When it comes to car detailing products, finding the right balance between effectiveness, quality, and cost is always a challenge. This is especially true for power tools for car detailing, such as a dual-action random orbital polisher/orbital polisher. Since dual-action polishers with variable speeds, backing pads, and durable foam pads can cost hundreds of dollars, this becomes a significant financial barrier for those new to the electric car detailing industry.
That’s the beauty of the Black+Decker WP900. It’s an affordable car polisher that costs a fraction of the price of professional polishers. More importantly, it tries to compete with the big boys by offering a powerful motor and a decent-sized polishing pad/spindle. Like many affordable tools, the WP900 works well in certain situations, but it also has significant limitations that may put off more experienced and demanding consumers.
One look at the WP900 shows how much Black+Decker saved on this track buffer. At a fraction of the size of a typical professional track buffer, the WP900 is even more compact, especially at the rear. So you’re not only saving money, you’re saving space too.
The WP900 body design still provides a large grip area for a comfortable hold. There are two handles on both ends of the polishing sponge, allowing you to comfortably hold the polishing pad with both hands. The two handles are a good size and do not require any force or effort to hold.
The buffer is located under the vehicle body and is equipped with a small electric motor that rotates at about 4,400 rpm. The motor, powered by a 10-foot power cable, rotates a 6-inch thick pad that provides good coverage as it moves across the vehicle surface.
This buffer doesn’t have many extra features, as the heart of the saver is the buffer itself. This means you may need to purchase a polishing pad or finishing pad to complete the kit. The spindle is designed to be easily installed with a variety of spacers right out of the box.
When using a cheap rail buffer, it is important to remember that it will not be able to provide the real performance of many professional models. An underpowered motor simply will not cope with medium to severe scratches in your car’s paint. The best results are achieved by performing simple maintenance tasks that are likely to be performed more frequently between the vehicle’s major service intervals.
When used in this way, the WP900 has a lot to offer in terms of feel. The dual handle design is very comfortable even during long-term use. The 10-foot power cord also provides plenty of room for extension. The handle design also allows for easy adjustment of the buffer direction, easily adapting to the different road surfaces of the vehicle.
The stable design of the buffer has both advantages and disadvantages. When the engine is running and the buffer is rotating, the buffer body is very stable in the hand. The shock absorber moves along the surface of the car with almost no vibration. However, when the engine is off, it is difficult to keep the buffer level on a flat surface. The design of the handle shifts the center of gravity to one side, which increases the likelihood of it tipping over. Therefore, when you are not using it, it is best to prop it up with a towel or other small object, leaning it against the floor.
Unfortunately, this bumper also has some odd design flaws that ruin the overall user experience. First of all, the “on” button is awkwardly placed and difficult to press with your fingers. The dual-handle design can also be awkward in certain orientations when using the bumper on vertical vehicle surfaces.
As with budget road buffers, you’ll have to gradually lower your expectations of results before you’ll be satisfied with the WP900. That’s not to say it can’t handle basic car cleaning. Instead, it’s best suited for small, routine cleaning jobs.
Due to the limited motor speed, it is best suited for light to medium dirt and debris. When polishing scratches, the lighter the scratch, the better. When used with high-quality polishing paste, this compact polisher is enough to make the paintwork shine like new.
Unfortunately, things are different for more complex parts. If you’re looking for a true orbital polisher that can handle the heavy-duty restoration of your car’s paint, you’ll want to look elsewhere. The lack of speed control means it can only reach 4,400 RPM. That’s fine for basic detailing, but it’s not fast enough to remove deep scratches and obvious swirls.
There’s something truly special about an affordable orbital polisher that can be used to tackle even the most basic car care tasks. For DIY car polishers, the WP900 is a great choice if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a professional model. However, to fully utilize the WP900’s potential, you’ll need to be fully prepared for its limitations.
This isn’t a heavy-duty, beast-of-a-rail buffer. It’s locked at 4,400 RPM, which doesn’t allow for more precise control or more power. Instead, its motor is great at picking up the small marks and grime that build up on a car’s paint over time. However, when it comes to more obvious or deep-seated grime, you may have to spend more to really get the job done.
Final Verdict: The WP900 is a high quality, affordable track buffer that is worth considering for first time DIY car washers.
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