Random Orbit
Using a Random Orbital Polisher/Buffer
Using a random orbital polisher/buffer can take a lot of the time and “elbow grease” out of detailing your car, but many people new to automotive detailing are hesitant to use electric buffers on their cars for fear of making a mistake and causing damage. In reality, a random orbital type buffer, by design, can be used easily and safely, even by an inexperienced detailer.
A random orbital buffer is similar to a rotary buffer, in that it uses the rotation of a soft disc to apply a solution and buff paint. An orbital buffer, however, polishes in a smooth, gentle, random motion that will not burn or damage paint. Random orbital style buffers are great and safe even for beginners. The random, oscillating motion ensures that the same spot on the surface of your paint does not receive too much attention and become damaged.
Orbital buffers generally use interchangeable contact surfaces called bonnets. The bonnets fit over the foam oscillator pad in the same way that a fitted sheet fits over a mattress. For the most typical use, there are three main types of bonnet that you will use. They are:
- Applicator bonnet – This is used to physically spread polish and waxes across the surface of the vehicle.
- Polishing (or microfiber) bonnet - Polishing bonnets are used to gently remove dried polishes and waxes, and leave the surface of the paint smooth and glossy
- Wool bonnet – A lambs wool bonnet is often used as a final step to produce high-gloss shine over the wax. This is typically the final bonnet used, and the last step in detailing
Using an orbital buffer, you simply need to apply a thin layer of evenly-distributed polish to the surface of the vehicle. The polish should be applied using a grid motion, alternating motion from left to right, then up and down.
Note: When applying polishes and waxes, ensure the buffer is placed firmly on the surface of the vehicle before turning the unit on – unless you want to be wearing polish!
After the entire vehicle is covered, replace the applicator bonnet with a clean polishing bonnet to remove all the dried polish. Again, you will want to move gradually across the surface in a grid-like fashion. This motion ensures total coverage, and takes further precaution to ensure no damage to your paint is sustained.
After polishing, you can use the same orbital buffer to apply a layer of your favorite vehicle wax. Once again, use a grid motion to apply the wax, and use a lint-free microfiber hand cloth to apply wax to small, hard to reach areas (like door handles).
Once the wax has had sufficient time to dry, or “haze,” you again use a clean polishing pad to remove the dried wax, and enjoy your show-room shine! For an even deeper shine, you can choose to go over the entire vehicle again using a wool bonnet.
Note: Even though orbital buffers are designed to be as safe and gentle as possible, it it still important to keep in mind that any piece of machinery can be dangerous if used improperly. It is very important to read any instructions and guides for specific products before use.
About the Author
M. Holland
Porter Cable Polisher
Teak Bath Mat
Rockwell vibrafree™ Random Orbit Sander
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Milwaukee 6019-6 1.8 Amp 5″ Random Orbital Sander $64.99 |
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Draper Expert 41458 230-Volt Random Orbit Palm Sander $102.88 |
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GMC ROS150CF 430 w Dual Base Random Orbit Sander $120.29 |
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Bosch 2608601061 Sanding Plate for Bosch Random Orbit Sanders – Hard $25.86 |
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Bosch 2609256031 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.29 |
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Bosch 2609256012 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2600499045 Connector for Belt Sanders and Random Orbit Sanders $15.43 |
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Bosch 2605411025 Dust Bag for Universal Routers and Random Orbit Sanders – 4 pie $32.11 |
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Bosch 2605702037 Angle Adapter for Random Orbit Sanders and Belt Sanders $13.06 |
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Bosch 2600282003 Dust Extraction Bell for Random Orbit Sander Pex 125 $16.63 |
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Bosch 2609256053 Polishing Felt for Random Orbit Sander with Diameter 150mm $20.31 |
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Bosch 2609256052 Polishing Sponge for Random Orbit Sander with Diameter 150mm $20.31 |
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Bosch 2609256050 Lambswool Bonnet for Random Orbit Sander with Diameter 150mm $20.31 |
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Bosch 2609256045 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256044 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256043 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256042 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256039 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.29 |
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Bosch 2609256036 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256035 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256034 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256028 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256022 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256008 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256006 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Bosch 2609256005 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256004 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256001 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256000 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2600282002 Dust Extraction Bell for Random Orbit Sander Pex 115 $16.63 |
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Bosch 1605411026 Dust Bag for Belt and Random Orbit Sanders $47.23 |
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Bosch 2605411068 Dust Bag for Belt, Random Orbit, Orbital Sanders and Universal $36.86 |
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Bosch 2608601062 Sanding Plate for Bosch Random Orbit Sanders – Medium Hard $25.86 |
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Bosch 2605411009 Dust Bag for Random Orbit, Belt, Orbital Sanders, Handheld Circ $21.40 |
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Bosch 2609256020 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Top5″/6″Random Orbital Air Palm Sander/Car polisher Set $99.00 |
