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Adam's Swirl Killer Machine Polisher | Long Throw Random Orbital Polisher

 

Adam's Swirl Killer is a 15mm long throw random orbital machine polisher designed with our customer in mind. This product has less vibration, reduced long term fatigue and has been tested in the market on hundreds of cars for over a year. With the Swirl Killer, you can confidently remove swirl marks, scratches, and other flaws in the painted surface of your vehicle in a safe and easy manner when paired with the proper pads and polishes, to make your vehicle look as perfect as possible.

 

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FAQ's

 

Q:  What is a Long Throw Polisher?

A:  A long throw polisher like the Adam's Swirl Killer is a dual-action machine polisher that oscillates and shakes the backing plate and polishing pad in many directions in quick motions, several thousand times per minute. The movement mimics how our hand moves in an irregular circular pattern when polishing or waxing a surface by hand. Dual action polishers differ from rotary buffers in that rotary buffers have fixed rotation and spin only in a circular motion without oscillating the pad. Rotary buffers are rated in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) as opposed to the Oscillations Per Minute (OPM) of a Long Throw Dual Action Polisher.

 

Long Throw Polishers typically have a 15mm or 21mm orbit pattern. While a 21mm throw can correct imperfections a little more quickly than a 15mm throw, the larger orbit and larger pad size for these machines can make them a little more difficult to use on some vehicles with very complex curves. Therefore, we chose a 15mm throw with smaller 5.5” pads for the Adam's Swirl Killer for it to be more versatile for most of our customers.

 

Adam's Swirl Killer allows you to finish down a surface amazingly, to as near flawless as possible with minimal effort.  In some instances, this can be accomplished in as little as one polishing step, unlike rotary buffers. Rotary buffers can leave holograms or buffer trails from improper technique, pad type, or compound, which then require additional polishing steps to make the surface hologram free. The longer throw of the Swirl Killer when compared to other traditional random orbital polishers allows for stronger and faster correction, while still being safe on the surface. For these reasons, Long Throw Polishers are bridging the gap in regards to time savings compared to Rotary Buffers.

 

Q:  How does the Adam’s Swirl Killer work? How does it remove swirl marks and imperfections?

A:  The Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher works by rotating and oscillating a foam or microfiber polishing pad across the clean and clayed painted surface of a vehicle, using the pad to spread a micro abrasive polish and work it into the finish. The polish and pad smooth away imperfections like light scratches and swirl marks by leveling out the surface, removing a very thin layer of clear coat or base coat at the micron level, rather than attempting to hide or fill them in with a temporary product. Adam’s Correcting Polish with an Adam’s 5.5” Orange Foam Pad attached to the machine can be used to cut through most typical swirl marks in a safe manner.

 

Some deeper imperfections or very hard clear coats may require a more aggressive approach, which can be handled with Adam’s Heavy Correcting Compound and an Adam’s 5.5” Blue Foam Pad or 5.5" Microfiber Cutting Pad. Lastly, Adam’s Finishing Polish when combined with an Adam’s 5.5” White Foam Pad will leave the surface as perfect as possible, removing any very fine micro-scratches that may have been caused by the Correcting Polish or Heavy Correcting Compound, and providing the best shine and gloss possible before applying the appropriate Adam’s protection product (sealant, wax, or coating) for your vehicle.

 

Q:  What are the technical specifications of the Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher?

A:  The Adam’s Swirl Killer has a 15mm throw orbit diameter, which means that the backing plate and attached foam or microfiber polishing pad oscillate 15mm in multiple directions, thousands of times per minute. It has a speed control dial with speeds from 1-6, with “1” being the lowest amount Oscillations Per Minute at 2,000 OPM, to “6” being the highest at 4,500 OPM. It has a 500W motor (750W maximum) for strong and safe paint correction. The backing plate is approximately 5” in diameter, making it compatible with multiple generations of Adam’s 5.5” and 6” machine polishing pads. The polisher itself weighs 5.75 pounds and is approximately 16.75” in length. The power cord length is 25 feet to have less worry about running out of cord while maneuvering around a vehicle.

