Dual-action and random orbital buffers are both types of dual-action motorized buffing machines used to polish or wax a vehicle during detailing. They both combine the spinning motion of the buffing head with the orbiting or rotating motion of the machine spindle.
The difference between the two is how rotation occurs. A random orbital buffer uses the momentum of a counterweight inside the buffer plate and the spinning of the spindle from the motor to spin the independent buffer pad, and its rotation can be affected by any change made to the buffer, including the buffer pad size, shape, and material.
A forced rotation dual action buffer is largely the same except that the buffer plate is fixed to the pad and spins when the machine is running.
Types of Motorized Polishers and Buffers
Motorized buffers all have a plate on which a buffing or polishing pad is placed and a spindle that allows the motor to rotate the plate. Apart from all having a motorized spindle, there are a variety of different types of buffers that differ in price, availability, ease of use, and strengths and weaknesses.
Random orbital and dual action buffers are just two of the four main types of these machines on the market.
Standard or Fixed Orbital Buffer
A standard orbital buffer is the most basic, the most widely available, and the easiest to use type of motorized vehicle paint buffer.
They work by mimicking how one polishes a car without the assistance of a machine – in small circular motions. This is accomplished because the spindle axis and buffer plate axis are slightly offset. As the plate is rotated, the buffer pad or cloth makes contact with the vehicle’s paint and applies the wax or cutting compound.
These types of buffers are the least expensive to buy and the most available because they are low-speed tools compared to other types of buffing machines. They are easier to use as a result. Unfortunately, they do not offer much in terms of fixing deeper scratches, larger blemishes, and bad oxidation since they are also not as powerful as other types of buffers.
Their primary purpose is the application of wax or sealant rather than true paint polishing, and few experts use them extensively. Despite their shortcomings, they are great for learning how to polish a vehicle and do not carry too much risk of causing paint damage because of their weaknesses compared to other motorized buffers.
Rotary Buffer
Rotary motorized buffers are the simplest buffers in terms of their design, but they are one of the most difficult to use. They work by simply using the motor – usually mounted at a ninety-degree angle to the spindle – to spin the buffer head, much like a power drill.
Both the spindle axis and buffer plate axis are the same. As a result of this, the buffer plate can spin much more rapidly than a standard orbital buffer, allowing more extensive paintwork to be accomplished.
Even though it may sound much more straightforward than a fixed orbital buffer, they are much harder to use. The spinning buffer plate can generate much more friction and heat since its axis is fixed and the plate can rotate much faster than a standard orbital.
Not only could heat buildup have negative effects on the paint, but it is also much easier to eat away too much paint during the polishing process.
Unlike an orbital polisher, there is no extra movement generated by the machine since the buffer plate’s axis is not offset. This is the preferred polishing machine of professional detailers for the same reasons they are not recommended for beginners or hobbyists. Because they are more powerful and concentrated than other types of motorized buffers, they are also able to tackle the most extensive paint correction and polishing jobs.
Random Orbital Buffer
Random orbital polishers are a type of dual action polisher. They are set up similarly in design to a rotary polisher in that the motor and spindle are often set ninety degrees from the buffing plate and pad.
Like fixed orbital polishers, the axis of the spindle and the axis of the buffing plate are offset. Unlike fixed orbital polishers, the buffing plate being spun by the spindle and buffing pad are not directly connected. This means that the pad can spin when the machine is not on and that it can be stopped from spinning when the machine is running.
The buffing pad is spun by the momentum generated by the spinning of the backing plate connected to the spindle. The plate also has a counterweight that creates some movement within the tool itself as it is used.
Random orbital buffers are considered dual-action buffers because of both the motor in the tool spins and the plate and pad spin. Their design is more complex than both rotary and standard orbital buffers, but they are easy to use and considered the safest buffing machines to buy because the spinning pad can be stopped while the machine is running.
This prevents the buildup of excess friction and reduces the possibility of excess paint layer removal should the machine be used too aggressively. These types of buffing machines have a greater range of affordability compared to other types, and they are versatile when it comes to their setup. A wide range of pad sizes and shapes can be fitted to accommodate a variety of needs.
Lastly, they are good middle-of-the-road buffers, not able to match the superior effectiveness of rotary buffers but also being more effective than a standard orbital buffer.
Forced Rotation Dual Action Buffer
Forced rotation dual action is another type of orbital buffer very closely related to the random orbital dual action buffer. Even though the two are nearly identical, the difference is that a forced rotation dual action buffer does not have random buffer pad movement.
The backing plate and pad are directly connected, so when the machine is running and the spindle is spinning, the head also spins. It still contains a counterweight within the backing plate, the axis of the spindle and backing plate are still offset. The result is usually quite a bit of movement of the machine itself while in use.
The benefits of being versatile and safer to use than rotary polishers are also present in forced rotation polishers, but they also provide the added benefit of performing more heavy-duty work since the buffing pad does not stop under hard pressure against a surface.
The main difficulty of using a forced rotation polisher comes with its ease of use. Because the buffer plate is offset and there is a counterweight, the polisher tends to throw itself around a surface and is harder to use on uneven surfaces.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Between Forced Rotation Dual Action and Random Orbital Dual Action Buffers?
Both forced rotation and random orbital buffers are similar in their ease of use, availability, and engineering. As a result, two main factors will affect buying considerations.
The first of which is safety. The design of a random orbital buffer allows the spinning head to stop its rotation if too much pressure is applied to a surface.
This prevents excess friction from building on a surface and excess heat to build as a result. This benefits less experienced DIY or hobbyist polishers who are learning how to properly polish a vehicle.
They also do an adequate job of polishing a surface, much better than a standard orbital polisher would. If you need a beginner-friendly polisher that gets the job done for most easy to moderate polishing needs, this type of buffing machine will be for you.
Forced rotation polishers are less safe to use and are more aggressive in their polishing capability because the spinning buffer head does not stop spinning when pressed hard against a surface.
This can cause more friction and heat buildup but also allows for more aggressive paint correction if necessary. If you want the relative safety of a polisher compared to a rotary polisher, but you still need to do more extensive polishing work than a random orbital can accomplish, this is the correct machine to use.
Final Thoughts
The difference between a forced rotation and random orbital dual action buffing machine is that the buffing head of the random orbital machine is disconnected from the backing plate, allowing it to use momentum to spin freely.
A forced rotation dual action buffing machine has a buffing head that spins with the spindle and will not stop spinning unless the motor is turned off.
Both machines have their advantages and disadvantages. Random Orbital polishers are usually safer to use but slightly less effective for tackling extensive polishing jobs. Forced rotation polishers are usually less safe because of the friction they create but can tackle harder polishing jobs.
