Featured Products
Advertisement
DEWALT Buffer/Polisher
On Amazon
- 12.0-Amp, all ball-bearing construction motor
- Heat-treated, precision-cut steel gears
- Wool ingestion shields
- 0-600/3500 rpm speed range
- Weight - 6.7 pounds
WEN 6010
On Amazon
- 120 V, 0.5 amp permanent magnet motor
- 1 year warranty
- Comfortable 1 or 2 hand use
- 3500 rpm max speed
- Weight - 3.35 pounds
BLACK & DECKER WP900
On Amazon
- Swappable foam and wool bonnet
- 10-ft cord
- 2 Year warranty
- 4400 rpm max speed
- Weight - 5.3-pounds
Editorial Picks
Why We Picked It
The DEWALT DWP849X is built for longevity and durability. The maximum speed of its powerful 12-amp motor can be electronically adjusted from a gentle-start 600 to a powerful 3,500 rpm via an easy-to-use speed dial, which makes it an excellent choice for both experts and beginners. From there, the speed is easily controlled by a trigger while you’re buffing, much like a kitchen mixer.
This DEWALT buffer is also designed for efficiency, smooth operation and easy servicing. The purchase includes the polisher, a three-position bale handle and straight side handles. Users have reported that it’s difficult to find differently-sized adapters, so you might be stuck with its 7-inch backing plate and 7-inch pads. That limits how much you can buff at once, but not too badly.
Pros & Cons
- Variable speeds from 600 to 3,500 rpm
- Durable and well-made
- Comes with multiple handles
- Heavier than some rivals, and more physically demanding to use
- Finding different backing plates isn't easy
- Expensive
Why We Picked It
If you’re looking for an inexpensive entry-level polisher that’s good for more than one task, the Black & Decker WP900 offers real flexiblity. It isn’t just for waxing—it handles light polishing jobs, too. Easy to use and highly rated for its quiet operation, this WP900 is half the size of most buffing and polishing machines and weighs just under 5 pounds. The two-handle style grip prevents reduces hand fatigue and its 10-foot chord allows for easy maneuverability.
Unlike the variable speed buffers, the Black & Decker runs at a consistent 4,400 orbits per minute, which might not be ideal for a newbie as at that speed you can damage paint if you aren’t careful. Due to its speed restrictions, this buffer is best used only for light polishing. Some users reported that it didn’t entirely remove deeper imperfections.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Low price
- Speed not adjustable, it’s 4,400-rpm or nothing
- Not suited to deeper scratches
- The pads included with the buffer are cheap and low quality
Best cordless buffer
Best cordless buffer
Sale
$264.99
-$57.00 (22%)
Sale
$264.99
-$57.00 (22%)
Why We Picked It
According to Milwaukee, their M18 variable speed polisher is the world’s first full-size cordless rotary polisher. It delivers corded performance without the hassle, restrictions, and risks of paint damage caused by having an electrical cord dragging or flailing around as paint is polished. It’s also lighter than its cord-tethered competitors, which is no bad thing when you’re polishing a 20-foot-long F-350.
If you already own Milwaukee products like power drills or grinders, there’s an extra bonus here as the batteries and charger are interchangeable. Reviews state that the polisher can complete a full-size vehicle on one charge, but if your paint renewing project requires several steps like cutting, polishing and waxing, it’s recommended to have at least two charged batteries available.
Pros & Cons
- Battery powered
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- May need more than one battery to complete the job
- Battery, charger not included
- Not cheap
Best air powered buffer
Why We Picked It
The Astro 3055 is different from the other buffers on this list for two reasons. First, it’s air-powered, so you’ll need an air compressor to use it and an air regulator to vary the speed if you so choose. Second, it’s really small with just a 3-inch head, and well-suited to some applications where other buffers are just too large or cumbersome, such as narrow or underhood areas or small passengers in complex metal shapes. You don’t often encounter such challenges, but the Astro is uniquely suited to them. It can also polish wheels and clouded headlights.
Because it’s quite small and light (just 1.5 pounds), the Astro is easy to use on larger areas too, although it does add time to the job. Users report a long service life (in some cases more than 10 years) and easy operation, but little support from the company. They’ve also suggested that the pads that come with the tool are of cheap quality, and some received entirely incorrect pads.
Pros & Cons
- Uses air instead of electricity
- Lightweight, compact and capable of reaching confined areas
- Durable and cheap
- Air compressor required
- So-so customer service
- Kit includes cheap pads, and sometimes incorrect pads
Best complete kit
Best complete kit
Why We Picked It
The Chemical Guys TORQX Polisher Kit comes with everything you need to revive your vehicle’s paint. The kit comes complete with the buffer, three different pads for varying levels of polishing, and four levels of compounds from heavier cutting polish to a final polish. Each one of these items is of high quality, and the kit is almost universally regarded as the best on the market.
