Angle grinder attachments for surface preparation. Angle grinder polishing attachment

Angle grinder attachments for surface preparation

An angle grinder is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of projects. The different angle grinder attachments allow the tool to be used for different tasks. The most common type of attachment for an angle grinder is a grinding disc. These discs come in a variety of sizes and can be used to grind down metal, concrete, or even stone.

Other common attachments for an angle grinder include abrasive discs, wire brushes, and polishing pads. However, there is a surprising amount of attachment that you can use to transform your angle grinder and transform it into the exact tool you need.

• I. Wire brushes

• 1. Knotted wire wheel brush
• 2. Knotted wire cup brush
• 3. Crimped wire cup brush

• 1. Aluminum oxide sanding discs
• 2. Zirconia sanding discs
• 3. Ceramic sanding discs
• 4. Flap sanding discs

• 1. Fabric polishing and buffing pads
• 2. Fiber buffing wheels
• 3. Felt polishing wheels

• 1. Non-woven abrasive wheels
• 2. Poly stripping discs

Wire brushes

Wire brushes for angle grinders are versatile angle grinder attachments that can be used for a variety of applications. They are commonly used to remove rust, paint, and debris from metal surfaces. You can thus use them for preparing surfaces for welding, painting, and more.

Knotted wire wheel brush

A knotted wire wheel is composed of loops of steel wires. If you’re working on a particularly stubborn patch of rust or old paint, this kind of wire brush is your best bet. It’s also suitable for cleaning up narrow surfaces, making it one of the best choices for cleaning up pipes and preparing them for welding and painting.

Knotted wire cup brush

Like the knotted wire wheel brush, the knotted wire cup brush is best used for removing material from surfaces. However, this wire brush is more suited for larger metal surfaces. You can also choose from a range of wire thicknesses depending on what you need the brush for. Thicker wires provide a coarse finish, while thinner wires provide a smoother finish.

Crimped wire cup brush

If you’re not dealing with thick or stubborn rust or paint, a crimped wire brush will probably serve you well. It’s best for light-duty to medium-duty surface preparation jobs. Thus, if you have to remove years’ worth of rust or paint, this attachment isn’t the one you should use. However, for thinner layers of material, this type of wire brushes for angle grinders is more suitable.

Sanding discs

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to sand down wood, metal, or plastic, then you need a good angle grinder and some quality sanding discs. Sanding discs come in a variety of sizes, grits, and materials, so you’ll have a variety of options to choose from. Just make sure to choose the right size angle grinder sanding disc for your angle grinder, as well as the right kind of disc for the job at hand.

Aluminum oxide sanding discs

There is a variety of sanding discs on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. Aluminum oxide sanding discs are versatile and reliable, which means that they’re widely used for a variety of projects. They’re suitable for use on wood and metal, and they’re made with a durable and long-lasting abrasive material.

You can use them for removing finishes, shaping wood, and preparing surfaces for staining or painting. Aluminum oxide sanding discs come in a variety of sizes and grits, so you can find the perfect one for your project.

Zirconia sanding discs

Zirconia sanding discs have a long lifespan and can be used on a variety of materials, making them a great choice for your next project. Additionally, zirconia is harder than aluminum oxide, making it ideal for tougher sanding jobs.

Another thing that works in a zirconia sanding disc’s favor is that it’s more heat-resistant. Because of this, it’s a good choice for use with power tools. You can set your angle grinder to higher speeds without having to worry as much about overheating. Thus, if you’re looking for an abrasive that can stand up to even the most challenging applications, a zirconia angle grinder sanding disc is a great choice.

Ceramic sanding discs

When it comes to sanding discs, there are many different options to choose from. Ceramic sanding discs are one option that can offer a lot of advantages. These discs are typically made from a strong and durable ceramic material, and they’re best suited for tougher jobs.

In addition, ceramic sanding discs can be less likely to clog than other types of discs. This can make them a good option for those who are working on projects that require a lot of sanding. They can work harder and faster than other kinds of sanding discs, and they can also last longer.

