Helping your automobile look its best can improve its resale value and make your paint look better and last longer. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, tells us about purchasing your own buffer.

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Purchasing your own buffer puts you in charge and is really fun as well. I chose a lightweight Dual Action Polisher to achieve the same high gloss, professional finish that the pros do with a rotary buffer/polisher. This much less expensive unit is designed so that less-experienced, everyday users can operate it with the same effectiveness.

Traditional rotary polishers have a larger wheel spinning at a high RPM, which means the operator's technique is critical to avoid burns and swirls. This Dual Action Polisher is special due to the unique random orbit movement. It has a 6-inch oscillating head that eliminates these issues and allows anyone to get the same great finish, without burns or swirls. General detail maintenance like waxing and buffing can now be done in half the time, with half the effort and half the amount of product.

The quick-change pads have Velcro backing for easy changing as you go through the process.

The secret is not just the right polisher but getting the best products possible. Look for waxes and polishes that do not have fillers. Products that include fillers often leave a layer of powder behind.

The biggest benefit to polishing and waxing your car is to maintain the value of the vehicle and increase your pride in ownership.

This is an ideal project for DIYers who want a high gloss, professional finish for their vehicle.

A quality system Dual Action Polisher casts around $150 but will save you thousands of dollars and increase the value of your car or truck at trade-in time.