DeWalt Buffer Review
Why this buffer might be the one

The DeWalt Buffer represents one of the industry's top picks of high-speed car buffers and polishers. I personally rank it as one of my top picks when it comes to professional grade car polishers.

For many people the choice can be a difficult one. Especially if you're  a beginner and you don't even know what you don't know.

That's one of the greatest challenges as a beginner is the inability to know good from great.

In my professional opinion, the DeWalt buffer is great!

For me personally at a professional level, the two things that make  this such a great buffer are the power and the ergonomics (it feels good in the hands as you are using it).

DEWALT Buffer/Polisher on Amazon

The heavy duty power this work-horse has is especially appreciated whenever I am working on boats.

Restoring the gelcoat on heavily oxidized boats require so much power and this buffer really performs. It also has many other features that will make your life with this buffer that much better:

• Rubber-coated gearcase for improved grip comfort (for times when you are resting an controlling the front of the buffer by holding the front gear assembly)
• Speed control via trigger pressure
• Large dial for easy speed adjustment
• Replaceable shields prevent wool ingestion
• No-volt release switch for safety
• Rubber-coated back handle for comfort
• Large spindle lock for easy pad changes
• Pop-off brushes protect armature, extending motor life

Darren's Note: One of the things I really appreciate in these newer buffer versions is the lower operating speeds of 600 RPM. Back when I first learned how to use a rotary buffer the lowest speed was about 1000 RPMs.

This low operating speed makes the learning curve much easier and also provides a very easy "jeweling" experience when performing the last stages of polishing.

Rotary vs. Random Orbital

Before you can decide on the top rated car buffer for yourself, many people will be unsure in deciding between the rotary (high-speed) buffer and the random orbital car buffer.

If you are planning on doing detailing versus paint an body I would definitely recommend you consider a DA buffer if this is the first buffer you are thinking of getting.

My simple answer is that any beginner detailer will likely be happier with the winning balance of a top-rated random orbital. If you are unsure as to which car polisher is the right choice for you and your world, see my Car Buffers Review: picking the best buffer for yourself.

DeWalt Buffer Alternative

Being in the world of professional auto detailing for over 3 decades, I started my detailing career long before dual action, random orbital car polishers existed like the one's of today.

I went through various rotary polishers before landing on the Dewalt as my "go-to" car buffer.

Until....

Milwaukee Cordless Buffer Kit on Amazon

The dawn of a new era is upon us and gaining more and more momentum. It is called the age of cordless. It seems that everything is going to battery powered operation and "unleashing" from the cord.

Until you try a cordless power tool, it is hard to realize how much time and effort goes into managing a power cord. And by managing I mean for both practical and safety reasons.

• My newest "go-to" when it comes to a rotary car buffer
• Quality built through and through
• Has more power than I ever need regardless of the type of polishing required in the moment (car, boat, RV)
• I have owned and been using one over 3 years now and was officially hire by Milwaukee to showcase this at the massive tool expo held each year in Orlando, Florida. (since then I have not had a single problem or complaint with  this amazing buffer)
  

Darren's Note: Yes, everything in life comes with trade-offs and the cordless tools are mno expection. Based on your buffing needs, you will need extra batteries if you plan on buffing for hours at a time. 

And yes, this represents additional investment in the form of additional batteries so you never have to stop working due to battery charge times.

Personally I have never gone back to a corded buffer due to the ultra-convenience of never having to wrestle with any cord. But only you can decide this.

The DeWalt Buffer Tips from Darren:
Whether you use the DeWalt of the Milwaukee

The auto body and collision repair world is dominated by rotary buffers due to their speed. Nothing can out-perform the efficiency of a rotary polisher, and no dual-action car buffer is going to meet the demands of the auto body and collision repair industry.

The world of detailing is a different animal dominated by a different mind-set. The constraints of business are very different between the two worlds despite both worlds needing to polish car paint.

If you plan on reaching the top level of all forms of polishing and the ability to work on anything from car, boat, or RV, you are going to have to step up to a rotary

But I get it...

There is still a lot of fear associated with these rotary, high-speed car polishers. And the DeWalt buffer is one of them. The industry has responded by making these polishers not only variable speed, but have a very low operating speed that can be set to 600 RPM's.

If you are unfamiliar with high-speed car polishers; this is incredibly low. And what this means specifically is a few key points:

• Any beginner can now get a rotary polisher and start off safely and slowly (literally) by setting the polisher to 600 RPM's.
• Since the DeWalt Buffer can be dialed down and set to such a low speed, you can now do what is called finish polishing, or "jeweling"....or simply start slowly as you gain confidence at the beginning if you are an actual beginner. (the Milwaukee also has a very low starting speed)
  
• This ultra low operating speed allows for a truly hologram and swirl free finish if you also adjust down the polishing pad to a foam pad, along with a finishing polish.
  

Darren's Tips: Despite what might appear like I have just talked you into a DeWalt polisher, I still feel that most guys starting out will ultimately want a top rated orbital (Dual action) car buffer as their first experience in car polishing. For this reason I still recommend most beginners choose form one of my top rated random orbital car buffers.

Not to add confusion to you, but having taught and trained so many guys over my career, it is a theme that continues to reveal itself. And ultimately if you stick with car polishing for any length of time, you will not be able to help yourself and will continue to buy additional car buffers.

And if you go onto developing your own car detailing business, then speed will become a big factor and nothing but a rotary polisher has the ability to "cut to the chase" like a rotary buffer can!

Paying It Forward

Now that you have become one of the minority in this world called the informed, do me a favor and pay this page forward to any of your forums, social media, or Facebook groups.

I thank you in advance,

Darren Priest