Flap sanding discs

While other sanding discs are used for removing material from surfaces, flap sanding discs can take you one step further. Not only are they used for surface preparation and cleaning, but they can also be used to shape metal.

These discs are composed of multiple overlapping abrasive flaps that allow you to make a metal surface conform to a shape you want. They’ll also leave a smooth finish, so you won’t have to spend much more time or effort on polishing or smoothening the surface.

Buffing and polishing attachments

Buffing and polishing angle grinder attachments are important accessories in the world of auto detailing and various other fields. In general, buffing pads are used to apply a polishing compound to the paint surface, while polishing wheels are used to remove excess materials and create a high-gloss finish.

There are a few different types of buffing pads and polishing wheels available on the market today. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making a purchase.

Fabric polishing and buffing pads

If you’re looking for an easy way to polish up metal surfaces, you can’t go wrong with a fabric polishing and buffing pad for your angle grinder. These pads are designed to fit onto the end of your angle grinder, and they can be made of different kinds of fabric. Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to use, so they’re a great option for anyone who wants to add a little extra polish to their projects.

When it comes to finishing off a project with an angle grinder, buffing pads are a must. They help to create a smooth, even finish on your workpiece. However, it’s important to make sure that the buffing pad you’re using is suitable for the material you are working with. Additionally, make sure to choose a pad that’s the appropriate size for your angle grinder.

Fiber buffing wheels

A fiber buffing wheel for angle grinder models is similar to its fabric counterparts, but it’s made of cellular fiber material. Thus, unlike fabric buffing wheels, fiber buffing wheels are abrasive and can also remove grease from a surface. You can use these buffing wheels to clean up dirty surfaces before polishing, painting, or finishing them. They’re typically the first buffing pad you’ll use before the other ones.

Felt polishing wheels

Felt has medium hardness and is typically made of wool. For the most part, felt polishing wheels are quite versatile and can be used with different kinds of buffing compounds. Because these polishing wheels aren’t too specialized, you’ll be able to use them on a variety of surfaces. You can also use them on hard-to-reach spots to make sure that your workpiece is 100% prepped and finished.

Surface preparation attachments

Angle grinders are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of surface preparation tasks. Common applications include removing paint, rust, or other debris from a surface, as well as smoothing or shaping edges. Additionally, angle grinders can be used to create a smooth finish on a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.

In addition, angle grinders can be used to quickly remove weld spatter and scale from steel surfaces. When using an angle grinder for surface preparation, it is important to select the correct abrasive disc and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for safe operation.

Non-woven abrasive wheels

Non-woven abrasive wheels are made of a combination of materials, including synthetic materials and natural fabrics, that are bound by resin adhesives. These wheels work faster than older types of abrasive attachments, while also being more affordable.

In general, you should use a non-woven abrasive wheel if you want to remove paint or coating without damaging or scratching the surface underneath. If you want something that can remove more material, however, you can choose a non-woven abrasive wheel with a tighter weave.

Poly stripping discs

With poly stripping discs, you’ll be able to remove paint and corrosion from a wide variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. These discs are made of spun fiber material and can be used for surface preparation, grinding, and polishing. It’s also built for longevity and can withstand heavy-duty use.

Additionally, these discs work fast. They can remove material more quickly than many other kinds of angle grinder attachments, but they typically don’t produce as much dust or noise.

Author Profile

Fagjun Santos is a content writer by day, recipe GIF enthusiast by night. When she’s not watching other people make food, she covers the good, the bad, and the technical in industrial equipment and various professional tools. Formerly a newbie at all things pertaining to HVAC, surveying, construction, and more, she can now tell a caliper from an angle finder.

Best Buffing Pads

We take a look at the best buffing pads to remove scratches, swirl marks, streaks, and more on your car’s paint job.

Buffing pads are a necessary tool if you’re looking to buff, cut, polish, or correct the paint on your car. The best buffing pads are not only high-quality but also versatile and durable. Our review team spent countless hours researching and testing the best buffing pads on the market in tandem with the best buffing compounds to help those looking to get their own DIY buffing process started.

