Frequently Asked questions

Orbital Tech is the sole supplier for Australia and New Zealand of Gem Orbital polishers, dealer of Gem Sander/Polisher  and associated products. Invented by Gem Industries almost 50 years ago, the Gem Orbital polisher is recognized as the premier quality buffer for the professional detailer, whether for cars, yachts  or aircrafts.

An orbital sander/polisher ‘oscillates’, duplicating the motion of your hand as if you were waxing or sanding the surface. Using an eccentric motion, the orbital system moves like the human hand, only 1720 times faster, meaning the tool can remain on the surface for longer periods without building up intense heat friction. The actual revolutions per minute (RPM) are almost zero, therefore always leaves a perfect finish.

There are no differences between the machines themselves, however the BW-HLS model comes with the pre-assembled shroud included. 

Both orbital polisher models come in heavy-duty cast aluminium housing, with a shock resistant coating, are available in 220 volt, and come with a two year warranty on the motors. The BW-C Orbital Polisher is recommended for polishing, compounding and most heavy-duty applications and is slightly heavier than the other model, weighing 8kg. The BW-C orbital polisher also provides slightly more motor torque. The CHD Orbital polisher is a more lightweight model, weighing only 6kg, and is recommended for pre-cleaning, light compounding and polishing.

We stock three different types of Drive Pads, two are accessories to the Orbital Sander/Polisher - Drive Pad and Firm Pad, which are suitable for sanding and polishing of wooden/marble solid surfaces. The third Drive Pad is used for polishing applications only, where bonnets are required.    

A drive pad is the foam padding that fits to your orbital polisher and acts as a buffer between the orbital machines and the detailer surface. Designed to fit both models of orbital polisher, these 11” drive pads come assembled with a sturdy aluminum metal pan and three layers of foam padding for long term use. 

Terry cloth is an ideal fabric for the application and removal of waxes and polishes because the fibres in terry cloth are longer than that of microfibre. This means the fibres are less likely to become caked with product, and the terry cloth fabric is soft and gentle enough so that it won’t produce swirls or scratches. 

We recommend using the Super heavy-duty terry cloth bonnet with the GEM orbital polisher for the application of products as it allows you to apply the products more evenly.

Terry cloth bonnets are also ideal for the removal of waxes and polishes as the looped cotton fibres allow the bonnet to softly remove the wax and polish and you move the orbital polisher over the surface. We recommend the Heavy-duty Terry Cloth Bonnet, as they remove dried products more effectively than you could by hand.

A microfibre bonnet is superior at removing products, polishing and shining. As microfibre is an engineered material, it creates an electric charge to attract negative particles, thereby removing any wax and polish residue to leave the paint clean and glossy. Microfibre is also lint free and more absorbent than terry cloth, so is ideal for chemical removal and to create a deep high-gloss shine.

We do not recommend the use of the same bonnet to remove both polish and wax, since these materials may contain abrasives that can transfer back onto the paint, so we recommend you use different bonnets for each part of the process to avoid cross-contamination.

All Orbital Tech bonnets are reversible, so you can maximise your usage out of each bonnet by reversing it when the original side becomes too saturated. 

How to care for your bonnets with depend on the type of bonnet you are using, as well as the type of polish or wax and level of saturation.

For best care of your bonnets, we recommend squeezing off any excess wax or polish and then wash in warm water with mild detergent, either by hand or on a regular cycle in your washing machine. Never use bleach or fabric softener when washing as this can clog the fibres of the bonnets, and may also stretch the elastic on the bonnet.

For microfibre bonnets, wash separately from the terry cloth to avoid cross-contamination which can cause lint on the microfibres.

To dry, either tumble dry on a low or no-heat setting (as high heat can melt the fibres). For microfibre bonnets, air-drying is suggested to preserve the quality of your bonnets.

For heavily saturated bonnets, you can also add vinegar to your wash cycle to help break down the wax or polish.

To care for your drive pads, we recommend wiping down any excess wax or polish after use with a mild soap solution and warm water. Ensure to squeeze out any soap residue and any excess water, and dry face down on a flat surface to allow any excess water to drain from the foam pad. Ensure that the pads dry evenly with minimal exposure to dirt, dust and other contaminants, and make sure your drive pads are fully dry and clean prior to use to ensure the best finish on your next application.