The best air orbital sander for auto body work can do wonders when it comes to smoothing auto surfaces. If you want to polish and paint your car, then you should use an orbital sander first, because it helps remove the old paint from the surface and prepare it for the new painting process. On top of that, it is beneficial for cars affected by rust.
But why is it that one has to spend so much time looking for such a device? Well, it’s because picking one is quite a challenge considering the sheer number of models on the market. Not all models will be able to deliver the same quality, and because of that, a customer should be wary of everything surrounding orbital sanders.
This is exactly why we came up with this buying guide. In this article, we will review some top products that might be of interest to you if you’re looking for an orbital sander. At the same time, we will offer you some information on things to pay attention to when you’re choosing your orbital sander. Without further ado, let’s get to it.
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Why Do You Need an Air Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work?
At some point, a car owner may need to perform certain actions on their car. If the vehicle has been used for a while and the paint looks bad, you may want to start removing the old one and add a new coat of paint, which will make the car look as good as new.
Still, in order to remove paint, you cannot just scrub the surface with any item you have nearby. In fact, you have to use an air orbital sander that will do the job impeccably. It will remove the paint safely and prepare the surface for new paint.
So, everyone who wants to get rid of old paint, but also of rust or anything affecting the condition of the car should have an air orbital sander for auto body work. It is one of the best machines that you can find on the market, and it’s perfect when it comes to this kind of work.
What Are the Benefits of Air Orbital Sanders?
So, we know that these devices are necessary for auto body work, but why exactly are they so popular compared to other possible methods? What are the benefits? We will reveal them below.
1. Easy to Use
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why everyone loves air orbital sanders so much is that they are easy to use. You only need to make sure you have a polishing pad that you can use and apply finishing polish on it. There are variable speed settings that you can make use of depending on the result you are trying to obtain. The speed and your movements will influence how smooth the surface will be after you are done using the device.
What’s even better is the fact that they don’t have any vibration, which makes them even more likely to offer great results without damaging the car.
2. Additional Features
The cool thing with air orbital sanders is that they come with multiple features that can help you obtain a nice and smooth surface ready to use. For instance, they are able to spin in a circular motion just like an electric sander. However, they also tend to wobble, which brings an additional plane of movement and, as a result, it will help achieve a much smoother finish. On top of that, it will help prevent any harsh abrasions on the surface.
Of course, this is only an example of an additional feature brought by these devices.
3. Can Remove Paint from Curved Areas
Removing paint from flat areas is probably something you are not exactly concerned about because you expect a machine to do a great job at this. But what about curved areas? The reason many people love air orbital sanders is that they can effectively get rid of paint even from those annoying curved surfaces. This makes them ideal to use for vehicles and you can rest assured you will obtain an even finish, and there will be no paint left on the surface.
Best Air Orbital Sanders Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ingersoll Rand Heavy-Duty Air Dual-Action Quiet Sander |
| View On Amazon |
 | GEDU Professional Air Random Orbital Palm Sander |
| View On Amazon |
 | Valianto 6″ Professional Air Random Orbital Palm Sander |
| View On Amazon |
 | Ingersoll Rand 328B Heavy Duty Air Geared Orbital Sander |
| View On Amazon |
 | CUBITRON 3M Random Orbital Sander Pneumatic Palm Sander |
| View On Amazon |
 | FIXKIT 6″ Air Random Orbital Sander |
| View On Amazon |
Best Air Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work Reviews
1. Ingersoll Rand Heavy-Duty Air Dual-Action Quiet Sander
Ingersoll put a lot of effort into designing this amazing sander. Probably one of the best things about it is the low vibration. You will barely feel it vibrating while it operates, which will help maintain a smooth finish after you use it on a surface. No damage will be caused to the surface as a result.
Controlling the speed is also something that can be achieved thanks to the adjustable build-in regulator. This way, you can customize your own experience with the machine and adjust the speed based on what you are using the device for, or how much you need to sand the surface.
What’s more, it can be used for a bunch of things. For example, you can use it for metal preparation, feather edging, or finish work on body filler. It also has a dual-action pad motion that helps offer swirl-free finishes.
Pros
- It has barely any vibration
- Very quiet operation
- Balanced ball bearing construction
- It is very comfortable to handle
Cons
- You need a pretty big air compressor for it
2. GEDU Professional Air Random Orbital Palm Sander
If you need something wear-resistant that will last for a very long period, then you should look no further than this Gedu device. This version of the orbital air sander will do an outstanding job when it comes to sanding various surfaces, but it will also resist for a good amount of time thanks to its durability. This way, you will not have to consider replacements anytime soon.
