Power waxer

Power Waxer Buyer Guide

Many car owners are just too attached to their vehicles to trust anyone but themselves when it comes to cleaning and polishing them. For those DIYers, a power waxer, also known as a rotary buffer or polisher, is a must-have tool in your garage. Not only does it give your car a professional shine, but it also saves you money, time, and energy.

There are many power waxers on the market and choosing the right one can be a daunting task. However we’ve got you covered and made it easy for you by putting together a power waxer buyer guide that includes everything you need to know before making your purchase.

What Is a Power Waxer?

A power waxer in general is a tool used by detailing professionals and car owners alike to clean and polish the paint on a vehicle. It consists of a power drill with an attached accessories that usually consist of a buffer or polishing pad. The power waxer is also equipped with a power cord that plugs into a power outlet. There are also some power waxers that have the option to operate on batteries.

They are designed to make the polishing, waxing, and scratch removal process easier and faster. The power of the machine does most of the work on your cars so you don’t have to.

Is a Power Waxer Better Than Hand Waxing?

While the use of power waxers, polishers, and buffers has been exponentially growing, there are still some people who prefer the simple and old-fashioned way of hand waxing. There might be a number of reasons they choose to do so but power waxing has many benefits over hand waxing, such as:

Faster

Compared to traditional hand car waxing, polishers can provide a much faster experience. Hand car waxing can take anywhere from three to five hours if you are taking your time. Meanwhile, power waxing can be done in as little as one hour.

This is because power waxers only use rotary action. The spinning pads make it easier to evenly apply the wax or polish on the car’s surface. It also helps remove any dirt or debris that might be stuck on the paint which provides seamless results.

The coverage of power waxers is also larger than that of hand waxing. You can power wax the entire car in one go without having to stop and take breaks in between.

More Effective

When hand waxing, it’s easy to miss a spot or apply the wax unevenly. This can result in streaks or missed areas. Power waxers, on the other hand, provide more even coverage and consistent results. Simply follow a single direction and, when you’re done, go over the entire exterior of the vehicle again in the other direction. This will ensure that every spot is power waxed and there are no streaks.

More Cost-Efficient

Power waxers are also more cost-efficient in terms of the amount of wax or polish used. When hand waxing, it’s easy to use too much or too little product. This results in wasted wax and more time spent reapplying. With power waxers, you have more control over the amount of product used.

You can also adjust the speed of the power waxer depending on the type of paint you have and the desired results.

What To Look for When Buying a Power Waxer

Since there are many types of power waxers on the market, it’s important to know what to look for when making your purchase. Here are some factors you should consider:

Buffing Pads

Buffing pads or polishing pads are the round, flat discs that attach to the power waxer. They come in different sizes, materials, and colors. The most common size is the 6-inch pad but there are also power waxers that use 8-inch or even 10-inch pads. Some of the most common materials used for buffing pads are:

  • Foam
  • Compounding
  • Polishing
  • Finishing

Depending on what stage of the power waxing process you are in, you will need to use a different type of buffing pad. You should also consider the pad’s texture, as different textures provide different results.

Wired or Cordless

Power waxers come in two types: those with a power cord and those that operate on batteries. There are benefits and drawbacks to both.

  • Power corded power waxers are more powerful than their cordless counterparts. They don’t need to be recharged as often and can be used for a longer period of time. The power cord, however, can be a bit of a hassle as you need to keep track of it and make sure it doesn’t get tangled.
  • Cordless power waxers are more convenient to use as you don’t have to worry about the power cord. They are also more portable and can be taken with you anywhere. The downside is that they need to be recharged more often and might not be as powerful as power corded power waxers.

Speed Settings

There are different speed settings on each power waxer. The most common are low, medium, and high. Each setting is best suited for different tasks. In most cases, 1000-1200 RPM is the ideal speed for power waxing. You can also adjust the speed depending on the type of paint you have and the desired results. You’ll want to select a power waxer model that can adjust its speed so you don’t have to purchase a new one every time you need to power wax a different type of car.

Price

While price is one of the biggest concerns of many DIYers, it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when buying a power waxer. Since you’ll be using a power waxer for years, it is best to invest in a high-quality power waxer offered by a reputable brand even if it costs a bit more. Many retailers offers discounts when purchased as entire kits that include a number of different accessories. Also, keep in mind that cheaper power waxers might not have all the features you need. So, be sure to read the product description carefully and compare power waxers before making your purchase.

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