Help me!

[sparky99]

Guys, I'm having a hard time!!! I really want to get a good orbital polisher but cannot decide between the recommended Porter cable (7424xp?) and the Girot's G9..

PLEASE help!

[FIREM]

Have had Mr Porta Cable 7424XP for years and love it. Doubles as a DA sander when needed also....
Highly recommended by "Junkman"

[LUNAT1C]

I have my 3.5"-ish backing plate on my Porter Cable and my 6" backing plate on my Harbor Freight DA polisher. We have a Griots in the basement as a backup in case one of those fails. I don't know what model it is.

Were I going to replace one of them for any reason (likely failure for X reason) I'd take a look at something from Flex or Rupes. Pricey, but professional and mobile detailers love those brands. Griots is also high on the list.

Between the Griots and Porter Cable I'd pick the one at the better pricepoint. *MAYBE* check the throw of each one and decide for yourself which would be more suitable for you based on that. Longer throw is good for covering large panels faster, while a shorter throw with a smaller backing plate is good for those tight spots.

[In-trepid]

I have a 6 inch DA Harbor Freight, a 3 inch Girot's DA, and a 7 inch Harbor Freight rotary that I rarely use. If I were getting another 6 inch, I would get a long throw Griot's.

[M-Pressive]

I have had a Porta Cable for many, many years. Always worked great.

When I got M-Pressive back from the last shop they finish was scratched and needed a DA polish.
Bought a BAUER from Harbor Freight and it did amazing on the swirls and sanding marks.

The Dual Action really seems to remove the scratches better then the Porta Cable.

[sparky99]

I have had a Porta Cable for many, many years. Always worked great.

When I got M-Pressive back from the last shop they finish was scratched and needed a DA polish.
Bought a BAUER from Harbor Freight and it did amazing on the swirls and sanding marks.

The Dual Action really seems to remove the scratches better then the Porta Cable.

If you had to do it all over again, would you use the same one? Or upgrade to a “better brand”?
I’m not looking to start a business. Maybe use it once or twice a year. I’m starting to maybe lean this way.

[M-Pressive]

I would buy the Bauer one again in a second.


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[In-trepid]

I'm happy with my Harbor Freight one. I think it is Chicago Electric (now they have Bauer, They look very similar). I would probably spring for the long throw one for a few extra bucks.

[sparky99]

well, I did it. I decided to go with the Harbor Freight polisher. It is designed similar to the G9. It is a short throw, but again. I'm not looking to turn this into a profession. I just want to do some rubbin!

[LUNAT1C]

Once every 2 years is all you should ever need, assuming you give scratch'n'swirls a wide berth. I only ever used a finishing polish on Luna every two years, compounded every 3-4 as necessary (spot treatments usually). I would have needed to this year, but the body shop should be taking care of it.

[monte4]

I agree with LUNATIC. You shouldn't have to polish with compound every year (unless you're driving in snow and salt or don't wash your car properly which will leave scratches/swril marks etc). I've only done a complete strip and compound polish 3 times on mine over the last 10 years. As long as you use good quality sealant, wax, etc, you should be able to get by with just a claying then reapply your wax/sealant or whatever. You can use your machine to apply your wax/sealant, etc also but I prefer to buff it off by hand. I clay and reapply sealant 2 twice a year on mine.