What is the difference between car buffer and polisher?

There is no difference, as 'buffing' is a direct synonym for 'polishing'. So a buffer is a polisher.

Cyclo Polisher
There are polishers made for just the final polish, such as this Cyclo, a design which dates back to the 1950s, and which is an icon within the detailing industry. Still available from Rupes.

With that said, some people will use the words slightly differently, with 'polishing' meant as a final polish, where 'buffing' can be used for the cutting process. When stated like that, there is a difference between machines which you might use for initial cutting and less powerful machines which gently give a finish.

If you have a very powerful machine polisher, which is random orbital and has plenty of torque, you can turn down the power and use it to complete the entire process. However, polishing machines might not have the power to be effective when using heavier compounds or products which require heat produced by friction.

Many motor accessory shops will sell machines polishers for enthusiasts, which are designed to give a light polish and take some of the work out of hand polishing. They can be used both for applying and removing light hand polishes as well as waxes. They can even use a carpet brush attachment in some instances. Good quality, sturdily built polishers are a wonderful machine to have, but are not powerful enough to do heavy-duty work.

Written by . Last updated 05/01/2023 15:48