• Let the buffer do the work for you-never bear down on it.
• Hand-buff and polish very tight spots, like the painted surface on a sports mirror or a lower valance panel.
• After the buffing or polishing product has dried, wipe it off with a premium microfiber polishing towel.
• Remove the buffing or polishing pad after using it and clean it with a mild detergent. Allow it to air dry, and then put it in a protective plastic covering or Ziploc bag for storage.
• Never continue using a pad if it has inadvertently been contaminated with any dirt or foreign substance. Pull the pad off of the buffer and hand wash it with a mild detergent. Dry it by shaking it out before continuing with your project.
• Use industrial strength Velcro as it features a waterproof adhesive and a rugged hook-and-loop design that is built to be take repeated "on and off" applications. Keep the unused industrial strength Velcro stored in the Ryobi plastic carrying case.
• Leave the applicator and terrycloth bonnet included with the buffer in the storage case. Do not use them on your enthusiast vehicle, but rather for non-critical applications such as polishing the tongue on your trailer.
Conclusion
If you have 10 minutes, a hardware store that carries the Ryobi line of power tools, and a source for Velcro (hardware store, fabric store, crafts store, and so on), you can build this buffer for around $35. If you don't have the time, DuSold Enterprises will build you a Ryobi buffer for $65 plus shipping.
Next, the Velcro is carefully...
Next, the Velcro is carefully trimmed with a razor blade as close to the Ryobi rubber pad as possible. Working slowly and carefully ensures a clean cut.
Thanks to the Velcro, now...
Thanks to the Velcro, now the Ryobi buffer is ready for a professional buffing or polishing pad.
A 6.50-inch Showroom FX "Orange...
A 6.50-inch Showroom FX "Orange Cutting/Polishing Pad (PN SXFP-02; retail $9.99) is then centered and pushed on the Ryobi pad. The hook-and-loop backing of the pads is very strong; even after repeated use, it won't "get loose" and toss the pad across the garage.
David DuSold says, "The key to buffing and polishing is being able to control the machine and choosing the right products to achieve the desired results. We use the Ryobi buffer and Showroom FX pads and products on customer cars as well as our personal collection of vehicles. It doesn't matter if it's a daily driver or a collector car-the buffer is cheap, and when used with the right pads and products, it brings out a showcar shine."
For hobbyists who would rather not make their own buffer, Showroom FX offers several buffer/polishers, but the Porter Cable 7424 XP Polisher (PN SFXPC-30; retail $129.99) is a best-seller and hobbyist favorite. It is a dual-action model that operates between 2,500 and 6,800 orbits per minute, so it will go a bit slower and faster than the Ryobi (4,800 ops constant).
No matter what buffer or polisher you purchase, you must use quality pads and products to obtain the proper results. Size 6 1/2-inch hook-and-loop pads are common, and several manufacturers offer a wide-variety of pads for buffing and polishing. The same goes for car care products developed to remove swirl marks or polish a finish. If you have a favorite brand of pad and a line of products that has worked well for you in the past, give it a go.
A comparison of the buffers...
A comparison of the buffers in use at DuSold Enterprises really points out the size differences between the DeWalt 7- to 9-inch Electronic Variable Speed Polisher (PN DW849; retail $239.99) and the Ryobi buffer. In addition to weighing over 5 pounds less than the Dewalt unit, the palm grip of the Ryobi makes it very easy to use.
Showroom FX markets private...
Showroom FX markets private label Lake Country Manufacturing pads, made to its specifications. A great combination for buffing (cutting) is the orange pad and Showroom FX's Swirl Eliminator (PN SFX-08; retail $19.95; 16 ounces) to remove swirl marks. For polishing, follow up with Showroom FX's Gray Finishing Pad (PN SFXP-04; retail $9.99) and either Crystal Black Carnauba Crème for dark color finishes or Crystal White (PN SFX-02 [B] or [W]; retail $16.95; 12 ounces) for light finishes (it contains Carnauba wax and synthetic polymers). In less than two hours you can have a swirl-free finish that is professionally polished with outstanding clarity and depth of shine.
If you want more power from...
If you want more power from your Ryobi buffer for heavier cutting action or faster polishing, remove the attached foam pad and affix the Velcro directly to the rubber baseplate. Although the Ryobi will never match the DeWalt for power or speed and is not recommended for heavy cutting, it is more than adequate to handle routine buffing and polishing tasks for the professional and hobbyist alike!