Circular or orbital buffer?
 

Any recommendations? What experiences do you have with either one. Looking to bring the finish back on my other boat before I sell it.

The orbital buffer because its the least aggressive tool for about the same job and results; less likely to make burning mistakes! I have a porter cable so I also buy my polish at autbody supply store's. Most polish sold elsewere are designed for hand. Using a hand polish with a machine will cause the polish to break down too quickly, and you won't get enough cutting action (borrowed from auto paint book). Un-like a reg. parts retail store, the guys at a pro supply place can help recomend the best machine polish for the job.

If you use it on the boat, bet your car(s), truck(s), etc will follow.

autopia dot com

3m has a vast product line for polishing. a circular polishing machine is best for cutting and removing material on aged surfaces or marred surfaces. the use of pad material differs on type of use, and by pad i mean wool or foam and which grade of foam. wool burns easier on clear coat custom finished paint work. even with experienced hands.
the orbital makes for a good final finishing in order to keep from getting swirl marks.

if the boat is the least bit oxidized dont even waste your time with an orbital....and as far as burning...if its gelcot....lay into it...you will not burn it....

0rbital is more for polishing or waxing.If you have a haze to get rid of buff it first with wool pad,foam pad,then an orbital to bring out the depth and work out the swirls.

True 3m is the best product. It's expensive stuff.......

Should add there is two kinds of orbital polisher. One is no better than doing it by hand. The other will do the same job as a circular. The top pic is good and can be bought at Lowes for around $140. The bottom are all garbage!!!

never seen that porter cable at lowes....Is it a small version kind of like a small dewalt grinder....oh and how many rpm is it.....Just curious always used the dewalt but they are getting exspensive

Yeah those orbitals that cost $59.999 are junk.....I'm paying someone to do mine now. I have one of those cheap ones like the second pic above and if I put any pressure on the hull at all I can stop the motor from spinning.

Porter Cable buffer like pictured above is the best! I got mine online at Griots Garage for like $199. That's a deal if true.

It's a must have if you wax the boat as often as I do. I can do from the rub rail down in about 30 minutes.