Best Buffing Pads

Best Overall: Chemical Guys BUF_HEX_Kits_8P

The Chemical Guys BUF_HEX_Kits_8P is an eight-item buffing kit that will fully prepare you to buff and polish your car. This kit consists of seven different types of buffing pads, including a heavy cutting pad (yellow), a medium-heavy cutting pad (orange), a heavy polishing pad (green), a light-medium polishing pad (white), a light polishing/finishing pad (blue), a finishing pad (black), and an ultra-light finishing pad (red).

All of the buffing, cutting, and polishing pads listed above feature Chemical Guys’ Hex-Logic engineering, which means the pads are designed to maximize surface contact area. Additionally, all of the pads included in this kit are compatible with any 5.0-inch dual-action rotaries or large-throw orbital machine backing plates. Besides the seven different types of pads, this kit also includes Chemical Guys’ Polishing Pad Cleaner to keep your pads in tip-top condition.

Our Experience

In our experience, the Chemical Guys BUF_HEX_Kits_8P is the best kit on the market for automotive buffing and clear coat paint correction.

Quality : All of the pads included in this kit were extremely high-quality. Even after we finished buffing and polishing our testing vehicle, these pads seemed to be in superior condition to any other that we used.

Versatility : This buffing pad kit was one of the most versatile that we researched or tested. With seven different pads to choose from, our review team was able to do everything professional detailers would be able to do – from removing severe scratches and oxidation to spreading glazes and sealant across a sensitive paint finish.

Durability : Even after we had fully buffed out our testing vehicle’s bonnet and utilized the kit’s foam polishing pads, all of the pads in the kit seemed to be in surprisingly good condition. Furthermore, the inclusion of pad cleaner ensures you can continue your car care longer than if you didn’t have pad cleaner.

What Customers Are Saying

than 2,200 customers on Amazon have left reviews for the Chemical Guys BUF_HEX_Kits_8P. Many reviewers speak about how easy this kit is to use due to the color coordination of pads to do different stages in the buffing process. Several customers even claim that this is the best buffing pad kit they’ve ever used.

Runner-Up: Chemical Guys HEX_3Kit_5

Engineered and developed for detailing professionals, the Chemical Guys HEX_3Kit_5 further backs the idea that Chemical Guys offers some of the best car detailing products on the market. Similar to the other Chemical Guys buffing pad kit featured in this article, this kit features Chemical Guys’ Hex-Logic engineering, which allows the pads to apply buffing compound evenly to different surfaces.

All three pads – the medium-heavy cutting pad (orange), the light-medium polishing pad (white), and the finishing pad (black) – are compatible with large-throw orbital machine backing plates and any dual-action rotaries. A hook and loop interface makes pad installation a breeze, while Chemical Guys’ Polishing Pad Cleaner allows you to clean and maintain your foam pads.

Our Experience

The Chemical Guys HEX_3Kit_5 is perfect for those who don’t want a full buffing kit, but rather a small kit that will accomplish the task at hand without requiring an exorbitant number of bits and bobs.

Quality : This kit is of the same quality as the other Chemical Guys buffing kit included in this article, but simply isn’t as comprehensive. Our review team wants to make it clear that customers won’t receive a dip in quality for choosing this smaller buffing kit compared to the full Chemical Guys buffing kit.

Versatility : This buffing kit is certainly versatile, and the pads included will undoubtedly allow you to fully and effectively complete the buffing process. The only reason this kit doesn’t have a perfect score for this testing category is because there are a few more comprehensive options available.

Durability : Similarly to the eight-pack kit from Chemical Guys, we experienced no issues with durability during our testing process. Although this is a slightly smaller kit from Chemical Guys – seven pads versus three – both kits include pad cleaner to allow you to reuse your compounding pads.

What Customers Are Saying

The Chemical Guys HEX_3Kit_5 has upwards of 5,900 customer reviews on Amazon. Customers rave over the quality of the pads. A huge number of reviewers mention the effectiveness of the pad cleaner and how much longer their buffing pads last because of it. One reviewer notes that he successfully did paint correction for the first time on his truck using this kit.

