What exactly are dual action machine polishers, you might ask? And what even are the different types of polishing machines on the market? Truthfully, there’s quite a few, and we’re here to guide you through them in the complex world of car polish.
Rotary machine polishers are the most straightforward of the bunch. They simply spin round on a single centre axis and operate in a circular motion. Dual action ones are slightly different: instead, they spin in a kind of orbital manner. The backing pad spins on top of the spindle, which spins in a wider circulating motion, while the head spins in a concentric motion. You have to picture the spindle as a common axis, like how the Earth rotates, but with the pad having more flexibility.
In the polishing industry, rotary types are mainly used by professionals. They’re the most vigorous, and detailers will often have their own method to get the best out of them. Dual Action machine polishers are better for beginners because it’s far harder to burn paintwork or do any damage. Some, usefully, even come as polishing kits, which are great for beginners.
The best dual action machine polishers at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Meguiar’s MT320 Dual Action Polishing Kit – Buy from Amazon
Best cordless dual action machine polisher: Dewalt DCM848P2 – Buy from Amazon
Best budget dual action machine polisher: Draper DA900SF Storm Force – Buy from Machine Mart
But we’re also aware that searching for the right polisher can be extremely daunting and tricky. There is a minefield of cheap products to suss through, so we’ve compiled the best ones available into this guide. They range in price, equipment included, and quality. But if you’re after a buffer, you can see our guide on the best car buffers here.
The best dual action machine polishers
Editor's pick
Included in the kit is the dual action backing plate, cutting, finishing, polishing disc, and all three products you'll need to initiate the polish (compound, polish, and wax) as well as a microfibre towel and carrying case. Each of the discs measures 5 inches in diameter, and while that's not the largest you can get, it should be fine for most beginners of the skill.
Pros
- Good quality, comprehensive kit with all things included
- Lightweight tool with consistent power
- Comes with carrying case for the kit
Cons
- Corded machines won't suit all environments
- Some will prefer larger polishing pads
Best versatile dual action machine polisher
Dewalt even says that alongside cars, this tool is suitable for boat repairs, ornamental stonework, and even kitchen fitting. It weighs just over 3kg with a battery attached and has a load speed of 5,500rpm.
Pros
- Great quality tool from a trusted brand
- Can be used for all sorts of applications from cars to boats
- Pretty good value, despite not having everything included
Cons
- Battery and pads not included
- Cordless polishers won't be for everyone
Best budget polishing kit
The machine itself has a load speed of 1,500 to 4,500rpm from a 900W motor. It weighs just 2.3 kg and if you use it for home/personal use, you get a three-year warranty. This lowers to just one-year if you're using it for commercial use, where certain terms apply.
Pros
- Comprehensive kit for the price
- Good variable speeds at 1,500-4,500rpm
- Pretty lightweight at just 2.3kg
Cons
- Small power cable
- Polishing pads are quite small
Best budget dual action machine polisher tool
Draper claim it's also good for boats and caravan work as well as cars, and it weighs only 2.5kg which is really lightweight for the amount of power it produces. Unfortunately, it only has a five-metre power cable, which compromises it when working around a full vehicle.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Powerful for the price at a load speed of 2,000-6,400rpm
- Comes with a two-year warranty
Cons
- Polishing pad isn't the largest at 150mm
- Short power cable of five metres
Best variable dual action machine polisher
Unfortunately, however, the cable only stretches out to 1.9 metres. This is simply too short compared to the other polishers, and you'd need a few extension cables if you only have access to one socket.
Pros
- Versatile tool with variable load speed of 1,500-6,800rpm
- Lightweight at just 2.3kg
- Covers decent surface area with an orbit of 8mm
Cons
- Cable is very short at just 1.9m
- Polishing pads not included
Best cordless dual action machine polisher
However, unlike a lot of products, you do get two 5.0Ah batteries included, which is a neat bonus. The machine also has a lock-on switch that allows for continuous operation without any of the strain.
Pros
- Clever tool with variable controls
- Two 5.0Ah batteries and charger included
- Good quality materials and build
Cons
- Polishing pads not included
- Cordless polishers won't be for everyone
Best premium dual action polishing kit
Included alongside the polisher - which has a load speed of 2,650 to 5,100rpm - are two 5.0Ah batteries, two polishing pads, a cloth, and two products to apply onto the pads. It's not quite as comprehensive as the Meguiar's polishing kit, but it certainly represents a step-up in quality.
Pros
- Great quality tool
- Two 5.0Ah batteries included
- Comes with polishing pads, cloth, and products
Cons
- Kit not quite as comprehensive as the Meguiar's set
- Slightly heavier than the rest at 3.2kg
Things to remember with dual action machine polishers
I’ve never polished before, should I use one?
If you’re keen to start polishing and never used a machine previously, absolutely. Dual action machine polishers generate a lot less heat than standard rotary polishers, yet generate more action than hand buffing with a pad and microfibre towel, which means a lot of the method that professionals use is integrated into the machine.
They orbit the polishing pad around a central spindle and simultaneously rotate that pad on its own axis. If you use a rotary polisher and hold it in place for too long, it can risk generating too much heat and damaging the body. With a dual action, the axis movements reduce that risk.
The other dilemma to wrap your head around is corded vs cordless and subsequent battery life and cable length. Polishing is a bit more thorough than a headlight restoration kit after all. Lower-end dual action polishers will either have a shorter cord or shorter battery life compared to the more premium options. Our advice would be that before purchasing, assess where you will be polishing your car. Is there a plug socket nearby? Will that cable stretch out? Will you need an extension cord? After all, polishing is a fairly expensive skill once you total in the supply of pads and products on top of the machine(s), so assessing what you have on hand is key.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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