My kids got my a Waxmaster W109 9" orbital buffer for Fathers day. This the kind of machine you can pick up at Checker auto parts. I have read all the posts here and decided that a 6' OB would be better. I can exchange the one I have for a 6" Waxmaster machine at Checker for about the same price, around $50.

I looked around and found the PC 7424 everyone here likes for $110-$120 which I know is good considering list price. But why is the PC worth more than twice as much as the Waxmaster? Does it do the job any better or easier or will it just hold up longer? I like to stay with the Waxmaster if it will do the job.

Thanks,

Steve A4 98.0 2.8QMS + Mother's three step finish

I'm not familiar with the waxmaster, so I'll just say, as long as you're using a random orbit polisher, you should be okay. If it polishes in a fixed pattern, that makes it a lot less dummy-proof.

The Meguiar's pads that are available for the 7424 are very nice. The pads have a 5/16" male threaded connector. I'm not sure what sorts of pads are available for the waxmaster. Maybe the waxmaster only allows you to use terry cloth bonnets. I've used polishers that only seem to work with bonnets before, and they are a pain in the ass. The bonnet always seems to come off. Second, I wouldn't use a terry cloth bonnet to apply the polish in the first place. The foam pads seem to do a very nice job, and those are readily available for the 7424.

Lastly, if you intend to use it regularly, these are tools, just like any other. I'm a tool snob...I hate cheap tools, and I firmly believe you get what you pay for. More than likely, there will be a difference in build quality. A $50 tool will probably break or deteriorate much quicker than a $100-$200 tool. The box on the 7424 says "spiral gears and 100% ball bearings". I'm not sure what the advantage to spiral gears is (or what they are), but ball bearings must be good! :-P The manual also says that it should be serviced every 100 hours of use. I doubt I'll ever do that, but I'm not sure I'll ever need to. One car probably takes 20 minutes of continuous usage, so this thing can do about 300 cars before it's first scheduled "tune-up"!

I'll definately check on the orbit pattern, it supposed to be random. It uses terry bonnets for wax off (which I would not use) and wax applicator bonnets.

I'm sure the Porter Cable will last forever. I love good tools too, whenever I don't get the best I regret it.

I only reason I am considering the Waxmaster is that I'm not sure I will like having an orbital buffer at all. I have always waxed by hand and some claim it's the only way to go. I'd be OK with the Waxmaster if it did a good job and did not last. If it craps out in a year AND I like using the OB, I can get the Porter Cable. If it does not do a good job, I don't want it.

Thanks for your help,

Steve A4 98.0 2.8QMS

There is a pretty good amount of control with the 7424, but I wouldn't jam it into the tight spaces, and near black trim. I would do those areas by hand.

The other thing I didn't mention is that I recently got the 7424. I tried it on a test car, and it really took the elbow grease out of the equation. I keep my Audi looking pretty clean, so it really doesn't need the 7424 more than once a year I think. I have yet to use it on the Audi...I'm going to keep "testing" on pops car for a while, until I'm certain I have the hang of it, and I don't leave machine marks on the paint (so far none). So far, dad was VERY impressed. My experimenting costs him nothing, and he's got a clean car to boot! :-)

The first time I went over one of our cars with Griots #3 machine polish and their foam bonnet with the 7424 I was astounded. Much better than my hand work (higher shine, less fine scratches remained), much faster, no forearm cramps.

I had my doubts that Griots "Best Of Show" Wax could be applied better than by hand, but again I was wrong. The wax pad (foam again) applied a much more even coat and wasted less than applying by hand. I also applied Mothers Carnuba Paste to the truck with the pad. Worked just as well but the cleanup was more hassle than with Griots products which use water soluble carriers.

I still remove everything by hand (cotton flannel cloths).