I am just recently getting into professional detailing and would like to purchase a circular polisher. I just used one for the first time on a customer's Tahoe, in which I clayed, high speed buffed and waxed. The guy was very pleased when he finally came to pick the car up. It had some pretty noticeable scratch marks throughout certain parts of the vehicle and they virtually disappeared. I feel that I could have gotten them to look even better, but since this is an express detail place I really can't spend too much time on one car. It looked good enough though for a customer who saw me working on it and said that he wanted me to detail his other car for him. He was getting his Land Rover detailed by two other guys at the time. I agreed and asked him what kind of car it was and he told me it was a Ferrari.

The buffers and orbitals that we use are all pneumatic operated. My question is... are the pneumatic versions superior to the electric ones? I want to be able to use my own buffer at work and will be able to use either type, but if i go with the pneumatic version then I will have to purchase an air compressor if I want to be able to use it at home. What do you guys think?

Also, I had a customer approach me about a minor spot of scratches he put on his hood while trying to remove some bugs. The car is white. They are not very deep and can just barely be felt with a fingernail running across them. He said he would be returning this coming Wednesday. I was thinking of starting with some 3M Perfect It II that I just ordered yesterday to see if that would work. I also ordered 3M's swirl remover for light paints. I would perhaps start with a light cutting pad and progress to a cutting if necessary. Would you agree? Do you think I should try it first with the DA polisher, or just go ahead and use a circular? And, are the pad selections the same with a circular polisher as they are with a DA polisher (cutting, light cutting, polishing, finishing etc.)?

Does nobody here use or have used a circular polisher???

I would try the guys at autopia.org, it's like bf.c for detailers. :D

The Dewalt DW849 and Makita 9227C are preferred the most by the pros. I have the Dewalt and like it, it's very powerful, variable speed, and pretty indestructible.

You should get the Makita 9227C, I have been using it for about 5-6 years. Excellent machine and lasts along time.

Is that Makita 9227 electic or pneumatic? Do you know who would have the best price on it?

fisherbln, thanks for mentioning the autopia site! Lots of info there.