Most Versatile: Autolock 6” Buffing Pads

The Autolock 6” Buffing Pads are a set of six high-quality buffing pads, five of which are made from foam and one of which is made from wool. The five foam pads are lightweight and made of durable open-cell foam, which improves airflow and brings out the highest level of shine. Included pads in this kit are the heavy-cut pad (orange), two medium-cut pads (yellow and blue), a fine-cut pad (white), a finishing pad (black), and a woolen polishing pad.

The pads included in this buffing kit feature a special design where the front and back of the pad are two different sizes, specifically a 6.5-in. diameter on the front and a 6.0-in. diameter on the back. This design reduces the abrasion of the pad, backing plate, and paint surface. All of the pads in this kit are compatible with any car polishers and machine polishing devices, like a dual-action polisher or a rotary polisher for example.

Our Experience

Our review team found the Autolock 6” Buffing Pads to be the Most Versatile buffing pads kit on the market for its inclusion of every type of buffing pad you’ll need to buff your car out like a pro.

Quality : This buffing pad kit has some of the highest quality pads that we tested, second only to Chemical Guys buffing pads. We don’t think you’ll have any complaints about the quality and effectiveness of these buffing pads.

Versatility : Versatility is what ultimately sets this buffing pad kit apart from its competitors. From heavy-cut to fine-cut pads, this kit includes everything you could possibly need for buffing and polishing a car. The kit even includes a finishing pad and a woolen polishing pad.

Durability : While we had little to no concerns about durability during and after the testing process, these pads were just shy of obtaining a perfect score for this testing category. The inclusion of buffing pad-specific cleaner is the only reason why these buffing pads don’t have a 5-star durability score. These pads are machine washable but should be air-dried.

What Customers Are Saying

About 500 customers on Amazon have left reviews for the Autolock 6” Buffing Pads. Many note that this kit is equally effective for both polishing and buffing, due to the wide variety of pads included in the kit. One reviewer states he successfully compounded the roof of his 2007 Toyota FJ with this kit. Negative reviews state that there’s no difference in grit between pads, although we didn’t find this to be true during our testing process.

Best Polishing Kit: IPELY Wool Polishing Pad

Not solely purposed for automotive use and car detailing, the IPELY Wool Polishing Pad is great for buffing shower glass and granite countertops amongst other surfaces in your home. This polishing pad kit includes four wool pads, an adhesive backer plate, and an M14 drill adapter. The M14 drill adapter allows you to attach IPELY’s polishing pads to a cordless drill, angle grinder, power buffer, and polisher.

The pads themselves are woolen sponge pads, which makes them incredibly soft so you don’t need to worry about scratching your car’s paint. A hook and loop backing design makes mounting and removing the polishing pads a breeze, while the pad itself can be washed and reused after polishing. It should be noted that the maximum revolutions per minute (RPM) this buffing pad can withstand is 8500 RPM.

Our Experience

The IPELY Wool Polishing Pad is the Best Polishing Kit on the market for its inclusion of multiple polishing pads and the material makeup of the pads themselves.

Quality : The quality of the polishing pads included in this kit were unmatched. Comparable to the other polishing pad kit in this review, this kit is lightyears ahead of the competition. Other polishing pads leave residue or bits of fiber behind, whereas these polishing pads didn’t leave behind a trace.

Versatility : As this is a polishing pad-specific kit, it won’t be very versatile. Polishing takes place at the very end of the buffing process, meaning these pads are only useful for a small portion of said process.

Durability : By design, polishing pads will be less durable than buffing pads. Buffing pads are meant to be rough and abrasive, to an extent, while polishing pads are all about softness and light touches. We experienced some loss of wool fibers throughout our testing process.

What Customers Are Saying

The IPELY Wool Polish Pad has nearly 2,100 customer reviews on Amazon. Many reviewers speak to the quality of the pads and their thickness. Several customers note that machine washing the pads was more beneficial than hand washing them. Reviewers with negative feedback comment that they expected the pads to be thicker than they were.