 

Q:  What is the warranty/repair policy for the Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher?

A:  The Adam’s Swirl Killer comes with a standard 1 year warranty. It covers any defects, manufacturing issues, or operational failures to the machine. Please contact our Customer Service team by phone at 866-965-0400 or by email to orders@adamspolishes.com for any warranty or repair work for fastest resolution to any problems.

 

Q:  Where is the Adam’s Swirl Killer made and assembled?

A:  The Swirl Killer is made and assembled in China to Adam’s Polishes specifications. We are always pushing to bring our customers the best products we can deliver at a fair price. When it came to machines, we constantly heard from customers about the high prices, so we went to work to source the best polisher we could find for a reasonable price, and then had the manufacturer incorporate our own design tweaks and requests.

 

Q:  What are the design benefits of this polisher?

A:  The Swirl Killer polisher has several design features that make it more enjoyable and comfortable to use. The trigger is large, easy to engage, and has a lock mechanism to reduce strain and fatigue on your fingers when polishing for an extended period. The trigger also features a soft start for a smooth and safe start when you pull the trigger. The hand grip above the polishing head is rubber for reduced vibration through your hand and arm. The backing plate has a strong Velcro hook and loop system to keep polishing pads secure during use, but still easy enough to remove the pad without too much effort. The power cord is a soft rubber design so that it can comfortably drape over your shoulder while polishing and not twist or tangle as easily. The cord is a longer 25-foot length for easier maneuverability around the vehicle.

 

Q:  What are the wear items of the Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher? How long will it last?

A:  There are a few potential wear items with the Swirl Killer Polisher:

The brushes inside of the polisher housing can wear down over time, much like other power tools. We include spare brushes, and they can be replaced easily by following the instructional video here: Video coming soon.

The backing plate is another wear item. Over time, the hook and loop Velcro attachment system can weaken, especially if the machine is abused by using too much downward pressure on a panel, which can create more heat build-up in the pad and backing plate. Excessive heat from overuse could potentially melt the Velcro material if the pad gets too hot, so we do recommend polishing in a 2-foot by 2-foot section at a time and allowing the machine to cool down for a few minutes if it begins to feel very warm. With proper use, the backing plate will hold up fine through several vehicles and multiple years of use.  If the backing plate begins to fail or does not seem to hold a pad as firmly, test out a new pad first to see how well it attaches. If it does not hold well, it may be time to purchase a new replacement backing plate, which we offer here: Product page coming soon.

The third main possible wear item is the power cord. If the power cord is sliced open, kinked too tightly (for example, caught under a tire), or damaged at the attachment point to the handle of the machine from wrapping the cord too tightly, these all pose risk of possible electrical issues or injury. Do not operate the machine if the cord is damaged in any way, and contact out Customer Service Team by phone at 866-965-400 or by email to orders@adamspolishes.com

 

Q:  How do I properly care for the polisher?

A:  This polisher is a precision tool. Like all precision tools, it should be respected and not abused. Do not drop the polisher. Always unplug the polisher and store it in a safe location after use. Keep the polisher away from children to avoid any possible injury. Do not use the polisher in any way other than intended - to polish a painted surface. Do not modify the polisher, as this will void the warranty. Do not wrap the cord too tightly around the polisher, to avoid any possible damage or electrical shorts. Perform routine maintenance – inspect the polisher before and after every use, ensure that vents in the polisher casing are free of obstructions during use and afterward to allow for proper cooling. Keep the machine clean of excess polish residue or dust by wiping the casing with a damp towel. Only use the trigger lock mechanism on the machine – do not use any other form of trigger lock. Always start and stop the polisher with the pad face flat on the surface to be polished. Do not free-spin the polisher off the painted surface at high speeds. Keep your fingers firmly near the hand grip and away from the spinning backing plate to avoid injury.