The machine is great for vertical and overhead sanding applications thanks to the lighter air-motor assembly. Also, it has a built-in regulator for speed control that ensures you have the preferred speed settings whenever you need to use it. The lightweight construction will also ensure it does not feel too heavy in your hands and that it will not make you uncomfortable while you use it.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Adjustable speed settings
- Great for overhead and vertical applications
- Affordable price
- Works for all kinds of metal products
Cons
- Many people received a product that wasn’t working at all
3. Valianto 6″ Professional Air Random Orbital Palm Sander
Low vibration is something that everyone should be looking for in an orbital sander, and thankfully, this feature is not missing from this Valianto item. This unit is very lightweight, and the motor is balanced with a smooth operation. As such, there is barely any vibration produced, which ensures that you will smooth the surfaces evenly and with no damage.
It is easy to handle and you only need one hand to be able to operate it. Fatigue will be reduced thanks to how lightweight it is, and that will make the entire process more pleasant. Besides the fact that it is ideal for auto body, the machine is also great for wood, furniture, metal products, and many other things. Moreover, you can control the speed and obtain the result you are looking for.
Pros
- The vibration is low
- It can be used for multiple applications
- It has controllable speed
- It is very efficient
Cons
- It does not have the best quality
4. Ingersoll Rand 328B Heavy Duty Air Geared Orbital Sander
This dual-action orbital sander is all you need if you want to obtain a very smooth surface. It is great to use on flat surfaces, even very large ones, and will leave the area even and sleek – ready for a fresh coat of paint.
Something that we love about it is the fact that it does not wear out the user. In fact, it is very comfortable to use and it has a low-vibration performance overall. Therefore, it will perform at top condition and will do a great job. Besides, it will always ensure proper performance, even if it is not your first time using it.
It also has a 1-year limited warranty – so, in case something is wrong with the unit, you can contact the company and solve the issue.
Pros
- It will always work as good as new
- It comes with a 1-year warranty
- Low-vibration performance
- It does not wear out the user
Cons
- It is a little pricey
5. CUBITRON 3M Random Orbital Sander Pneumatic Palm Sander
The smooth operation of this orbital sander makes is something that people appreciate. It has a precision-balanced motor that will ensure the user feels comfortable at all times. Also, it makes sure the control is amazing and you obtain a great result. Moreover, the motor is powerful enough so that the sanding process leaves a smooth surface behind.
The Stikit Disc Pad included will be easy to attach thanks to the adhesive provided, so that you won’t have to spend too much time figuring out how it works. The ergonomic design will also improve the performance and offer a good grip of the device.
Last, but not least, the body is durable thanks to its aluminum construction, and the risk of cracks or any damage is considerably reduced.
Pros
- Durable housing
- It features a very powerful motor
- Ergonomic design
- The smooth operation leading to nice finishes
Cons
- It is quite expensive compared to other models
6. FIXKIT 6″ Air Random Orbital Sander
This FIXKIT tool is a professional one, and its performance proves that. Not only is it very easy to handle in your hand, but it also has a stable performance that gives amazing speed control. This is the main reason why this particular model caught our attention.
The tool can offer a speed control of 10000 rpm per minute thanks to the built-in regulator. That being said, this orbital sander will do a great job if you want to use it on your car. Other than that, it has a dust suction system, so you will not have to deal with any heavy dust anymore. It has exhaust emissions that make siphon effects, which then help self-absorb the debris at the bottom to a suction hose. So, there will be no dust blown into your face and the operations will be more comfortable and pleasant to perform.
Pros
- It is very affordable
- It has a dust suction system
- It features a built-in regulator with speed control
- Ergonomically designed
Cons
- It requires a lot of air volume to work
Air Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work Buying Guide
While you can find air orbital sanders in local shops or on the Internet, discovering the best one could easily turn into the longest treasure hunt of your life. The truth is, there are many good models, but there are also many poor-quality devices that you should stay away from. Knowing what to avoid is never easy unless you are fully informed about these machines and what each one should do to be considered good.
We want you to end up with the best unit for your applications. So, below we will tell you about some aspects you should take into consideration when shopping for an air orbital sander for auto body work.
