Power buffer or hand?

[Ghoste]

We seem to talk fairly often about what type of finish care products we prefer but seldom about how to use them.  Whats your preferred application method?

[A383Wing]

hand...you can get too rough with a power buffer and burn the paint easy...no matter how careful you are

[lukedukem]

Even though I don't have a nice clear oat paint job, I hand wax my truck. I know it pretty big with a lot of area to cover. But I find it easier to control my hand movement and pressure than a powered tool. Plus for some reason I find it more rewarding.  But you won't catch me hand drilling holes into metal. I'll opt for a power drill. 

Luke

[gsniegow]

It all depends...  If there are swirls that are annoying me I will use the dual orbital buffer to knock them out.  If it's just a coat of protection and shine, then I stick with my hands.  I use Zaino which is so unbelievably easy that any machine work would be too much overkill.

~Gene

[twodko]

I use both too. I own a simple 12" pad Sears Craftsman random orbital buffer that I use very lightly on the sides
of my car but never close to ANY body lines. Around those and the hood/trunk they always get buffed by hand.

[bill440rt]

I voted Combo. It all depends what needs to be done.

The only time I touch a rotary buffer is buffing after color sanding, or if the finish on a vehicle is so bad there is no other choice.
If I feel there are some swirls that need to be taken care of I will use a random orbital with some polish or glaze & a foam pad.
I tried the random orbital with wax & a foam pad for wax, but with the waxes I use I seem to get better results by hand.

[Silver R/T]

Only thing I apply by hand is wax, for everything else I use buffer.

[Cooter]

Depends. Most times, I don't wax with a buffer. But if I see a blemish, I'll cut it down with my Makita.

[1974dodgecharger]

 Machine for me... Nothing fancy just meguiars D/A polisher.....