For two decades, I’ve been immersed in the art of car painting and buffing, personally working on close to 5,000 vehicles. Over this extensive period, I’ve experimented with a wide array of polisher systems. While I still occasionally employ a 200mm rotary polisher from brands like Hitachi or Makita, paired with a twisted wool pad for tackling heavily damaged paint, I’ve found a superior solution for achieving truly exceptional results in most scenarios.
That solution is the Cyclo twin head polisher. My personal Cyclo, a testament to its durability, is a 15-year-old 110V model, efficiently powered via a step-down transformer in my 240V workspace. This machine has consistently delivered unmatched performance without fail.
The secret to the Cyclo’s effectiveness as a premier Tool For Buffing Cars lies in its 8mm orbit. This orbit size is meticulously engineered to strike the perfect balance: aggressive enough for effective paint correction when needed, yet refined enough to consistently produce a swirl-free finish during polishing. Its capabilities in paint correction are remarkable – only marginally slower than a rotary polisher, but offering significantly enhanced control and a more gradual approach. In my extensive use, I’ve only buffed through the paint layer twice with this machine, a testament to its control, especially considering the often-challenging paint conditions of vehicles I encounter.
For the majority of vehicles, unless subjected to extreme environmental fallout and neglect, the use of clay bars is often redundant, especially with the advancements in modern buffing pads.
To maximize the potential of the Cyclo as your go-to tool for buffing cars, I recommend utilizing a system of three distinct foam pad sets. While I personally use locally manufactured pads, genuine Cyclo pads are reputable, though potentially pricier in some markets. Other high-quality brands also perform admirably. The essential pad system includes:
- A hard set: Designed for the initial cutting stage to remove imperfections.
- A medium hardness set: Ideal for the polishing stage to refine the finish.
- A soft foam set: For the final finishing stage, ensuring a deep, swirl-free gloss.
Complementing these pads, the choice of compounds and polishes is crucial. For the cutting stage, I rely on 3D Extra Cut compound, although several Meguiar’s products are also excellent choices. For the subsequent polishing and finishing stages, I prefer Gelson T47 for lighter paint colors and T57 for darker shades. These polymer polishes excel at eliminating even the most minute scratches and provide a protective layer that surpasses traditional waxes in longevity, approaching ceramic-level performance without their inherent drawbacks. In my experience, waxes simply cannot match the durability, gloss, and protection offered by quality polymer polishes, making them an unnecessary step in my car buffing process.
