's why:

• Uncomplicated - Simply attach buffing pad, plug in, turn on, and start polishing or waxing.
• Versatile - Can be used for cleaning, polishing, and applying waxes.
• Easier - Takes the difficult labor out of the process (the machine does the work, all you do is guide it!).
• Faster - What would take all day by hand can be done in minutes by machine.
• Thorough - Creates a more uniform, higher gloss finish than your hands.
• Better Protection - Pushes protective waxes into the microscopic pore far better than your hands.

In recent years, the Ultimate Detailing Machine by Porter Cable car polisher design has become the machine of choice over the older style Orbital Polisher/Waxers for a number of tangible reasons:

• Their small size and light weight makes them easy for anyone to use.
• They are easy to control and require no previous experience or skill to use correctly.
• The horizontal design and smaller size allows you to work on small panels and tight areas easier with better control.
• A wide range of options for polishing pads and buffing bonnets.
• Velcro® interface makes changing pads fast and easy.

Rotary Buffers

Rotary buffers are drastically different in the way they work compared to Dual-Action Polishers and Orbital Polisher/Waxers.  Unlike an oscillating machine, the drive unit used in a rotary buffer is direct. What this means is the tool head is driven directly off the electric motor, giving a high-powerful rotating motion. The benefit of this type of machine is that it can do a lot of heavy polishing work very quickly. By heavy polishing work, we mean that the rotary buffer will remove paint to restore a damaged finish.  While Autopia Car Care understands the average person doesn't want to remove precious paint from their car's finish, it is necessary in order to create a high gloss, defect-free finish.  In such cases, we recommend seeking the advise of a professional.

Before the era of clear coat finishes, when traditional paints, like lacquers and enamels were used, the average car owner could detail their car by hand and get really good results. This is no longer true.  The modern car finish uses a catalyzed (hardened) top coat (color or clear) that is impossible to polish by hand.  Modern paint finishes require special polishing pads and chemicals to remove defects, where prior to 1990 a can of polishing compound, a soft rag and a little elbow grease would get the job done.

Here are a few reasons a dual-action polisher like the Ultimate Detailing Machine is so important:

• A dual-action car polisher is much faster than hand polishing, yet just as safe.
• Machine polishing is much less fatiguing to your hands, arms, and back
• Dual-Action Polishers apply a much thinner coat of polish or wax that's easier to wipe off
• Dual-Action Polishers and Orbital buffers spread polishes and waxes more evenly, for more uniform results.
• A dual-action polisher removes surface defects and oxidation more thoroughly.
• A dual-action polisher is the only effective way to remove swirl marks and bring back full gloss.

For the DAS ScratchBuster Pad or Sonus SFX-1 Swirl and Scratch Remover Pad, use a fine-cut compound like the Sonus SFX-1 Restore Polish  to remove scratch & water spot damage. Use a swirl remover polish to remove heavy swirl marks with your speed setting at 4 to 6 depending on paint hardness and the severity of the defect being removed.

For the DAS SwirlBuster Pad or Sonus SFX-2 Paint Polishing Pad, use a swirl remover polish Ultima Paint Prep Plus Pre-wax Polish, Sonus SFX-2 Enhance Swirl Remover Polish  or Sonus SwirlBuster Polish to remove swirl marks, oxidation and minor insect/bird damage with your speed setting set at 3 to 5 depending on paint hardness and the severity of the defect being removed.

For the DAS Polishing Pad, use with a final finish polish, pre-wax cleaner polish or a liquid cleaner/wax like the Ultima Paint Prep Plus Pre-wax Polish, Sonus Paintwork Cleanser Pre-wax Polish,  Sonus SFX-3 Final Finish Polish or P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion  to maintain full paint gloss and remove very fine swirl marks with your speed set at about 3 on the dial.

For the DAS Wax and Finishing Pad or Sonus SFX-3 Final Finish & Wax Pad, use to apply your favorite liquid wax or paint sealant like the  Sonus Paint Sealant with Polycharger with your speed set at 1 to 3

The machine that causes the fear in working by machine is a rotary buffer and is not recommended for the average person. GOOD NEWS! The dual action polisher is an entirely different story and a very safe machine. It is easier than you think and far more effective than working by hand and unless you use it improperly or swing it around by the cord it is almost impossible to damage your paint with a dual action polisher. We recommend the Ultima Clean, Protect & Preserve Paint with Dual Action Polisher Kit for the new car owner or beginner that wants to learn how to polish out their car. For paint restoration you might take a look at the Sonus SFX Ultimate Detailing Machine instead. It is the same machine but has different pads and stronger polishes included. Both are still very safe and easy to use.

We recommend washing them by hand in cool to lukewarm water with the Sonus Der Wunder Wasche. If they are super dirty you can soak them for 10 minutes then rinse until water runs clear. Squeeze out the excess water and allow to air dry on a plastic drying rack with the Velcro side up so water is not draining and sitting in the Velcro backing. Don’t worry if they don’t look new when you are finished, some staining and wear is normal.