1. Size of the Air Compressor
These machines are air-operated, so it only makes sense that you’re going to need an air compressor to be able to run them. But you don’t need just any air compressor – you must get the right one. Each air orbital sander will need a certain air compressor size to be able to run properly. In general, you will find information about this in the product specifications.
As a rule of thumb, though, you should get a pretty large air compressor to run a unit like this because it takes a lot of compressed air to be able to sand an entire auto body. So, before you purchase an orbital sander, you should make sure that you get a powerful air compressor.
2. Design and Weight
If you don’t want to deal with any discomfort while using the orbital sander, you have to pay attention to the weight and design of the machine. You don’t want anything too heavy, because this will wear you out very early in the process.
Ideally, you need something very light and easy to operate, because this will let you hold it for prolonged periods without complaining about painful wrists. So, the lighter it is, the better. Also, if it has a palm-size handle design, it will be much easier to use because it will feel comfortable and will let you control the machine exactly as you want it.
Not only will a lightweight design feel better for your hands and arms, but it will also make sure there is less vibration while you are working, which will add more precision overall.
3. Variable Speed
Being able to set your preferred speed is always a plus. So, when you’re on the hunt for an air orbital sander, you should always look for a model that comes with multiple speeds and never settle for a single-speed unit.
Having multiple speeds will help you enjoy a more customized experience, and then you will be able to obtain a better finish after you sand the surface. Depending on what you’re using the orbital sander on, you may not need the same speed at all times – this is why it’s important to have multiple options to choose from.
Luckily, the market is filled with various models that have variable speeds. So, always consider one that lets you choose from a minimum of 2-3 speed options.
4. Dust Collector
It is not a secret that sanding an area will result in a lot of dust, and this will easily make a mess around you. It can also be pretty annoying if it ends up on your clothes, hair, and face and you might even inhale it, which is not healthy at all.
Well, to avoid this, you should know that there are orbital sanders with dust collectors. So, the wise thing to do is to look for a model with this feature. The dust collector ports in these models will put you in control of the dust and will make sure you are working in a healthy environment. Sanding can be harmful to your health, particularly if you are sanding steel. This is why you need to make sure your orbital sander will collect the dust, so you don’t end up inhaling it.
Look for an orbital sander that has a vacuum attachment option so you can operate in safe conditions.
5. Price
Just like any other product on the market, air orbital sanders come for all sorts of prices. Some are pricier, whereas other models could be quite inexpensive and go below $50. Just bear in mind that the price does not always indicate the quality, meaning that an expensive unit will not always be better just because the price is high. An expensive sander could very well fail the same way a cheaper model does.
You need to consider the features that raised the price that much. What does the machine offer that other cheaper products don’t? Does it have high-quality parts? Are the features more numerous and more effective? Does it come with an extended warranty? Carefully analyze the features of the product and check out the reviews too. This way, you will easily realize whether the high price tag is worth it or not.
FAQ About Air Orbital Sander for Auto Body Work
1. What are random orbital sanders?
Random orbital sanders are not that different from orbital sanders. They are also known as dual action (or DA) sanders. These tools do the same job, except for the fact that the movement is different. They move in a circular motion, but they go forward and backward. Most of the time, a random orbital sander is a great tool for auto body work.
2. Is an orbital sander worth it?
If you need to polish or sand certain surfaces, it is definitely worth it. These unique tools will not only do a great job with flat surfaces but will also deal with corners and edges, as previously mentioned. However, they are only to be used when there isn’t too much material to remove. The units are not that aggressive, so their performance will be reduced when dealing with excess material.
3. Which one is better: an orbital sander or a palm sander?
You should know that both tools are amazing for different things. Whereas an orbital sander is a heavy-duty device, palm sanders are more lightweight in comparison and work for different applications. For instance, orbital tools are meant for larger pieces whereas palm sanders are better for small pieces. Not to mention that an orbital sander will get the job done faster, while palm sanders may take longer but offer a smoother result in the end.
Wrap Up
As you can see, the best air orbital sander for auto body work can help you get the job done faster. Choosing the right tool is not that simple but if you use the information we provided in the buying guide, the search will be trouble-free and you should be ready to go look for your ideal item.
The products we reviewed should also give you an insight into these devices and how many good models you can find out there. You can even settle for one of them if you think it has everything you’re looking for. If not, make sure you do your research carefully and analyze the features and prices so that you can find the best orbital sander for your needs.
