Best AFFORDABLE Polishers for Cars!

Just did 2 cars with the Griots G9. Worked great. So much safer to use than the Makita rotary that I always used in the past

Another great video, and the Adams mini polisher has been added to my list. Don't have a garage and need cordless so what a great option. Also, right now (Feb 2024) Milwaukee is doing a promotion on their 15 and 21mm polishers. Bare tool comes with a free 6ah free battery. So if you already have another milwaukee 18v tool, it's a great midrange price for a polisher with battery.

Do the micro polishers work around badging, e.g. the numbers on an old mercedes trunk

You're fun to listen to 😅

I recommend and have good experience with Griot's Garage products. As mentioned, the warranty for lifetime, and they have very good customer service. They have very good chemicals also. However, after my Griot's cordless polisher died because of a bad battery (they only cover batteries for 1 year), I upgraded to a Rupes LHR 5 inch Mark I. (They still sell the Mark I new for $299.)

I have an MT300 from Meguairs. I am a DIY guy that does some jobs from time to time. I was wondering, how does this model stack up in the lines you presented? I don’t have any experience with anything else as this was/is my first DA polisher. I used an old makita rotary back in the 90’s then upgrade to this in the mid 2000’s. I have been looking at upgrading the Rupes polisher but don’t know if it makes sense over a power washer.. maybe I’ll get the power washer and upgrade my polisher. 😂 any input would be helpful and appreciated though.

Guys, what would you buy, maxshine m15 pro or griot g9 for ceramic coating projects?

Hey Pan! What's your favorite inspection light? I know there's a bunch to choose from.

Hi Pan,
Which of there tools has the most accessories available to them (from back plates, to pads) to warranty and that are less than 250 USD. Thank you very much.

By the way, i almost forgot. The "force rotain / direct drive" polishers, if they are DA or Random Rotation, they would be able to do more (remove scratches, etc) than the non force rotation polisher, correct? So, if they do not have force rotation, would they fall short of the service they provide?

Pan, I’ve got a 6 inch DA from griots but am looking for a smaller one to help me get into corners and edge work. Can I just buy a smaller backing plate and pad and use the same polisher instead of buying a mini polisher?

Very useful video Pan. I’m from Spain and another weekend warrior thinking on future business. I can’t go for the USA brands so I’m thinking more in a rotative Flex. What do you think? I have received some lessons from good experts here but never practiced myself. Would be my first polisher. They are expensive but cars worth the money. Thanks and keep it clean!

can I use Random Orbital Sander instead to attach the polish pads? what is the difference thank you.

Hello, I'm looking to buy my first DA polisher, which do you recommend? Griots and Adams are unfortunately not available in my country.
1. MaxShine M8S Mk1 ($120)
2. MaxShine M15 Pro II ($225)
3. ShineMate EX610/15 ($210)
4. ShineMate EX620/15 ($275)
5. Rupes LHR15 ES Mk1 ($355)
6. Other brands/models?

Also, for smaller/tighter surface areas, should I buy one of those micro/mini polishers like the SPTA ones or just get a 3" polisher like the ShineMate EX603?

Love the videos over the years, you’re the man! That Red one by Griot’s is my pick. . . Thanks for the info. Hopefully I can have my car done by the new year, taking my time

Thanks

Can you provide some information about RPM? I understand some orbital polishers can run up to 4000 rpm. Sounds a like fast and risk of burns

Does any of The polisher's come cordless. I am just starting a beginner, and I'm looking for a polisher. That's cordless and the price.

Thanks Pan for this fantastic information.. As a home warrior these polishers fit my budget and amount of yearly use.. I found the MAXSHINE SHINEMASTER PRO POLISHER 1000W M15 PRO v2 here in Australia from the local distributor at a fantastic price.. Very much enjoying your insight and knowledge of the products and techniques ... Keep up the great work.. Cheers👍🏻

Thinking about getting a ro palm sander just to dip my toe into polishing

Not one single torq on the list hmmm!

What’s your take on the torque line from the chemical guys ?? Do you know how makes them?? Great video Pan.

Yasou Pan,

Thank you for a detailed video on the various polishers! I am a weekend warrior and enthusiast. I am in the market for a polisher and like you said I am better off buying the most expensive one because in the long term buying an inexpensive one will Not have the same results/performance/quality. You end up paying at least twice.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation in Greece 🇬🇷! OPA 😀!