 

Q:  Are backing plates covered under warranty?

A:  The backing plate is considered a wear item, so damage to the backing plate from overheating the backing plate surface from improper use is not covered under warranty. We do have replacement backing plates available for purchase. In the event of a manufacturing defect, we will warranty the backing plate following the standard warranty of the polisher itself.

 

Q:  What polishing pads are compatible with Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher?

A:  Our newest 5.5” foam and microfiber polishing pads are compatible with and designed for the Adam’s Swirl Killer Polisher; however, our previous Generation 5 and Generation 6 pads are compatible as well. The Gen6 foam pads will have slightly more pad overhang on the backing plate, but they will still be effective at polishing.

 

Q:  Do you offer any complete package kits with the Swirl Killer Polisher?

A:  Yes, we offer a few different package kits for the Swirl Killer, linked below:

 

Adam’s Two Step Swirl Killer 15MM Kit

Adam’s Two Step Swirl Killer Advanced Kit

Adam’s Three Step Swirl Killer Complete Polishing Kit

 

Q:  How long will it take to machine polish an entire vehicle?

A:  Performing a full paint correction on a vehicle can vary significantly based on many factors, so there’s no fair amount of time to list here. Some vehicles may quickly correct in as little as 1 step with the orange Correcting Polish and an Orange Foam Pad, but others may require a full 3 step polishing process with Heavy Correcting Compound, Correcting Polish, and then Finishing Polish with their respective pads.

 

Size of the vehicle also factors in – trucks and crossover vehicles have much more surface area than a small sports car, so logically they will take more time to complete. Vehicles with a hard clear coat may take more passes to get perfect than others with a soft clear coat or single stage paint finish. Once you factor in washing the vehicle and claying prior to paint correction, the whole process could take upwards of 10 hours or more, so you will want to plan accordingly if you need to space the work out over multiple days.

 

Q:  What is the operating decibel level of the Adam’s Swirl Killer?

A:  The maximum decibel level measured from the Adam’s Swirl Killer during use under load at maximum speed setting ‘6’ is 85 dB measured at 2 feet from the polisher. Free spinning sound level at maximum speed ‘6’ is 80 dB measured from 3 feet away. Free spinning at maximum speed ‘6’ measured from approximately 3 inches from the motor is 100 dB. Hearing protection is recommended and encouraged for prolonged use of the polisher.

 

Q:  What is the power requirement for the Adam’s Swirl Killer?

A:  Adam’s Swirl Killer uses standard 110V electricity found in the U.S. It is not compatible with 220V electricity found in many countries. The Swirl Killer uses a grounded electrical plug. Do not modify the electrical plug for use with a non-grounded power outlet. We plan on offering a 220V model of the Swirl Killer at a future date. Stayed tuned for more updates on the international version of the polisher.

 

Q:  Why doesn’t the Adam’s Swirl Killer come with a threaded side-mount handle attachment?

A:  We do not include a side mount handle with the Swirl Killer because in our testing, it does not allow the polisher to perform as well as it does without the handle. Having a side handle can cause uneven pressure and a tilting of the polishing pad and backing plate as you use the machine, whereas with having one hand at the trigger and your other hand above the polishing head at the top of the machine, this allows for more control and a better feel to have equal, flat, and light downward pressure on the surface being worked upon. Side handles are typically heavy as well, adding more weight to the machine and more shipping weight to the packaging of the polisher.

 

Q:  How many polishing pads do I need to complete polishing one vehicle?

A:  You may be able to accomplish polishing an entire vehicle with one pad of each type/color; however, you would need to span this out over the course of several days, since the polishing pad will most likely have too much polish residue built up into it after you’ve polished half of the vehicle to continue being effective, and it would then need to be thoroughly cleaned out and let dry before using it again for the remainder of the vehicle.

 

Therefore, we typically recommend having at least 2 clean polishing pads of each type if you are wishing to do a full paint correction in one detailing session. Having a backup pad in case of any accidental pad damage from sharp emblems and so on is also good practice so that you don’t end up stuck in the middle of a detail while waiting for new pads to arrive.

