Harbor Freight 6 Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher Review

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an chapter commission.

This review is written by contributor Stephen 1000. Check out his other reviews hither.

I've been a dyed-in-the-wool automobile enthusiast for more than a decade. Fifty-fifty though I effort to take actress steps as a DIY'er to maintain my vehicles, I have never done much more than wash, clay bar, and wax my rides. Recently, I decided information technology was time for a change and took a footstep into the world of machine polishing.

Later doing some inquiry, I decided to pick up the Harbor Freight 69924 dual action polisher. I purchased the polisher and iii buffing pads for simply over $70, with a coupon.

So, follow along every bit I cut my teeth using a dual action (DA) polisher for the first time.

Why Buy the Harbor Freight DA Polisher?

Simply put, this is ane of the most affordable ways to get into the hobby, and the tool has pretty good online reviews. I'chiliad a complete novice at this, so I didn't know if this was something I'd like or something I'd fifty-fifty be able to exercise. I didn't want to spend big bucks on a premium DA polisher only to chop-chop lose interest in using information technology.

A DA polisher is a skillful selection for beginners as information technology is far less likely to damage paint than something like a rotary buffer.

Initial Impressions

The polisher comes with a pretty consummate kit. Information technology comes with an auxiliary handle, a spindle wrench for removing the polishing pad, an actress prepare of motor brushes, a backing plate, and a tool that can be used to lock the gear in place. I purchased the packaged pads separately.

This polisher has decent build quality. In that location is some noticeable casting flash on the plastic housing, but nothing major. The switch and speed dial seem to be adept quality.

There is some vibration and racket when using the polisher, but nix too bad. I didn't think gloves were necessary, simply I did article of clothing hearing protection.

The backing plate leaves something to exist desired. Information technology is slightly too big to apply with the Harbor Freight buffing pads. The hook and loop section on the backing plate reaches beyond the hook and loop material on the pad, and then information technology chews upward the soft foam.

I came up with a elementary fix and covered the edge of the pad with tape to help preclude information technology from chewing up the buffing pads. This mostly worked, just isn't the best solution. Many users recommend ordering a smaller backing plate if you desire to utilise the Harbor Freight buffing pads.

The First Victim

I've owned this 1999 Nissan Borderland for more than five years. I've taken proficient intendance of information technology, but now it spends most of its days sitting outdoors and the paint definitely shows its age. I decided information technology was the perfect vehicle to learn on, as the pigment looked pretty rough and I wasn't too worried about dissentious it.

I done and clayed the truck to prep information technology and so set to work. I chose ii products to try, including Meguiar's Ultimate Chemical compound for removing swirls and scratches and Meguiar'south 205 shine as a final step. But as you'll see later on, the Ultimate Compound alone left a terminate that was skilful enough for me, so for now I decided to skip the 205.

The Ultimate Chemical compound is currently ~$10 for about a pint, and the 205 Ultra Finishing Polish is ~$22 for a quart, via Amazon.

I won't get much into the methods of using a DA polisher, as at that place are many manufactures almost it online, and I'm likewise still learning the correct procedure. The short explanation of using the DA polisher is that you lot select a pocket-sized surface area of the paint and brand a number of passes alternating management from side-to-side and top-to-bottom. I used the orange cutting pad for this step.

Results

I taped off part of the hood to bear witness the dissimilarity between a polished section and what I started with. The difference is even more than striking in person. The paint went from boring and filled with swirls to much clearer, brighter, and free of swirls. There are some deeper scratches that no amount of polishing will remove.

This is in no fashion a evidence-automobile finish, and I don't wait it to exist, especially because I ultimately skipped the terminal polishing footstep and didn't use the 205 chemical compound. The finish that I accomplished with only the Ultimate Compound was a big comeback that was good enough for this aged vehicle.

I had no idea what to await, but overall I am very impressed with the initial results. I may subsequently choose to apply the 205 compound and see if it could provide further clarity or shine, but even a uncomplicated buffing with the Ultimate Compound greatly removed many swirls and light scratches and improved the shine of the cease.

Is it worth the money?

I am definitely pleased with the quality and performance of the polisher, specially when considering its price, and am also happy with the results I was able to achieve so far. I however have enough of learning to do when it comes to technique and choosing products, but I've at to the lowest degree gotten my feet wet.

The Harbor Freight dual activeness polisher seems like a good starting signal for people similar me who want to acquire the process. I'k sure a higher-end polisher from a make like Flex or Rupes would be superior to this unit, but this is still a good outset polisher for a complete beginner.

Only, this polisher setup isn't perfect. Upgrading to a new bankroll plate would be a practiced pace to have, and some users will probably want pads nicer than the Harbor Freight buffing pads.

suarezbroateretted1960.blogspot.com

Source: https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-69924-dual-action-polisher-review/