NIKOS

I find your videos are very informative and I greatly appreciate it what is better a long throw or short-throw D.A. thank you

I have an original Gen Griots with a 6" back plate; from way back. I then bought a Dewalt Cordless DCM848 (15mm throw) and i love it. It has plenty of power and not having a cord is wonderful. In days past I did a LOT of detailing and buffing when I had a used car store. It was all Sioux, Port Cable and Milwaukee 7" corded rotary polishers. Very, very heavy and commonly used with a wool pad and 3M Super Duty. Boy you had to be carefull. The Griot is going in for repairs and they tell me they'll likely not be able to repair due to its age but will give me a big credit towards a new machine. As I like 15mm throw I will probably go with the G15. If I had to buy a new corded machine it would likely be the 15mm Rupes. FWIW using the Dewalt with a Rupes foam pad and SONAX Ultimate Cut and then SONAX Perfect Finish is like MAGIC.

Thanks for the info pan, as always an amazing video!

Raybao cordless buffer on amazon- was super happy opening the box but then as i start to use it. the felt ripped off the black pad first time i took it off. the batteries don't work unless i push them into the buffer and hold them. and the weight of the machine is too heavy vs the power that i have to lift the DA off the panel to get the rotation to be consistent do not buy unless you're just looking to waste time and money. the travel bag and apron was a nice touch that came with

What about the shinemate ex620?

ShineMate is an Australian company, seem to make good machines

✋🏾

As always, love how detailed you are. Thanks for all the recommendations

No Harbor Freight huh?, lol. I'm so used to cordless for most every application, it just seems like it would be so nice to avoid a dirty cord as you work on your shiney car for 5". I'm sure a pro has the skill to work around that effortlessly. Since I already have the batteries I wonder how a mainstream tool line option like a DA DeWalt or Milwaukee cordless would compare...

Years ago, Adams claimed everything was made in USA - sans the clay which was still under a foreign patent.

@pantheorganizer What's your feedback on Harbor Freight's new Hercules 6" polisher for $120? Its supposedly a dup for the Flex. IAMJOSHV did a review and I would love you to do a review on it! Thanks for considering.

Are the Milwaukee Brushless Li-ion Polishers (Dual action or Rotary) any good?

I think Maxshine updated their wareanty in 2023. It now says lifetime for their Maxshine M8s V2.

What do think about the Hercules, from harbor freight?

Just out if curiosity how would thw Harbor Fright Buaer and Hercules polishers stack up to the value priced polisher you highlighted here? Are they even in the same universe as these?

Love your videos. Discovered your channel last month. Your recent ones seem you’re low on energy though. Vs from previous years.

I am just curious is one can attach a smaller backing plate to a polisher designed for a larger plate? For example, attached a 3“ plate to a 5" or 6" machine?

I'm a weekend warrior and just used Harbor Freight's new Hercules 6" polisher that I bought for $120. I probably could have waited for a sale, but purchased it to polish a customer's car. It brought his car back to life and was easy to use. Not sure how long it will last, but it left a great first impression.

I need a good polisher that is cordless and not very very expanswer I do not have access to a garage The polisher I would like it to be duo. And courtless.

Hi Pan! I’m struggling as a beginner about to do two SUVs to prepare for Gyeon synchro. Should I purchase Rupes Lh12 Duetto or the LH15? My concern is whether as a beginner the 15mm throw would be harder to control and get a good result? Is the Lh12 duetto a safer option and easier to get a good finish? Your advice is always appreciated

Bro.. are you the fire captain from that show 9-11 🧐!!!???

Hey Pan, how are you doing?? I'am a professional detailer been Detailing for about 8yrs & for 1yr on high speed & 3 on da polisher. I been real faithful to harbor freight da polisher 1st one I had was a Chicago da polisher & the last 2 I've have been Bauer 6in da polisher. I changed my backing plate to a 5in by lake country & 3in lake country backing plate. I also used lake country pads. Now I know the Bauer da polisher ain't the smoothies da compared to like a Rupes but dang my Bauer da does great work when I do paint correction & polishing. It also has some strong power behind it as well. Have you seen or used this brand before?? Oh & the high speed I used a few times & own was a Dewalt high-speed buffer.

How did you manage to skip the Torq DA polisher?!! $130 USD and best bang for the buck! Been using mine for 7 years with zero issues. Just used it yesterday on my new car and it still works like brand new.

I bought the Flex about 3 years ago - love it! Yes a bit heavy to move around a SUV.

Pan just wondering what is the difference between Adams SW 12 and SW Pro 12

I started with a Griots G9 and I loved it!! I moved up to a 15mm cordless Dewalt but kept it because I use it from time to time. They even give you extra brushes with it!!