 

Q:  What is the expected life of a polishing pad?

A:  If properly cared for and not abused, our microfiber and foam polishing pads should have a life of 3-5 full paint corrections or more. Abuse from improper technique, too much downward pressure, harsh chemical cleaners, dried up polish residue in the pad, and several other factors could reduce pad life significantly.

 

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Probably a common question will be - is it worthwhile to upgrade from a PC to this? I'm thinking it's a definite yes for smoother operation and the longer throw. I am supposing it's not worth the additional $150+ to jump up to the Rupes 15-II for an amateur detailer like me. Sounds like a winner filling that gap in the market, I'll have to start saving up for the upgrade!

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Probably a common question will be - is it worthwhile to upgrade from a PC to this? I'm thinking it's a definite yes for smoother operation and the longer throw. I am supposing it's not worth the additional $150+ to jump up to the Rupes 15-II for an amateur detailer like me. Sounds like a winner filling that gap in the market, I'll have to start saving up for the upgrade!

 

A definite yes to that.  A big improvement over the PC in operation and results.

 

Will this machine also accept other size backing plates "4 etc?

 

Nope.

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Hi dan just to get things clear in my head this swirl killer is a step up from the pc but below the rupes mark-ll 15mm or am I still confused I know price point is different are the backing plates different and are the new pads compatible with mark-ll 15mm

Thanks bob

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Thanks for FAQ Dan! And the email reply earlier.. Please Tell me this is the closest thing to a rupes 15 in terms of comfort and results, Today I did a 6 hour job with the gg6 and it was a horrible experience, acceptable results but I can't feel my arms atm! I'd love to see some input.. Thanks guys!

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Hi dan just to get things clear in my head this swirl killer is a step up from the pc but below the rupes mark-ll 15mm or am I still confused I know price point is different are the backing plates different and are the new pads compatible with mark-ll 15mm

Thanks bob

the rupes has I higher top speed . For that reason I would say your correct
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It's good to see the "upcoming" products I glimpsed during a visit to Adam's HQ last month coming to market.  While I didn't bring a buffer home, a couple of products with hand-written labels resemble what's available here... :secret:

 

Having seen them in action, I know they're GOOD STUFF and worthy of the Adam's brand! 

Edited by Norton
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Hi dan just to get things clear in my head this swirl killer is a step up from the pc but below the rupes mark-ll 15mm or am I still confused I know price point is different are the backing plates different and are the new pads compatible with mark-ll 15mm

Thanks bob

 

The SK Polisher is a big step up from the Porter-Cable, but it does not have as much power as the Mark 2 version of the Rupes 15.

 

From my limited experience with this new polisher, the power difference between the SKP and R15mk2 is not a huge factor in typical polishing tasks.

 

The new pads fit both machines, as they both have 5" backing plates.

 

Please Tell me this is the closest thing to a rupes 15 in terms of comfort and results,

 

Yes, this new polisher is very nice to use, it runs smooth and is comparable in comfort to the Rupes 15.

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Who makes it and where?

 

 

 

Q:  Where is the Adam’s Swirl Killer made and assembled?

A:  The Swirl Killer is made and assembled in China to Adam’s Polishes specifications. We are always pushing to bring our customers the best products we can deliver at a fair price. When it came to machines, we constantly heard from customers about the high prices, so we went to work to source the best polisher we could find for a reasonable price, and then had the manufacturer incorporate our own design tweaks and requests.

 

 

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Am I the only one who is disturbed that Adams is selling an item made in China? Adams actually stopped offering the PC a while back because its country of origin changed to China for a time. Now their logo is even on this thing! Im sure the product will perform and be a seller for them but it's sort of a deal with the devil. One not so minor reason I am an Adam's customer is because they didnt do this sort of thing.

