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The Dual Action Porter Cable Buffer (DAPC)

This machine is a favorite among professional detailers and has become more popular with the weekend car buff. Any machine can be intimidating, fear sets in and all you can think of is the destruction it may cause. Well relax, take a break, and listen up, here are simple guidelines so you can overcome that fear and be on your way to working like a pro. First, you must understand that the term “dual action” represents the motion of this unit, the pad rotates and oscillates on its axis, which means it doesn’t build up heat like a high speed rotary buffer. Porter Cable is a name brand of one that is most popular. The old school technology of this same concept can be compared to the old Sears machine. The new DAPC can’t be compared to the old one, it’s light, has Velcro back plates for ease of pad changes, has a variable speed setting, and best of all can accommodate the new foam pads. I always suggest going to a body shop in your area and asking for a small body part to practice on. They pay big money to have their metal hauled away so they will be glad to give you a part. Wash, clay, clean and prep the surface properly. The pads for this machine are available wherever you buy the machine, they come is different colors which achieve different results. Example -- yellow for cutting, tan for polishing, and white for finishing. Note that different manufactures have their own color chart, so a tan pad from one company may be a polishing pad, while a tan pad from another might be finishing. There is no universal color chart, so stay with one company and note their use. Since the motion of this machine doesn’t build up heat like a high speed, it is limited on the degree of correction it can produce. I will note that it is intended for applying paint cleaners, polishes, and sealants (liquid wax as well). It won’t remove swirl marks, but it can “fill in” some to the degree that they are less noticeable. Don’t use any compounds with it, as compounds need the heat of the high speed to break down the material. The DAPC has a speed setting of 1,000 (low) up to 6,000 (high) rpm’s. For applying cleaners I would set between 2000-3000; for polishing 2000; and for finishing 1000 (or low).
Here is what I would start off with -- Paint cleaner and a paint sealant. Use either a yellow pad (cleaning) or a polishing pad. Make sure you never let the pad touch the ground. Have your micro fiber towel handy, an extension cord for the machine so you can move around with ease, and a wax foam applicator pad (for areas the machine won’t reach). Put a small amount of product on the buffer pad, lay the pad on the surface, turn the machine on and slowly move it around in all directions while it’s spinning. When you see the product start to disappear or dry out, stop the machine, put it down with the pad side up, wipe surface with a MF towel. Work in small sections at a time; make sure after you buff one section, follow up and wipe. Many cleaners and polishes become difficult to remove if they dry out. In a short time, you will feel at ease using the DAPC. Don’t press too hard on the surface; let the machine do the work. Move around at a slow enough pace to work the product around. This is important, when you start to notice the pad getting dirty, stop, the pad needs to be cleaned. Doing a whole car and not cleaning your pads will only introduce problems in the finish. Take the pad off the machine, spray the pad with some all purpose cleaner, rinse well under medium hot water and squeeze. Put the pad back on the buffer, turn the setting at HIGH, hold the buffer low to the ground (and away from the car) turn it on for a few sections. It will spin dry. Change the setting and go back to work. I use this machine for recent model cars with only minor or no surface defects. Since our Cruisers are no more than a few years old, this machine will work great. I only use it to apply product not remove. I prefer to use a MF towel to feel and inspect the surface as I’m going along. When you are applying sealant, do the same process, but use less product. You only want a thin layer on the finish, apply sealant over the entire car with buffer, let it sit for around 20 minutes, then remove with a MF towel, If you follow these steps, you will have an award winning finish that will last a long time. For specific information as it pertains to your car, you can always e-mail me through my web site at www.perfectautofinish.com.
Gary