Am I polishing wrong? I do it by hand

[bonsai]

I've been reading that most detailers say an orbital buffer is needed to polish a car. I have been using Meguiars 3-step and the polish step I do by hand. I think the result is fantastic, but am I doing it wrong?

I definitely work really really hard when buffing out the polish (I'm a bit OCD and I have to get all those uneven "oily" sections buffed out). My girlfriend tells me that I look like a legitimate crazy person when I'm doing this because I'm buffing so fast and furiously (with a light touch).

I'm usually soaked like I jumped in the pool afterwards, is that why an orbital buffer is recommended? Does the buffer make it easier to get rid of that "oily" look?

I also realized that it might just be because many people don't want to deal with the effort of doing it by hand - I had my friend come over to detail his car alongside mine, and his arms were burning after barely applying the paint cleaner, removing, and applying polish.

[dboy11]

An orbital buffer will give you better results than by hand but you can still get good quality results by hand...work in smaller areas so that you can keep good control over the product...12 x 12 inches, and make sure that you work the product until it is almost gone...this is when the product breaks down and dose the work for you...as for the oily look that is the oils in the product sitting on the surface, the way to get rid of that is a cold water rinse and wipe that up followed with some QD spray..as fro the orbital I would recommend getting one...Coastal Tools online has about the best deal on the Porter Cable and they have them in a package deal comes with some pads and the backing plate that you will need.

There is a ton of info on the web about how to use them, and really they are quite harmless on cars, given that you use good judgment...you can practice on a beater to develop your skills and in no time you will have your BMW looking like new again

[bonsai]

Wow, thanks for the info, dboy11.

I'm just scared of using that buffer and putting more swirl marks into the paint. I guess I might just take the plunge and try it out.

[dboy11]

Wow, thanks for the info, dboy11.

I'm just scared of using that buffer and putting more swirl marks into the paint. I guess I might just take the plunge and try it out.

I know how you feel but really its pretty harmless get one and try it on a beater and trust me, you will be using it on your ride in no time