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Bosch 2609256046 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Bosch 2609256038 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Bosch Accessories 2607019494 25-Piece Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sanders $94.71 |
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Bosch 2609256015 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256014 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256011 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256010 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.29 |
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Bosch 2609256009 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch Accessories 2607019492 25-Piece Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sanders $30.57 |
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Bosch 2608601063 Sanding Plate for Bosch Random Orbit Sanders – Soft $25.86 |
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Bosch 2605411096 Dust Bag for Belt and Random Orbit Sanders $48.26 |
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Bosch PEX 300 AE Random Orbit Sander $167.91 |
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Bosch 2609256030 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 8-HOLE 180 GRIT BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 8-HOLE 120 GRIT BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 8-HOLE 100 GRIT BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 8-HOLE 80 GRIT BOX 100 $31.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 5-HOLE 100 GRIT BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 5-HOLE 180 GRIT BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 5-HOLE 120 GRIT / BOX 100 $30.95 |
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RANDOM ORBIT DISCS SANDING 5″ 5-HOLE 80 GRIT BOX 100 $31.95 |
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Einhell Random Orbital Sander 420 watt With Electronic Speed Control Complete Wi $85.53 |
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Bosch 25 Random Orbit Sanding Sheets, dia.115mm, 80-240 Grit $45.20 |
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Bosch 2605411067 Dust Bag for Belt, Random Orbit, Orbital Sanders and Universal $14.26 |
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Bosch 2600306007 Adapter for Random Orbit, Orbital and Multi-sanders $14.97 |
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Bosch 1605411028 Dust Bag for Random Orbit, Orbital Sanders and Universal Router $47.17 |
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Bosch PEX 220 A 220 Watt Random Orbit Sander $119.00 |
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Bosch 2609256040 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 6 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.29 |
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Bosch 2609256037 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256033 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256032 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256021 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256007 Sanding Sheet for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro-Type $11.89 |
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Bosch 2609256013 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Silverline Silverstorm® 125563 430SW Random Orbit Sander $88.48 |
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Bosch Accessories 2607019493 25-Piece Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sanders $28.54 |
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Bosch Accessories 2607019497 25-Piece Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sanders $26.14 |
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Bosch 2609256029 Sanding Sheet Set for Random Orbit Sander with 8 Holes/ Velcro- $12.43 |
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Between the Beams $8.99 … |
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Untitled $12.36 … |
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Untitled $8.91 … |
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Mirka 23-615-AP Gold 5-Inch 8-Hole Dustless Hook-and-Loop Sanding Disks, 10 Each of 5 Grits $11.50 All sandpaper is not created equal. As a result, we love Mirka paper. The backing is beefier than other papers, and to us, that means quality. Aluminum oxide grain is the choice of most woodworkers because it’s sharp, durable and, best of all, long-lasting on the higher paper grades that won’t shred on the edges. This assortment is perfect for professionals, homeowners, and hobbyists because it in… |
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DEWALT D26451K Corded 3 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander with Cloth Dust Bag $59.00 Built to deliver smooth, clean finishes, the DEWALT 5-Inch Random-Orbit Sander features DEWALT’s trademarked Controlled Finishing System along with a 3.0 amp motor and an easy-to-control body with textured grips. A dust bag that helps keep your work space clean, a sealed-switch, and sealed ball bearings round out the sander’s durable design.5-Inch Random-Orbit SanderAt a Glance:3.0 amp motor deliv… |
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Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher $260.14 Ideal for polishing and sanding automotive and marine projects, the Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-inch polisher features a 4.5 amp motor for high overload protection and random orbit. It comes with a 6-inch polishing pad. Random orbit, swirl-free sanding/polishing action (view larger). Nicely compact at just 5-1/2 pounds, the 7424XP offers swirl-free sanding/polishing action with an electronic va… |
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Oreck Orbiter Multi Purpose Floor Machine $299.99 The Oreck Orbiter® makes it simple to sand, refinish, strip, scrub, wax, and polish all floor surfaces, as well as clean your carpets. The brush head rotates in a random orbit for easy-to-use fingertip control…. |
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Bonne Bell S/O Sparkler Case Pack 42 – 904057 $444.36 Bonne Bell S/O Sparkler – Smacker S/O Raspberry Orbit Case Pack 42 Please note: If there is a color/size/type option, the option closest to the image will be shipped (Or you may receive a random color/size/type)…. |
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Meguiar’s Professional Dual Action Polisher $145.00 Internal feedback circuitry 1800 opm – 6800 opm most versatile speed range in class Easy side port access for quick brush changes W68DA SoftBuff Backing Plate (Included) Includes convenient Meguiar’s canvas bag… |
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Black & Decker W006B 6 Waxer / Polisher $19.99 Includes 6-in Waxer-Polisher – W006B, (3) Cloth Bonnets… |
This entry was posted on Sunday, October 21st, 2007 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.