PSA - Harbor Freight DA (Random Orbital) Polisher < $50

squidlyboy · 11-13-2014, 01:45 AM

Hey guys -

I just noticed that the Harbor Freight Dual Action / Random Orbital Polisher just went on sale for $57. If you apply the 20% coupon that you can find pretty much anywhere, you can get it for $45.60 + tax. I have no idea how long the sale is going to last for. I just noticed it on the front page of their website tonight.

I know everyone swears by Porter Cable 7424XP, but at almost 1/3 of the cost, its a great way for new detailing enthusiasts to get into the game without breaking the bank. The features of the HF DA polisher is almost identical to the PC.

I just recently purchased one myself, but i paid $67 for it. After the coupon, it was just a little over $50. Not a big difference - and I love mine. I didn't read any of the reviews before i bought it as i just happened to be browsing in the store one day when i saw it and decided to pick it up. But i went online afterwards and was pleasantly surprised how great the ratings were. Any many of the reviewers also compared it to the PC which they used before and were surprised how well it stacked up against it. Check it out:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-Va...ODkwNyJ9%0D%0A

Anyways, anyone looking to pick up an inexpensive, but decent quality DA polisher should consider this one. I've only done some incidental polishing with it so far, but i've been very pleased with it so far. I've bought a bunch of different pads (size and firmness) along with trying out different polishes and i'm happy to report that everything a PC can do, this HF polisher can do as well. Everything is compatible.

The only thing that sucks is the 6" polishing pads that HF sells has a velcro backing on their pads that is slightly smaller (~5.5") than the backing plate (~5.75") on the polisher. This causes the foam pad to shred around the edges from what i hear. But thats the pads they sell and nothing against the polisher. I've since purchased different pads online that have a full 6" backing velcro pads, so everything is dandy.

I'm planning a full 2-step cut/polish in the next few weeks when i want to seal my paint, so i'll have a better idea how well it will hold up then.

Enjoy

retiredmarine · 11-13-2014, 09:34 AM

cool ill check it out

instalher · 12-20-2014, 01:13 PM

its a great deal for the weekend warrior, its got a light duty motor, and all parts are made of genuine imitation plastic..lol... if using sparingly perfect, but don't expect it to last if you are going to be doing car after car after car..

OdinAutoDetailing · 12-22-2014, 04:31 PM

Detailing professionally... I have no shame in admitting I use this tool ALL THE TIME, on dozens of cars, with no issues. I also have $400 DAs and other very expensive machines, and this still gets used every detail for something or other. I would recommend switching to a 5" Lake Country backing plate and just using the LC Flat Pads, very very durable forgiving beginner setup.

StealYourFace · 01-20-2015, 06:20 AM

my father bought one for shits, it felt very heavy to me. Ive got bad hands, no way I could use it.

smithf80 · 01-23-2015, 06:33 AM

I've been using mine for over 2 years without issue. As OdinAutoDetailing said if you get one of these just changing the backing pad out and you will be fine. I've achieved amazing corrections with this thing.

mbanks21 · 01-26-2015, 11:01 AM

I've been using this for about 2 years now and for the price you can NOT beat it. I've done maybe 30-40 cars (friends and family mostly) but it works like a charm.

Dippydo · 02-25-2015, 11:10 AM

Holee cow I was wondering about this thing last week when I saw it. I was looking at buying the Griot kit but didn't know if this is the same type of polisher or a high speed one. So this one from HF is the real deal and can be used by beginners?

squidlyboy · 02-25-2015, 11:29 AM

i'm super happy with mine. I've done the whole car (painted areas), b-pillar trims, headlights, glass/windshield. works like a champ. i'm waiting for the wheels to fall off of it (due to deceptively low price), but so far, no signs of slowing down. I've found the pads make the biggest difference in how good/clean/quality of a polish you can get. don't use the HF 6" pads - they will fray and get destroyed after a few uses due to the difference in size between the pad and backing plate.

smithf80 · 02-25-2015, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidlyboy

i'm super happy with mine. I've done the whole car (painted areas), b-pillar trims, headlights, glass/windshield. works like a champ. i'm waiting for the wheels to fall off of it (due to deceptively low price), but so far, no signs of slowing down. I've found the pads make the biggest difference in how good/clean/quality of a polish you can get. don't use the HF 6" pads - they will fray and get destroyed after a few uses due to the difference in size between the pad and backing plate.

Mines 2 years going strong.

DO NOT USE ANY HF PADS OR BACKING PLATE

Your detailing results will suck if you use bad pads.

Order the Lake Country pads and backing plate.

