Automotive Sander?
- Thread starter Jessele
- Start date
Sparktrician
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,607
3PedalMINI
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2012
- Messages
- 492
Are you familiar with using a rotary? If not I would strongly recommend getting the rotex150 since you get a random orbit polisher and technically a rotary in the other mode. I have seen to many paint jobs and cars ruined from someone that doesn't know how to properly use a rotary.
If your a noob at detailing start off with porter cable 7424xp. That polisher is so safe the only way you could damage your car is if you threw it at it
the only drawback to it is that because it is so safe it's a relatively slow polisher but its great to learn on. If your car has a harder clear but want to still have a safe polisher and achieve results a bit quicker the flex 3401 is an amazing polisher and is very safe.
If you know how to use a rotary and have been properly trained on it by all means get the shinex, that is one incredible rotary and is probably the smoothest I have ever touched and used . Also stay away from big box polishes and pads. Use polish from menzerna and "über pads" from www.detailersdomain.com. Also poke around here www.detailingbliss.com an incredible wealth of knowledge over there!
If your a noob at detailing start off with porter cable 7424xp. That polisher is so safe the only way you could damage your car is if you threw it at it
the only drawback to it is that because it is so safe it's a relatively slow polisher but its great to learn on. If your car has a harder clear but want to still have a safe polisher and achieve results a bit quicker the flex 3401 is an amazing polisher and is very safe.If you know how to use a rotary and have been properly trained on it by all means get the shinex, that is one incredible rotary and is probably the smoothest I have ever touched and used . Also stay away from big box polishes and pads. Use polish from menzerna and "über pads" from www.detailersdomain.com. Also poke around here www.detailingbliss.com an incredible wealth of knowledge over there!
leakyroof
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2,502
I have, and really love, a Festool Shinex. I bought it to update from years of using Random Orbit sanders with foam pads and compound. As 3PedalMINI noted, Random Orbit sanders are safe, and slow. [embarassed]
But, you really have to work hard to screw up a car finish with them.
The Shinex is light, VERY quiet, and while Festool limits its usage to 6" pads by spec, 6" pads still cover a lot of ground on a hood or roofline pretty easily. It has lint filters to protect the motor if you're using Felt or Sheepskin pads.
The spindle locks for removal of the Velcro/Hook and Loop pad, and it has Festool's usual great speed control.
It does NOT come in a Systainer. I bought an older version of a Maxi-Sys to house my Shinex and the Festool pads .
It's also small, not much bigger than the RO90, so if you have multiple cars to power through.
If you DO buy a Rotex, remember the one thing people seem to forget when buying a sander to work as a polisher at times while doing multiple tasks with the tool.
If you sand with the tool for other tasks, clean it THOROUGHLY before using it as a polisher since any dust or abrasive grit lurking in the tool could work out of a hidden crevice and onto the surface of the car you're trying NOT to harm while polishing or waxing. THAT, could get expensive... [embarassed]
But, you really have to work hard to screw up a car finish with them.
The Shinex is light, VERY quiet, and while Festool limits its usage to 6" pads by spec, 6" pads still cover a lot of ground on a hood or roofline pretty easily. It has lint filters to protect the motor if you're using Felt or Sheepskin pads.
The spindle locks for removal of the Velcro/Hook and Loop pad, and it has Festool's usual great speed control.
It does NOT come in a Systainer. I bought an older version of a Maxi-Sys to house my Shinex and the Festool pads .
It's also small, not much bigger than the RO90, so if you have multiple cars to power through.
If you DO buy a Rotex, remember the one thing people seem to forget when buying a sander to work as a polisher at times while doing multiple tasks with the tool.
If you sand with the tool for other tasks, clean it THOROUGHLY before using it as a polisher since any dust or abrasive grit lurking in the tool could work out of a hidden crevice and onto the surface of the car you're trying NOT to harm while polishing or waxing. THAT, could get expensive... [embarassed]
Another alternative worth considering, FLEX polishers. These are German made machines as well, although not dual purpose (sand/polish) like the Rotex RO150.
I have the FLEX XC3401 which is a forced rotation RO. It has 8mm stroke and operates between 160-480rpm. This machine works wonders on most finishes with little risk of burning. I also have a FLEX PE14-2-150 which is a rotary polisher. It's nearly identical to Festool's Shinex. Quiet, smooth, and plenty of power. The rotary speeds the correction process up on ceramic clear coats but you do have to be more cautious with it.
I have the FLEX XC3401 which is a forced rotation RO. It has 8mm stroke and operates between 160-480rpm. This machine works wonders on most finishes with little risk of burning. I also have a FLEX PE14-2-150 which is a rotary polisher. It's nearly identical to Festool's Shinex. Quiet, smooth, and plenty of power. The rotary speeds the correction process up on ceramic clear coats but you do have to be more cautious with it.
Thanks for all the replies! Such great information
I used to detail cars a few years back and began with the Porter Cable and the moved up to a variable speed Rotary Makita. Looks like I will go with the Shinex!
Every since i drank the green juice... I just cant put the cup down. Been Making purchases every week.
I used to detail cars a few years back and began with the Porter Cable and the moved up to a variable speed Rotary Makita. Looks like I will go with the Shinex!
Every since i drank the green juice... I just cant put the cup down. Been Making purchases every week.