Also Consider: TCP Global 8” Wool Buffing Pad

The TCP Global 8” Wool Buffing Pad is a pad designed for cutting, buffing, and polishing with compounds, glazes, and polishes. The pad wraps around the edges of the backing plate to provide the largest possible contact area and to reduce the likelihood of cutting or scratching your car’s paint in concave areas. It should be noted that the pad contains a grip attachment for hook and loop backing plates, but the backing plate itself is sold separately.

The inside edges of this buffing pad feature curved and reinforced plastic backing for smoother polishing and an extended pad life. Even if one of your polishing pads is coming to the end of its life, this kit consists of three pads so you’ll have two more to use as spares. Additionally, this buffing pad comes with an M14 drill adapter to allow you to attach the pad to a cordless drill, angle grinder, power buffer, or polisher.

Our Experience

In our experience, the TCP Global 8” Wool Buffing Pad is absolutely worth considering if you need a new buffing or polishing kit.

Quality : All of the pads included in this kit were quite high-quality. The reinforced edges and the fact that the edges of the pad are covered means that this kit is already a step above the competition.

Versatility : All of the pads included in this kit are woolen polishing pads, meaning you can only effectively accomplish the polishing part of the buffing process. While this pad is great for polishing, it’s not the best for cutting or buffing.

Durability : During our testing process, these pads left bits of fiber and remnants of the pad all over the exterior of our testing vehicle. This drew concerns from our review team about potential issues with durability.

What Customers Are Saying

than 1,500 customers have left reviews on Amazon for the TCP Global 8” Wool Buffing Pad. A huge number of reviewers speak to how much they appreciate the edges of the pad being covered, as it prevented them from scratching their car’s paint. Negative reviews state that the pad sheds material while you use it.

Buffing Pads Buyers Guide

If you’ve purchased one of the best buffing pads on the market, then the only way you won’t see the results you want is from improper use of equipment. Below, our review team delves into pad speed, one of the largest determining factors for how well a buffing process will go. We also cover buffing pad care and how to get the most mileage out of your pads.

Buffing Pad Speed

With a list of buffing pads with varying compatibility on different machines or devices, it can be difficult to know how quickly your buffing pad should be spinning while in use. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect lower RPMs to mean less friction, which ultimately means less heat build-up.

Our review team found that the optimal RPM range for compounding is between 1750 to 2500 RPM. However, the optimal RPM range for finishing is between 1200 to 1750 RPM. We recommend making sure you use a drill, polisher, power buffer, or angle grinder that can support the following speed ranges for the most effective buffing job.

Buffing Pad Care

Buffing pads aren’t designed to be used once and then thrown away. Even if they were, it would be relatively expensive to do so. If your buffing pad comes with a dedicated pad cleaner, like Chemical Guys’ buffing pads do, then you simply need to follow the company’s instructions. If not, you may need to machine or hand wash your buffing pads.

If sticking your buffing pads in the washing machine doesn’t do the trick and hand washing leaves you with clumps of buffing compound, we recommend investing in Griot’s Garage Pad Conditioning Brush to work any leftover compound out of your buffing pads.

Our Review Standards

The buffing pads in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and prices.

The five buffing pads that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing.

Buffing Pads Testing Process

A team member used each buffing pad with a cordless drill and an orbital polisher, specifically the TORQX Random Orbital Polisher. During the testing process, our review team took note of each buffing pad’s performance against the following criteria:

• Quality : Arguably the most important characteristic of a buffing pad is its quality. The material makeup of the pad, whether the pad left scratches, and the effectiveness of the pad during the buffing process were all taken into consideration.
• Versatility : One of the most important characteristics of a buffing pad is how much of the buffing process it can effectively work for. Kits with numerous different applicator pads for buffing, cutting, and polishing scored highest in this category.
• Durability : Buffing pads are designed to be used more than once, but this isn’t always the case. Buffing pads that came with pad cleaner, are machine washable, or at the very least are reusable scored best in this testing category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is foam or wool pad better for buffing?

Foam pads are better for buffing. Particularly in the final stage of the buffing process, foam pads should be used as they are more gentle than their wool counterparts. However, wool pads are able to remove deep scratches and dirt, while a foam pad cannot.

