What's Better? Wax with an Orbital Polisher or Wax by Hand? - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

TagMan · 03-28-2008, 10:33 AM

Is it any better to use an orbital polishing machine, or is it better to wax by hand?

larryn · 03-28-2008, 10:45 AM

IMO, if you know how to use an orbital, it's better and easier to use. You should still have to do hand application around places where you can't get by machine.

Once I got used to using the porter cable, I found myself doing more frequent waxing too, since it takes less time to do than hand application. So, that's another positive for the orbital.

I still do my claying by hand though. I don't trust using the oribital for that.

Nice1 · 03-28-2008, 11:11 AM

imo, if you do it correctly orbitals are the way to go. only disadvantage is that, all other things being equal, you use up a bit more wax in the machine due to pad absorption.

MVF4Rrider · 03-28-2008, 11:16 AM

Orbitals for sure. They lay down a very thin layer, which is all you need. Wax sets up faster and comes off far easier. I have both the Griot's (Makita) 6" and 3" orbitals. Best AC powered on the market. Using the correct pad is important too. Wash, clay, polish, wax. Results are stunning!

JohnL135I · 03-28-2008, 11:42 AM

I really don't use my Flex to apply wax/sealant. I apply my Zaino by hand. However, I think the biggest benefit of an Orbital polisher is what it can do for your paint prior to applying wax. With the use of some Menzerna Polish, a white polish pad, I can remove ALL swirls from my paint. This is something I could not do with just my hands. This is the real benefit of an orbital polisher.

vanbmw · 03-28-2008, 12:13 PM

Machine is better. HOWEVER...you can cause major damage very quickly if you do it incorrectly. I saw a hood that got scratched bad by one little piece of grit getting between the polish pad and the paint. It is the way to go but just make sure you are very careful and get lots of good quality polishing bonnets! I have heard really good things (see BALLS above) about Griot's garage wax kits. They have an orbital poilsh/wax kits with detailed instructions that I have my eye on.

mchaskell · 03-28-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanbmw

Machine is better. HOWEVER...you can cause major damage very quickly if you do it incorrectly. I saw a hood that got scratched bad by one little piece of grit getting between the polish pad and the paint. It is the way to go but just make sure you are very careful and get lots of good quality polishing bonnets! I have heard really good things (see BALLS above) about Griot's garage wax kits. They have an orbital poilsh/wax kits with detailed instructions that I have my eye on.

Griots is good stuff. If you ever drop a pad just throw it out and be very careful how you treat used pads (I wrap mine in a clean towel until they can be washed). Perhaps a little paranoid but the alternative is much worse.

vanbmw · 03-28-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchaskell

Griots is good stuff. If you ever drop a pad just throw it out and be very careful how you treat used pads (I wrap mine in a clean towel until they can be washed). Perhaps a little paranoid but the alternative is much worse.

Sounds like you are smart...not paranoid!

TagMan · 03-28-2008, 05:32 PM

Sounds like the orbital machine is the way to go. I definately can see the potential for damage if something were to get on the pad and then scratch or grind itself into the car's paint.

I know from an unfortunate experience, however, that a small contaminant can also find its way into a manual pad or rag and then scratch the paint from waxing by hand.

You can't be too careful, as I found out.

Do all the orbital machines really totally prevent the paint burn or swirls that the circular polishers can cause?

vanbmw · 03-28-2008, 05:53 PM

The other side of the coin...the modern polishes/waxes are very easy to apply and you get good results by hand. I'm sure the opbital is better but if you buy a good wax and use good quality microfibre applicators/buffing cloths you will also be happy. If you take care of the paint from the start it (hopefully) won't end up in bad shape needing lots of buffing/polishing.

GatoGrande · 03-28-2008, 07:20 PM

Excellent thread !!!

natedog_1959 · 03-28-2008, 08:43 PM

I have taken great care of my car over the last 3.5 years and 90,000 miles but it still needs a good polish/wax job that no amount of hand work will fix. Nate

vanbmw · 03-28-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natedog_1959

I have taken great care of my car over the last 3.5 years and 90,000 miles but it still needs a good polish/wax job that no amount of hand work will fix. Nate

So doing a good hand clay/polish/wax job won't cut it? You still need to do a good machine buff to get the paint looking really good? I figured that doing it 2-3 times a year by hand might be fine and the buffer might not be needed. Guess I was wrong! Good to know.