11-13-2014, 01:45 AM	#1
squidlyboy Major 570 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White 328i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chandler, Arizona iTrader: (0)	PSA - Harbor Freight DA (Random Orbital) Polisher < $50 Hey guys - I just noticed that the Harbor Freight Dual Action / Random Orbital Polisher just went on sale for $57. If you apply the 20% coupon that you can find pretty much anywhere, you can get it for $45.60 + tax. I have no idea how long the sale is going to last for. I just noticed it on the front page of their website tonight. I know everyone swears by Porter Cable 7424XP, but at almost 1/3 of the cost, its a great way for new detailing enthusiasts to get into the game without breaking the bank. The features of the HF DA polisher is almost identical to the PC. I just recently purchased one myself, but i paid $67 for it. After the coupon, it was just a little over $50. Not a big difference - and I love mine. I didn't read any of the reviews before i bought it as i just happened to be browsing in the store one day when i saw it and decided to pick it up. But i went online afterwards and was pleasantly surprised how great the ratings were. Any many of the reviewers also compared it to the PC which they used before and were surprised how well it stacked up against it. Check it out: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-Va...ODkwNyJ9%0D%0A Anyways, anyone looking to pick up an inexpensive, but decent quality DA polisher should consider this one. I've only done some incidental polishing with it so far, but i've been very pleased with it so far. I've bought a bunch of different pads (size and firmness) along with trying out different polishes and i'm happy to report that everything a PC can do, this HF polisher can do as well. Everything is compatible. The only thing that sucks is the 6" polishing pads that HF sells has a velcro backing on their pads that is slightly smaller (~5.5") than the backing plate (~5.75") on the polisher. This causes the foam pad to shred around the edges from what i hear. But thats the pads they sell and nothing against the polisher. I've since purchased different pads online that have a full 6" backing velcro pads, so everything is dandy. I'm planning a full 2-step cut/polish in the next few weeks when i want to seal my paint, so i'll have a better idea how well it will hold up then. Enjoy Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-13-2014, 09:34 AM	#2
retiredmarine Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 2014 328i msport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Corpus Christi iTrader: (0)	cool ill check it out
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-20-2014, 01:13 PM	#3
instalher 25cent millionaire 252 Rep 1,220 Posts Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert Join Date: May 2011 Location: saskatoon iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 bmw [0.00] [9.00] [0.00] [9.50] 2018 bmw 230i xdrive [8.50]	its a great deal for the weekend warrior, its got a light duty motor, and all parts are made of genuine imitation plastic..lol... if using sparingly perfect, but don't expect it to last if you are going to be doing car after car after car..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2014, 04:31 PM	#4
OdinAutoDetailing Glorified Car Washer 13 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2014 328i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Detailing professionally... I have no shame in admitting I use this tool ALL THE TIME, on dozens of cars, with no issues. I also have $400 DAs and other very expensive machines, and this still gets used every detail for something or other. I would recommend switching to a 5" Lake Country backing plate and just using the LC Flat Pads, very very durable forgiving beginner setup.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-20-2015, 06:20 AM	#5
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	my father bought one for shits, it felt very heavy to me. Ive got bad hands, no way I could use it. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2015, 06:33 AM	#6
smithf80 Major General 2810 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	I've been using mine for over 2 years without issue. As OdinAutoDetailing said if you get one of these just changing the backing pad out and you will be fine. I've achieved amazing corrections with this thing. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2015, 11:01 AM	#7
mbanks21 Colonel 1269 Rep 2,958 Posts Drives: 2015 335i MSport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: High Bridge, NJ iTrader: (8)	I've been using this for about 2 years now and for the price you can NOT beat it. I've done maybe 30-40 cars (friends and family mostly) but it works like a charm.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2015, 11:10 AM	#8
Dippydo Lieutenant Colonel 230 Rep 1,554 Posts Drives: 2023 M8 Comp Join Date: May 2013 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW [1.00]	Holee cow I was wondering about this thing last week when I saw it. I was looking at buying the Griot kit but didn't know if this is the same type of polisher or a high speed one. So this one from HF is the real deal and can be used by beginners?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2015, 11:29 AM	#9
squidlyboy Major 570 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White 328i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chandler, Arizona iTrader: (0)	i'm super happy with mine. I've done the whole car (painted areas), b-pillar trims, headlights, glass/windshield. works like a champ. i'm waiting for the wheels to fall off of it (due to deceptively low price), but so far, no signs of slowing down. I've found the pads make the biggest difference in how good/clean/quality of a polish you can get. don't use the HF 6" pads - they will fray and get destroyed after a few uses due to the difference in size between the pad and backing plate.
	Appreciate 0 Quote