Is this polisher good enough?

So I've been out of the detail game for quite awhile. I've had this polisher for years, but never really used it. I've just been hand waxing over the years. I keep hearing good things about da polishers and was wondering if I need to get one, or if my Milwaukee is good enough. If it is, what pads do you recommend? I have some swirls and light scratches. Thanks.

 

That looks like a very good polisher, but it's not a DA so you need to be very careful you don't burn thru your clearcoat with it. The DAs are pretty much idiot proof as far as being able to damage paint. I would do a lot of practicing with that before I put in to my tundra.
A good DA is probably the way to go for light scratches. There was just a thread about the new G9 from griots at $149 its an exceptional value. Also maybe pick up a used griots GG6 or porter cable unit from someone selling their old polisher @War Machine ?
For light scratches and swirls you should be able to get away with a polish and a few pads. I recommend lake country foam HDO pads, maybe get 3 orange and 3 black, the orange will give a little more cut but not too much and the black will finish down nicely. You could also try buff and shine uro fiber microfiber pads, they can cut and finish decently. Just be sure you get enough pads, a clogged up pad is useless and they can get clogged quickly. Get some lake country snappy clean packets for cleaning them. Take care of the pads and they will last a long time.
For polish I really like carpro essence gloss enhancing polish, meguiars M205, and I hear really really good things about griots BOSS line of polishes and compounds.
If you get M205 you can get some decent cutting, almost like a compound with a certain technique, then finish it off smooth with another technique.
You can also get some red pads for applying waxes and sealants, makes it go much faster.

 

^^^^^^^ WELL SAID

 

Great advice. The high RPMs, free spinning big power motor, and that wool pad could damage his paint in seconds if he isn't used to how it works. I'm not saying it wont work and he can't use it, I'm trying to provide a little education so he or you can take it or leave it. Seems like you'll be a great addition and a sure fit here at tundras.com

 

That looks to be a great machine, and I’m partial to Milwaukee, but it’s a rotary. Like @Pudge said, you can do some big damage really fast with it. Someone who knows what they’re doing can do some great work with it, but I wouldn’t attempt it myself.

A Dual Action polisher doesn’t have that issue. You have to be trying pretty hard to damage your paint with one of those.

 

Well he’s gone now, you happy?

 

Personally I will not use a rotary “buffer” on my truck and I use one weekly here are the shop. If your truck just has minor defects (swirling and light scratches) invest in a quality da (Dual Action) polisher. After I get done with the rotary, a da is what I use to get rid of the swirl marks. Just my .02 but what do I know?

 

Not to derail, but I saw this mobile washer using a dewalt sander outfitted with polishing pads..

 

Damn. I’ve heard of people using grinders also.

 

That's what I was thinking..hahahahaha

 

Thanks Gents! That's just the info I needed. I've heard Toyota's paint is notorious for being soft, so I wanted to make sure not to make a mistake by using the polisher and burning through the paint. I've done it before and when I think about it, I cringe. I saw this new da polisher on harbor freight and was wondering if it would be a good starter unit. Thanks again.

 

That’s the newer version of the one some of us have used. @Pudge probably has more experience than the rest of us do with the Harbor Freight.

 

Grinder? Wait.... Isn't that the dating app you were trying to get me to sign up for?

 

Just trying to help you find a sugar momma.

 

Those are very much just okay. I did my whole truck with one and my arms were dead after. I then got a griots gg6 and did another truck that needed more work, but still did it in less time and fewer passes. So obviously I have one and would not recommend it. While they do work, they are loud, vibrate like crazy, and it takes 2-3 times as many passes as it takes with my griots to get a defect out. I would sink a few more bucks into a porter cable or griots, you'll be happy you did. Even a used machine from someone here would be a better investment than the harbor freight in my opinion. I got mine for about $55 at the time and that still wasn't worth It really, if you catch a sale you can get a porter cable or griots for around 125-150, or less used from someone upgrading, they pop up here now and then for sale or trade.
That said, if you do get the HF model, get a 5" backing plate to put in it. They perform much better with a smaller pad and plate. Lake country backing plates fit them well, you just need to use both crush washers for proper spacing.

 

I picked up a Griot's 6" Random Orbital

150 with a 30.00 rebate

I can not screw my paint up with it but I can make it close to glass.

Pick up some pads. About 4 of them for polishing.

One for waxing

 

A palm sander is da. I'm not saying to use one on your truck, just that most are da.

 

I used to detail years ago, used nothing but NuFinish, still do, and I do it all by hand. Shines great, and last for at least 6 months. Great on clear coat, works on glass as well.
For engines , Dawn Dishwashing liquid, removes all grease and dirt, harms nothing. If don’t hurt ducks covered in oil, it ain’t going to hurt your engine either!
My truck still looks as good as it did the day I got it.
Just sayin. Old school I guess.

 

What he said^^
In addition to that, nowadays a good DA with the right pad and the proper liquid will net the same results a rotary would, without the risk of damaging your paint.

 

Hey fellas. So, I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a G9 and found this combo. Is it a good starting point or is there something else you'd recommend? Thanks

 

@Pudge
@War Machine

 

That is a great starting point. It covers most of your bases when doing paint correction and normal polishing. Make sure you have the appropriate liquids too.

 

Perfect. Thanks!!