Hi All!
Barry here from Shurhold. Thank you to everyone for the great comments on our Buff Magic and our Dual Action Polisher.
Just wanted to put in a couple of helpful tips and comments on this topic.
1. The Dual Action Polisher speed is rated in OPM (Oscillations Per Minute) not RPM like a rotary. So there is no direct comparison between the two. With that said a Rotary by nature is much more aggressive and also much more dangerous to your finish if you are not skilled with one. A skilled detailer will always prefer a rotary since it is more efficient in getting the job done. They also have the skills to prevent burns and swirls. The average boater that is going to detail their boat on their own that does not use a rotary on a regular basis is much better off with a Dual Action Polisher. Here is why:
For Compounding (Buff Magic): It will be much more efficient than doing it by hand and is quite capable machine for light to medium oxidation. A complete novice can do a professional job in these situations. Sometimes with a bit more oxidation a couple more applications might be necessary, but you will get the job done swirl free! (Side Note: You can use Buff Magic and the Polisher to restore fogged headlights on your car!)
For Waxing (Pro Polish): Here there is no difference in efficiency compared to a rotary. The Dual Action Polisher with wax just a quickly and again no fear of burns or swirls. Just a professional shine every time.
As for those $30-$50 orbitals they are really just low powered vibrators. You do not get any real action out of them. Buff Magic will not work properly with them and for waxing you do not get much better results then doing it by hand.
2. I saw a couple of posts about heat being needed to make Buff Magic work. This is not correct. In-fact to much heat can hurt your finish. Rotary burn. The Buff Magic has a proprietary aggregate that works as microfine sand paper suspended in the cream. As you work the product this material fractures and becomes finer and still sharp. Just as if you were switching to finer and finer grit sand paper. This process continues again and again. That is the MAGIC part. Heat has nothing to do with the process. Speed and impact do. This is why if you run your polisher to fast with this product it does not seem to work as well. This is because you are accelerating the breaking down of the aggregate.
Now with Pro Polish heat is another story. A small amount of heat, the amount created from the simple friction of the pad against the surface helps the product bond with the surface of the boat. The heat generated from waxing by hand or with a Dual Action Polisher is plenty. Again, to much heat from a rotary not used properly can actually burn the surface of your boat.
Hope this helps!
As always you can reach us and ask question at :
http://shurhold.com/contact/
Barry Berhoff - President
Shurhold Industries, Inc.
Helping Keep Your Boat Clean N Simple!