Master the Tools of the Trade
What you need to know about buffers, polishers, waxers, and shampooers

By Ann Kaiel

If I were giving a speech about this subject, I would be petrified since it would be the first speech I had ever given before such a large crowd. But in a sense, writing this article is like giving a speech before all of you. You are the experts, many of you have been in the business since before I was born. You know most of what there is to know, but you also are willing to learn, and that is why I am writing this article for both you and me to learn about an important subject in the detailing industry.

Like so many things, miscommunication occurs because of the use of incorrect terminology. Nowhere is that more prevalent than in the detail business. When it comes to tools used, we find terms such as: buffers, rotary buffers, polishers, rotary polishers, high-speed buffers, orbitals, orbital buffers, orbital polishers, orbital waxers, dual-action (DA) tools, rotary shampooers and orbital shampooers. Then there are the electric and pneumatic versions of these tools. New detailers are faced with the task of deciding which tools to use and why.

For the industry newcomer, it's mass confusion while the old-timers prefer to stay with what they know. And this is too bad, because they are missing out on technology that could save them hours of time and energy.

Glossary of terms

In order to get us all on the same page, the following is a definition of terms that can be used when speaking about the tools used in the industry.

Electric. A tool powered by 110v/60HZ single-phase current or 220v/50HZ single phase current in many foreign countries.

Pneumatic. A tool powered by air from an air compressor.

Buffer. Also referred to as a high-speed buffer, rotary buffer, buffer/polisher, high-speed polisher and rotary polisher. There might be more names, but these seem to be the most prevalent.

Polisher. In most cases, the person using this term means a buffer but calls it a polisher. The reason for this is that the detailer does two things with this tool. He buffs or cuts the paint finish and he polishes. The difference is a slower speed for polishing, a different pad and a different chemical. The same tool has different applications.

Orbital. This is also referred to as an orbital buffer, orbital polisher and orbital waxer. These are the most common terms when referring to the orbital.

Dual-action tool (DA). The DA tool creates what is often called the orbiting action of a tool. However, with a true orbital you get some spinning action, whereas with a DA you get only a vibration.

Rotary shampooer. This is a rotary buffer that is used for shampooing carpets and upholstery by using some type of brush attachment with the tool.

Orbital shampooer. This is an orbital or DA tool to which a brush is attached for shampooing.

Now that we have established some common ground concerning word use, we need to determine what is meant by such terms as buffing, compounds, cutting, polishing and swirl removing. Without defining these terms, we will be back where we started.

Glossary of action terms

Buffing, compounding and cutting. These terms refer to the process of using a buffer to correct paint-finish problems such as oxidation, scratching and a dull finish.

Polishing. This term refers to the process of shining and smoothing the paint finish. It can be done as the first step to enhance a good paint finish or to enhance the finish after the buffing process.

Swirl removing. This term refers to the process that follows the buffing process to remove swirls left by the buffing or correction process.

Many detailers refer to these terms interchangeably, but there is a difference between polishing and swirl removing since you can polish a paint finish that does not have any swirls to get a higher shine.

Electric vs. air tools

A mini orbital waxer is an important tool for any detailer.

This controversy has only recently come on the detail scene because most detailers have used only electric buffers and orbitals. This is an interesting fact since almost all automotive service businesses use air tools. Take a look at the shops in your area--repair shops, tire shops, auto body shops, converters, restorers, upholstery shops, trim and restyle shops. Most if not all of them probably use air tools. But look in most detail shops, and you will see the use of electric tools.

Are electric tools any better? Is there something in a detail shop that is different from any of the other auto service businesses that requires the use of electric rather than air? No. In fact, the opposite is true. Water and electricity don't mix, and we often find a lot of water in detail shops. Sometimes detailers even wash the car and engine in the same bay as they detail and finish the paint. How many detail shops have a detailer buffing away with the electric extension cord laying in a puddle of water?

I see three main reasons detailers continue to use electric tools instead of air tools: That's the way they have always done it; they have never tried air tools; and they don't own an air compressor.

Probably the most common reason, in my opinion, is that most detailers could not afford an air compressor so chose to use electric tools. If the detailers are mobile, chances are they could not haul around an air compressor large enough to power an air tool.

Certainly, habit is also a huge factor. Detailers don't like to change their ways. If they have a certain tool, chemical or way of doing something, they stick with it forever. Isn't it scary, however, to think that a doctor who went to medical school 30 years ago would be using only the methods he learned back then? To prevent this, a doctor must log a certain number of seminar hours per year to keep up with the new methods and technologies in medicine. But what about detailers? Many are still using tools, chemicals and pads that were designed and formulated for different paint finishes, different interior materials or chrome trim instead of plastic or aluminum trim.

If I were asked to recommend the use of electric or air tools, I would choose the air tools. They are safer, lighter, smaller, more durable (when oiled daily) and more versatile. You can buff, polish and shampoo.

If you want to learn more about these essential detailing tools, I suggest you get on the Internet and search for electric buffers, electric polishers, air buffers, air polishers, dual-action tools or try any other number of combinations. However, if you stick with my list, you will find about everything you will ever need in the way of electric or air tools for detailing.

Ann Kaiel is the aftermarket sales manger for Detail Plus Appearance Systems. She can be reached at dplus@worldnet.att.net.

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