Dual Action Polishers

A dual action polisher spins the pad on an offset bearing, so it orbits as well as turns. Press too hard or tilt it onto an edge and the pad slows down instead of digging in, which is why a DA is the usual first polisher. The range covers DAS-6, ShineMate, Vertool, Rupes BigFoot, Maxshine and Poorboy's World, plus mini and cordless machines.

How to choose

• Throw (the orbit size) is often in the title: 12mm is easiest to control on curves, 15mm is the usual all-round size, and 21mm corrects bonnets and roofs fastest.
• A battery machine such as the ShineMate EB351-5/15 has no cable to drag across the paint; see Cordless Polishers.
• The gear-driven Rupes LK900E Mille keeps the pad turning under load, so it cuts faster than a free-spinning DA; see Forced Rotation Polishers.

Good to know

• Keep the pad flat and watch that it keeps turning (a marker line across the backing plate shows it); if it stops, ease off.
• Pads go by backing plate size: a 5.5 inch pad for a 5 inch plate, 6.5 inch for a 6 inch plate, both in Polishing Pads.

What is the difference between a polisher and a dual action polisher?

A rotary polisher turns the pad on one fixed axis, so it keeps cutting however you hold it and needs more control. A dual action polisher spins the pad on an offset bearing, so it orbits as well as turns, and if you press too hard or tilt it the pad slows down instead of digging in. That is why a DA is the usual first machine. Gear-driven forced rotation polishers keep the pad turning under load and cut faster than a free-spinning DA.

Related: Polishing Machines & Kits, Mini & Nano Polishers, Compounds & Polishes. Popular brands here: DAS-6, ShineMate, Vertool, Rupes.