Dual action polishers are great for beginners and amateur detailers. They are forgiving and easy to learn on. They get the job done, while minimizing the risk that you’ll do damage to the vehicle that you are polishing.
There are two main types of polishers. There’s the dual action, and then there is variable speed rotary. We recommend the dual action for a beginner. It’s much more forgiving (harder to eat through the clear coat). The variable speed model is what most professionals use.
If you plan on getting into auto detailing as a profession, you should still learn on a dual action polisher. The thing with auto detailing, and polishers in general, is that using them is as much of an art as it is anything else. An expensive dual action polisher is not going to significantly improve the shine that you put on your car vs a cheap one at first. You will need to learn the craft. Picking out the best dual action polisher for you should be secondary to learning.
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Best Dual Action Polishers Under $100
Top of the Line: Polishers Under $300
How to Use a Dual Action Polisher
Picking a Polish for Your DA Polisher
Budget Picks: Best Dual Action Polishers Under $100
If your goal is to use the polisher a few times a year on your own vehicle, you may very well be able to get away with using a dual action polisher under $100. Here are some of the best options in that price range:
Black and Decker 6″ Random Orbit Waxer/Polisher
This dual action polisher may be all that you need if you are just trying to give your own vehicle a quick and dirty detailing. It does seem to lose the polishing pads rather easily though.
- Random-Orbit Action Assures A Uniform Finish - Fast For The Car Polisher
- Comfortable Two-Handle Design Of The Variable Speed Polisher Reduces Fatigue
- 10 Ft. Cord For Great Mobility
- Includes Foam Applicator For Easily Applying Wax Or Polish
Maxshine M8S Dual Action Polisher
There’s a lot to love about the Maxshine M8S. It has a 900W engine. It’s lightweight and easy to use. And, for under $100 dollars, it’s a great deal.
It doesn’t have a dedicated handle like many dual action polishers on this list, but it still gets the job done at a good price.
- POWERFUL ENGINE: Maxshine 8mm orbit 900W DA polisher improved efficiency guarantees more power and torque on any surface, make your car detailing process easier, more efficient and achieve the swirl-free, scratch-free, debris-free results at the same time
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: Exquisite design and soft-touch head cover make your car detailing experience more comfortable and convenient
- IMPROVED SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM: Adjustable speed dial from 2,500 to 6,500/min speed range ensures more flexible compound and trustful final polishing
- EXCELLENT POWER CORD: 3m extension to strengthen the power cord, anti-fall, anti-drug, long distance operation more convenient
Best Dual Action Polisher’s Under $300
For less than $300 dollars, you can get a dual action polisher that will last you a lifetime. Here are some of the best choices:
Porter Cable Variable Speed Polisher
The Porter Cable 7424XP has been around for a long time, and is a go to for many professionals. It’s only 5 and half pounds, which means that it won’t feel heavy in the hands even if you are using it all day.
The 7424XP also has full ball and roller bearing construction, which means years of reliability. It may be the only dual action polisher that you ever need to buy. It is built a lot like a grinder, with a removable handle that can go on both sides of the machine.
- The Car Polisher Is 4.5 Amp, Ac Only
- The Variable Speed Polisher Features Electronic Variable-Speed Dial 2,500-6,800 Opm
- Random Orbit, Swirl-Free Sanding/Polishing Action
- Includes 5-Inch Proprietary Counter Balance For Use With 6-Inch Sanding/Polishing Pad
Griot’s Garage 6″ Dual Action Random Orbital Polisher
Griot’s 6″ dual action polisher feels great in the hand. The rubber grip is comfortable. It’s probably the most comfortable dual action polisher on the list. It’s powerful with a 850 watt motor.
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Meguiar’s MT300
The Meguiar’s MT300 feels great in the hand. It is a dual action buffer designed by a company that knows car detailing. Every inch of it just feels right. It can run all the way up to 7500 orbits per minute, which makes this one of the fastest buffers on the market.
If you are serious about what you do, then this buffer is a great option. It has active torque management, which makes it a lot harder for you to get into trouble.
- EASY CAR BUFFING: 1 Meguiar's MT300 Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher, car polisher and car scratch remover engineered to deliver the best results when compounding, polishing or waxing your car
- MULTI-BEARING DESIGN: Billet counterweight with multi-bearing design ensures smooth, precision balance
- DIGITAL TORQUE MANAGEMENT: Electronically adjusts torque needed to maintain loaded speed level
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: Orbital polisher features a multi-position D handle and a thumb-adjustable speed dial for improved comfort and control
- COMPATIBILITY: Works with DBP3, DBP5 and DBP6 backing plates for 3-, 5- and 6-inch discs
Using a Dual Action Polisher
If you plan on getting into auto detailing as a profession, you should still learn on a dual action polisher. The thing with auto detailing, and polishers in general, is that it’s as much art as it is anything else.
An expensive dual action polisher is not going to significantly improve the shine of your car vs a cheap one at first. You will need to learn the craft. Here’s a great video that shows you how to use one from Meguiar’s:
Choosing a Polish for a Dual Action Polisher
Once you have your polisher picked out, you’ll need to pick out a polish. This is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to pick a cutting compound and a finishing compound. There are all in one compounds that are supposed to do both the cutting and finishing. Those are for rookies. Don’t buy them.
Cutting Compound
A cutting compound is abrasive and feels slightly gritty in your fingers. This grit is what “cuts” the clearcoat. There are a lot of different options out there when it comes to cutting compound. Just make sure that you keep the brand consistent the whole time. For instance if you buy a Meguiar’s cutting compound, you’d buy the complimentary finishing compound as well.
You’ll also need to get a cutting pad for your dual action polisher, as well as a finishing pad.
Finishing Compound
A finishing compound uses tiny particles and cleaners, as well as sealers to seal up the micro scratches that the cutting compound made. It also needs its own finishing pad.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great polishers on this list. If we had to pick just one, we’d recommend the Porter Cable 7424XP. It’s a serious machine that’ll get the job done right, while not costing a fortune. Thanks for reading. If there is anything that you would like to add, please feel free to leave a comment below.