Need Opinions - How Safe is an Orbital Buffer?

[Davexxxx]

NEVER EVER use a magic eraser on a car...period. It is super aggressive and you will absolutely mar the paint.

Yeah, they must be talking about something different than I know of. I'd never use one on paint I cared about.

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[Evolvd]

OP, I've been exploring car detailing for quite some time now and here's where I'd start:

Get a good decontamination soap such as Car Pro Lift, Armour Detail Supply Decon, etc. If you don't have a pressure washer and foam cannon I would follow the directions for bucket wash and hand wash the car.

Secondly, get a good iron remover. After you rinse off the decon soap, spray one panel at a time with iron remover and let it dwell for 4-5 minutes. Then use a good clay media (syntheic or real) and dunk it in your decon soap bucket for lubrication and wipe the panel vigorously. Rinse and then repeat on each panel. Do not let decon soap or iron remover dry on the surface and avoid using it in sunlight if possible.

GIve the truck another good rinse and inspect for contamination. If you still have the black dots it's most likely tar which then you'd use a good tar and adhesive remover. I like Stoner's for this. Spray it on a microfiber towel and then wipe the panels down. Rinse afterwards and repeat as necessary.

This should clean up the paint without having to touch a polisher.

 

[Aonarch]

You need IronX as well. I'd do a hand wash with a strip soap (Citric), IronX, then clay bar with the same soap as step one. Use some bug and sap remover or specific tar and adhesive remover for the bits still remaining.

Don't use a rotary, they are for pros only.

A DA buffer is much more user friendly, but that would be for correcting the paint.

I like using Carpro Reload as a replacement for wax. Silly easy to apply, way more so than a ceramic coating.

303 Graphene is good too.

 

[DNazzy’s2025]

Just wanted to say thank you everyone for providing so much advice! Yes, a lot was thrown at me, but I appreciate every bit of it. I think I’m gonna start with a good bug and tar remover (Chemical guys) then do an iron remover, then see how things look. I’ll finish it all off with a good Meguiars wax job.

 

[Roush Auto Detailing]

Just wanted to say thank you everyone for providing so much advice! Yes, a lot was thrown at me, but I appreciate every bit of it. I think I’m gonna start with a good bug and tar remover (Chemical guys) then do an iron remover, then see how things look. I’ll finish it all off with a good Meguiars wax job.

do a test spot with iron remover first. No need to waste all the product and money. Give it a minute or so and if it doesn’t turn a purple or red color no need to keep spraying. That means it’s not iron.

I would buy a tar and sap remover. Stoners makes a great aerosol product you can buy at any parts store. Spray it on the panel let it eat for a minute and spray your towel enough to cover a finger tip and work on each dot with bit pressure to let the chemical do the work.

good luck!

 

[Nassau]

Magic eraser? Damn. That’s basically extra fine sandpaper. Never on my vehicles. If it’s tar, one of the tar and bug removers might work. But sanding it off is not a great idea IMO.

One thing I learned recently for pine sap and tree sap removal is methyl hydrate (alcohol). It wipes right off because it dissolves it. It leaves a haze that can be washed with your favourite auto soap.

 

[DNazzy’s2025]

do a test spot with iron remover first. No need to waste all the product and money. Give it a minute or so and if it doesn’t turn a purple or red color no need to keep spraying. That means it’s not iron.

I would buy a tar and sap remover. Stoners makes a great aerosol product you can buy at any parts store. Spray it on the panel let it eat for a minute and spray your towel enough to cover a finger tip and work on each dot with bit pressure to let the chemical do the work.

good luck!

I will be looking for that Stoners product, sounds like that’s gonna work very well. I will report back once I test it out. Thanks!

 

[DNazzy’s2025]

Magic eraser? Damn. That’s basically extra fine sandpaper. Never on my vehicles. If it’s tar, one of the tar and bug removers might work. But sanding it off is not a great idea IMO.

One thing I learned recently for pine sap and tree sap removal is methyl hydrate (alcohol). It wipes right off because it dissolves it. It leaves a haze that can be washed with your favourite auto soap.

I’m super finicky when it comes to my vehicles and how I detail them. A magic eraser won’t be touching my paint either. Good to know about methyl hydrate working for tree sap.

 

[Evolvd]

I will be looking for that Stoners product, sounds like that’s gonna work very well. I will report back once I test it out. Thanks!

It’s also great for stripping the brown oxidized layer from your tires. Gives you a nice flat black base to apply new tire dressings.

 

[DNazzy’s2025]

It’s also great for stripping the brown oxidized layer from your tires. Gives you a nice flat black base to apply new tire dressings.

Interesting, great to know also!

 

[Evolvd]

Interesting, great to know also!

When you use this product, spray it on a rag and not directly on the tires. Also, this is a once-in-awhile use for when you need to strip the tires for new dressing. That brown oxidation is caused by the manufacturer process to protect the rubber from deterioration and UV damage and over stripping can cause the rubber to degrade faster.

 

[DNazzy’s2025]

Got it, words of wisdom. Appreciate it!

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