What’s the difference between a buffing pad and a polishing pad?

Polishing leaves a brushed or lined finish, while buffing removes the lines and leaves a bright luster finish. Polishing utilizes a high-grit abrasive while buffing utilizes a low-grit abrasive.

What is the best speed for buffing a car?

The best speed for buffing a car depends on what stage of the buffing process you’re at. When compounding, it’s recommended that you stay between 1750 to 2400 RPM. When finishing, it’s recommended that you stay between 1200 to 1750 RPM.

Data accurate at time of publication.

Can I Use Angle Grinder To Buff Car? | Things You Should To Know

Ann Hutchinson is the heart of the team, senior editor and our Head of Product Reviews which means she sets the testing parameters of each group review ensuring that tests resemble everyday use.

If you don’t own a dedicated buffing and polishing tool, a variable-speed angle grinder is ideal for the job. However, beginners must practice caution while using high-speed power tools on delicate surfaces like the exteriors of a vehicle.

Unlike professionals who own stacks of buffing and polishing tools, most DIYers rely on a good quality angle grinder to buff their car.

After all, no matter how careful you are, car paint is bound to wear out due to various external factors. Consequently, one needs a versatile tool like an angle grinder for all sorts of car restoration projects.

So, if you’re wondering if an angle grinder can double up as a car polisher, keep reading!

How Does An Angle Grinder Work?

• Shaft Size
• Wheel Guard

• 1. Spindle Thread
• 2. Power
• 3. RPM

• 1. A Dedicated Buffing And Polishing Tool
• 2. Cordless Drill

• Work Gently
• Mind The Weight
• Take Breaks

• Steps To Polish Metal With An Angle Grinder

An angle grinder features a rotating disc (or any other attachment) that moves in a single direction at variable speed. According to the action required, like buffing, cutting, grinding, etc., you can choose the appropriate option from the variable speed settings. However, not all angle grinders offer this setting.

Uses Of Angle Grinders

A high-quality angle grinder works well in multiple scenarios. For instance, fast-spinning angle grinders are ideal for cutting tiles as they create clean and crisp edges. Similarly, you can use them for cutting stones, too, though smaller-sized units will be better for more precise cuts.

The carving discs on angle grinders also make them suitable for carving and planning wood. So, if you’ve been planning to make simple furniture, look no further! However, keep in mind that due to the size and speed range of an angle grinder, it is not recommended for intricate woodwork.

Lastly, with enough practice, you can even use an angle grinder for sharpening tools. As such, it works as an excellent alternative to a bench grinder, provided you know how to angle and control the device.

Buffer Vs Angle Grinder

Shaft Size

The shaft size of the two tools is essentially what makes them different from one another. So, if you’re wondering, “ what size angle grinder do I need? ” let us tell you that most angle grinders boast a 5/8-inch diameter spindle and 11 threads per inch.

As such, when using it for buffing and polishing tools and vehicles, we suggest attaching a spindle extender. Doing so will add about 2 inches to the device, making it easier to work with.

Wheel Guard

The wheel guard is another useful component of your regular angle grinder. It is added for safety reasons, and hence, it is best to steer clear of angle grinders without a wheel guard. However, you may need to remove it while buffing and polishing to enjoy extra clearance.

Can You Use Angle Grinders To Buff And Polish Your Car?

The answer to this query depends on three factors, as listed below…

Spindle Thread

The angle grinder should have suitable spindle thread dimensions so that you can connect various polishing attachments and use them as and when required.

Power

The angle grinder must offer a power range similar to that of a polisher. However, the amount of power required may vary between 600W-1000W or even go beyond that.

RPM

Car polishing and buffing demand delicacy, so having a variable-speed angle grinder is essential. Ensure that the device can operate at 3000-3500 RPM for the best results.

Overall, keep in mind that regular polishers are not as powerful as angle grinders. So, using fast-spinning grinders is completely out of the question. In fact, you should remain careful while using any type of rotary tools, not just angle grinders, for buffing and polishing.

over, we recommend using a dual-action polisher since they are easy to use and dissipate heat, making them ideal for beginners.

