trying to find a beginner polisher to remove swirl marks and light scratches for under $50.
I wont be doing polishing and waxing all day so nothing too serious and relatively easy to control. I heard ROP would be great for beginners.
also Im new to polishing so what pads do you use for cutting, polishing, and waxing?

 

Random Orbital with a foam pad is best for we amateur polishers as it's almost impossible to burn the paint. Leave the direct drive wool bonnet polishers to the pro's.

I like Griots Garage and Porter Cable but they're both pricey. Then again, you get what you pay for and high quality tools amortize well over their lifetime (which with care should be your lifetime).

edit: I meant to add that Porter Cable is the Griot's Garage OEM. Griot's includes polish and wax pads.

 

have you tried those old style ROP's ie. wax spreaders. would they work well removing swirls and light scratches?
I heard its no always the tool, the kind of chemical is also important. harsh pad + mild chemical vs. softer pad vs harsh chemical.

 

There isn't much you can do for under $50... especially if you're trying to machine polish.
Maybe you can borrow someone's and pay them $50 to use?

even the porter cable 7424 will run 100+

I wouldn't recommend it, but if you're really trying to stay under $50, clay and a hand polish will be the most you can do.



Otherwise, if you're willing to spend a bit more, you may be able to pick up a second hand PC for pretty cheap. For light stuff, I'd go with a CCS orange pad with a medium cut polish. Follow up with a white pad/fine polish if you're picky, but orange pads finish pretty nicely in my experience.

Just make sure to finish with a good quality LSP and you'll be happier in the long run. (Blackfire wet diamond is good for the money)

 

Indeed the realtive quality of the polish itself makes a big difference. The rule of thumb is to start with the least aggressive polish and only move up if required, especially given modern clear coat finishes. "Cutting compound" is only for very flat paint that has seen hard times.

Although time consuming, as you have an '09 presumably you only need to polish out improper drying cloth (or perish the thought machine washing) -induced swirls and fine scratches, so ok do it by hand.