The TORQX polisher (made by TORQX but sold via Chemical Guys) offers 700 watts of power. It’s powerful enough for a pro, but easy enough for a beginner to use, though beginners may miss having a handle for optimum control. Customers report the motor can get bogged down on heavier applications. The variable speed adjusts from 2,800 to 7,800-rpm, a range that can handle a light polish or wax, or turn up the juice for heavier scratch and swirl removal.
Pros & Cons
- Comes with everything you need
- Speeds from 2,800 to 7,800 rpm
- Good for beginners and pros
- Doesn’t have a handle
- Motor may get bogged down on heavy applications
- Quality component pieces mean a high price
Why We Picked It
The WEN 6010 waxer is the perfect choice for those of us on a budget who just want to speed up the always-laborious waxing process. It checks all the boxes for an affordable but reliable waxer: it’s easy to use, simple to store and costs just a hair over $20. It isn’t, however, suited to polishing or removing scratches.
Its compact design and 6-inch applicator will reach most hard-to-wax areas, and the conveniently placed on/off switch is lockable to prevent accidental shifting. The speed is set to 4,000 RPM, which is plenty of power for a good waxing, but the speeds are not variable and reviews report that the 6010 isn’t really up to most polishing tasks.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- 4,000-rpm speed only, not variable
- Not for polishing or deep paintwork
- Included pads are low quality
Featured Picks
Advertisement
DEWALT Buffer/Polisher
On Amazon
- 12.0-Amp, all ball-bearing construction motor
- Heat-treated, precision-cut steel gears
- Wool ingestion shields
- 0-600/3500 rpm speed range
- Weight - 6.7 pounds
WEN 6010
On Amazon
- 120 V, 0.5 amp permanent magnet motor
- 1 year warranty
- Comfortable 1 or 2 hand use
- 3500 rpm max speed
- Weight - 3.35 pounds
BLACK & DECKER WP900
On Amazon
- Swappable foam and wool bonnet
- 10-ft cord
- 2 Year warranty
- 4400 rpm max speed
- Weight - 5.3-pounds
What Is The Difference Between a Car Buffer and a Car Polisher?
Buffers and polishers are in fact the same pieces of equipment, and can be used to either buff or polish a vehicle, depending on the compound being used.
For example, you could use a buffer/polisher with specialized abrasive compounds and a soft pad early in the process in order to get rid of imperfections and swirl marks. Later on, you would use that same buffer/polisher with a different pad and compound to restore the shine. So in one case the very same piece of equipment is used to buff the car, and in another case it’s used to polish it.
METHODOLOGY
To determine the best buffers and polishers for reviving your vehicle’s paint, we researched a wide range of top-rated buffers and polishers to compile a list that will satisfy a wide range of skill sets and budgets. Each product is rated according to overall performance, durability, ease-of-use and overall value. A couple of niche items are also included for specialized applications.
In determining our ratings we considered both our own experiences with buffers and polishers as well as a broad range of end-user ratings and evaluations by multiple users in our evaluations.
Can buffing damage car paint?
Yes, but buffing a car is generally safe as long as you tread lightly and use the correct type of car buffer and compound. The process of buffing a vehicle’s paint cuts away at the clear coat resulting in a smoother, more shiny finish. If the buffing is executed too aggressively or if the buffer is held in one spot for too long, it can potentially damage the paint.
What is the difference between buffing and polishing a car?
Polishing is a lightly abrasive finishing process where a person applies polishing compounds on a soft cloth or sponge to restore the luster in a vehicle’s paint by hand. Buffing is the process that uses machines to apply cutting or polishing compounds to modify a vehicle’s clear coat to repair swirl marks and light scratches.
Should I buff or polish my car?
In general, you should buff your vehicle once per year, followed by a wax or ceramic coating. Using a clay bar your car before polishing will help ensure no contaminants will cause swirl marks as you buff. If your vehicle is parked in a dusty area or under a tree, or if you live in a coastal area where there’s salt in the air, you might want to consider buffing your car two to three times per year with a light polishing compound.
What kind of scratches can be buffed out?
Most small scratches can be polished out of a vehicle’s paint by using a buffing tool and cutting and polishing compounds. Superficial scratches on the clear coat are the most likely to buff out, but if the color coat on the paint is damaged, the repair may require a paint touch up.
What pads should I use to polish a car?
The general rule of thumb is to have two pads per step available. For a full paint restoration procedure, you’ll want two compounding pads, two polishing pads, and two finishing pads on hand. Since pads are what's going to make contact with your car's surface, if there's an area where you shouldn't skimp on quality, it's the pads.
How do you clean polishing pads?
It’s best to individually hand wash polishing pads which have been exposed to different compounds separately to avoid contaminating the pads. Put a once of liquid dish washing detergent in a five-gallon bucket and fill with water. Soak the pads for 30 minutes, then work out the old polishing compound by squeezing and massaging the pads. Rinse and squeeze out the water before letting them dry. There are also specialized cleaners available. In that case, follow the instructions on the product’s label.