What Other Tools Can You Use For Buffing And Polishing?

Typically, an angle grinder operates at a fixed speed of 8000 RPM or more. This speed is obviously not suitable for it to be used as a buffing and polishing machine. So, if you don’t own a variable speed angle grinder, here are some alternatives you can consider…

A Dedicated Buffing And Polishing Tool

Such tools are specifically designed to get rid of defects, scratches, and more from painted vehicles.

But despite being a very useful tool, its use case is limited. Yet, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind going the extra mile to keep your car in top condition, buying a polishing tool can be a valuable investment.

Cordless Drill

A cordless drill with buffing and polishing attachments can also make a cost-effective option if you don’t own a variable-speed angle grinder. The device features variable speed settings, ranging between 500-2000 RPM. Not to forget, it is fairly easy to use – all you have to do is turn it on and adjust the speed with a flick of a button!

However, you may struggle with the orientation and the inertial forces of a cordless drill. As such, controlling the pad for a consistent finish may be difficult.

Things To Remember Before Using An Angle Grinder To Buff Your Car

Work Gently

Most angle grinders are used for heavier work like cutting metal, removing mortar, sharpening tools, etc., and offer more torque than polishers. So, we recommend working gently while the pad is moving. Concentrating on one part for too long may burn the car’s paintwork, and that’s the last thing you’d want!

Mind The Weight

Ensure the angle grinder is compact enough to be held at awkward positions. Usually, heavy-duty grinders weigh a lot, so be careful before working with one.

Take Breaks

Working at high speed will obviously ruin the car paint. Similarly, working continuously at low speed can make the motor heat up due to reduced cooling/airflow. So, to avoid any mishaps, it’s best to take breaks whenever you notice the angle grinder getting too hot.

How To Polish Metal With An Angle Grinder?

Before getting started, check if you own the following items…

• Felt polishing and buffing flap disc
• Premium-grade abrasive flap disc
• Scotch Brite or Easy Strip disc
• Basic polishing compound kit

Steps To Polish Metal With An Angle Grinder

If your car displays minor rust stains, signs of oxidation, scaling, or chipped paint, just attach a Scotch Brite or Easy Strip disc to the angle grinder and get started.

Follow it up with an abrasive flap disc to even out rough edges. These flap discs are usually made of zirconia abrasive ribbon, which is an effective and affordable component for metalworkers.

Next, apply a generous layer of polishing compound on the affected area and use a felt polishing disc to clear out any leftover obscurities. Although doing these steps is enough for a neat look, you can repeat the process to remove stubborn saw marks.

Safety Precautions To Take While Working With Angle Grinders

Make sure you keep all other tools and toolboxes away while using an angle grinder to avoid any damage. Do keep tools that you may require in easy-to-reach areas.

Similarly, organize the power cables and place them behind you or away from the work area to avoid tripping.

When in use, angle grinders produce sparks that may ignite flammable substances like oil, diesel, gasoline, paper, etc. So, remove anything that can easily catch fire to avoid accidents.

Earphones, jewelry, or any other intricate pieces that can get stuck in an angle grinder should also be removed.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so we always recommend keeping a fire extinguisher handy while working with angle grinders.

Never use electrical appliances in wet and damp areas. If it is raining, it is best to wait till it stops before you start working.

Lastly, protect your eyes, ears, lungs, and hands by wearing appropriate clothing and accessories. We recommend wearing safety goggles, earplugs, thick gloves, and full-length work pants.

Angle Grinder To Buff Car Final Words

That said, we hope this guide on using an angle grinder to buff and polish cars helped you learn a thing or two about this versatile device. Unlike rotary polishing machines, a standard angle grinder will cost you a lot less and work just as efficiently, if not more.

However, we must add that you will need practice and patience to work with power tools like angle grinders. But that’s just a small price to pay for a smooth and shiny car!

Before signing off, we recommend checking out our article on CR123A batteries for a better understanding of how they work in angle grinders. Consequently, you’ll be able to use these batteries to make your device work smoothly.