03-28-2008, 10:33 AM	#1
TagMan Car Addict!! Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California Posts: 1,303 iTrader: (0)	What's Better? Wax with an Orbital Polisher or Wax by Hand? Is it any better to use an orbital polishing machine, or is it better to wax by hand? __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible
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03-28-2008, 11:16 AM	#4
MVF4Rrider PCA, BMWCCA Drives: 997S, MV Agusta F4, E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,060 iTrader: (0)	Orbitals for sure. They lay down a very thin layer, which is all you need. Wax sets up faster and comes off far easier. I have both the Griot's (Makita) 6" and 3" orbitals. Best AC powered on the market. Using the correct pad is important too. Wash, clay, polish, wax. Results are stunning! __________________ '08 Carrera S 6MT Guards Red/Black ext leather, Carbon fiber pkg, sport exh, sport chrono +, PASM, Nav, Bose, 19" forged turbos, red tranny tunnel '07 MV Agusta F4 1000 R 1+1, Corse Red/Silver, RG3 race pipes and factory race ECU

03-28-2008, 05:32 PM	#9
TagMan Car Addict!! Drives: '08 135i Convertible Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Malibu, California Posts: 1,303 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like the orbital machine is the way to go. I definately can see the potential for damage if something were to get on the pad and then scratch or grind itself into the car's paint. I know from an unfortunate experience, however, that a small contaminant can also find its way into a manual pad or rag and then scratch the paint from waxing by hand. You can't be too careful, as I found out. Do all the orbital machines really totally prevent the paint burn or swirls that the circular polishers can cause? __________________ 2008 /// Commemorative /// 6-Speed /// Titanium Silver /// Fully-Loaded /// 135i Convertible

03-28-2008, 07:20 PM	#11
GatoGrande Gato Grande Drives: '08 X5 3.0 SI Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Deer Park, IL Posts: 180 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW X5 [0.00]	Excellent thread !!! __________________ John

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03-28-2008, 10:45 AM	#2
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '10 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,288 iTrader: (2)	IMO, if you know how to use an orbital, it's better and easier to use. You should still have to do hand application around places where you can't get by machine. Once I got used to using the porter cable, I found myself doing more frequent waxing too, since it takes less time to do than hand application. So, that's another positive for the orbital. I still do my claying by hand though. I don't trust using the oribital for that.

03-28-2008, 11:11 AM	#3
Nice1 Captain Drives: e82 Join Date: May 2008 Location: HI Posts: 645 iTrader: (0)	imo, if you do it correctly orbitals are the way to go. only disadvantage is that, all other things being equal, you use up a bit more wax in the machine due to pad absorption.

03-28-2008, 11:42 AM	#5
JohnL135I Donkey Kong King Drives: 2012 Boss 302 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 1,127 iTrader: (3)	I really don't use my Flex to apply wax/sealant. I apply my Zaino by hand. However, I think the biggest benefit of an Orbital polisher is what it can do for your paint prior to applying wax. With the use of some Menzerna Polish, a white polish pad, I can remove ALL swirls from my paint. This is something I could not do with just my hands. This is the real benefit of an orbital polisher.

03-28-2008, 12:13 PM	#6
vanbmw Captain Drives: Black 135 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 683 iTrader: (0)	Machine is better. HOWEVER...you can cause major damage very quickly if you do it incorrectly. I saw a hood that got scratched bad by one little piece of grit getting between the polish pad and the paint. It is the way to go but just make sure you are very careful and get lots of good quality polishing bonnets! I have heard really good things (see BALLS above) about Griot's garage wax kits. They have an orbital poilsh/wax kits with detailed instructions that I have my eye on.

03-28-2008, 05:53 PM	#10
vanbmw Captain Drives: Black 135 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 683 iTrader: (0)	The other side of the coin...the modern polishes/waxes are very easy to apply and you get good results by hand. I'm sure the opbital is better but if you buy a good wax and use good quality microfibre applicators/buffing cloths you will also be happy. If you take care of the paint from the start it (hopefully) won't end up in bad shape needing lots of buffing/polishing.

03-28-2008, 08:43 PM	#12
natedog_1959 Private First Class Drives: 2004 SVT Focus Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 153 iTrader: (0)	I have taken great care of my car over the last 3.5 years and 90,000 miles but it still needs a good polish/wax job that no amount of hand work will fix. Nate