 

 

Check out the video below, about 3 min in.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jM55kroCAAs

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Am I the only one who is disturbed that Adams is selling an item made in China? Adams actually stopped offering the PC a while back because its country of origin changed to China for a time. Now their logo is even on this thing! Im sure the product will perform and be a seller for them but it's sort of a deal with the devil. One not so minor reason I am an Adam's customer is because they didnt do this sort of thing.

Check out the video below, about 3 min in.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jM55kroCAAs

I don't agree with this statement personally. Outside of the cyclo and rupes which is still Italian in my eyes but is made here now since the factory opened after the purchase of cyclo what other polishers do you see USA made. Adam's delivered us a product that fits the needs of a true enthusist. Yes it's made in China but if Adam believes it is good enough quality I believe him. This polisher fills a void in the market in a huge positive way I think. Adam's did not design this to be the next huge advancement of polishers they designed it to bridge a Gap between the pc and rupes or flex machines in my eyes. The unit is a fair price for a machine of its caliber. The way trade is today staying all USA is not a financially possible mark all the time unfortunately.

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Am I the only one who is disturbed that Adams is selling an item made in China? Adams actually stopped offering the PC a while back because its country of origin changed to China for a time. Now their logo is even on this thing! Im sure the product will perform and be a seller for them but it's sort of a deal with the devil. One not so minor reason I am an Adam's customer is because they didnt do this sort of thing.

 

 

Check out the video below, about 3 min in.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jM55kroCAAs

That video is from 2013, and company policy has changed since then. Here is a post with a more current video on this subject:

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/31381-lookie-what-we-have-here-another-new-product/?p=496887

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That video is from 2013, and company policy has changed since then. Here is a post with a more current video on this subject:http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/31381-lookie-what-we-have-here-another-new-product/?p=496887

heres the thing I'm sure the issue isn't weather or not adams has a policy or not or that it's changed . It's that the the original policy that Adam had was a moral one based on the fact that in China they don't have proper safety regulations for their staff or pay them a fair wage which I understood and respected. I also uderstand that not everything can be made in the USA,some items are simply unavailable. There was never much grief given over the Flex because Germany takes care of their employees as does Italy.in the case of this new polisher it's adams own and he chose to make it in China my guess is for better profit margins . Which is fine a afterall he is here to make money. But in order to save face he has to stop saying made in USA whenever possible because clearly not the case here Edited by PostalTwo
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heres the thing I'm sure the issue isn't weather or not adams has a policy or not or that it's changed . It's that the the original policy that Adam had was a moral one based on the fact that in China they don't have proper safety regulations for their staff or pay them a fair wage which I understood and respected. I also uderstand that not everything can be made in the USA,some items are simply unavailable. There was never much grief given over the Flex because Germany takes care of their employees as does Italy.in the case of this new polisher it's adams own and he chose to make it in China my guess is for better profit margins . Which is fine a afterall he is here to make money. But in order to save face he has to stop saying made in USA whenever possible because clearly not the case here

I don't think it's based solely on profit margins Trevor, sure each business wants to make as much as possible. That being said if Adams realsed another 400 mark polisher would you think people would jump all over it when the market in that range is pretty well taken by the rupes line for a long throw. I think they gave customers a more affordable option compared to the high dollar professional style machines. I could be wrong but Adams caters to enthusiast more than the professional and I believe this is why he chose to take this route. It doesn't help us if he makes a polisher in then USA, England, Germany if the price is just as much if not more than the rupes line.

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This topic is closer to politics than detailing. A bit of a slippery slope, indeed.

 

Adams' products are mostly made in the USA. Their customer service is beyond reproach. And it appears they treat their employees well. They seem to take a very high road competing in an industry with players worldwide. None of this changes, regardless where the polisher is made. 

Edited by LT1xL82
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Made u the USA , Is a very powerful marketing tool. One that Adam has enjoyed for years and one that speaks to may people particularly to Americans .I don’t have a problem with companies selling Chinese goods, many do and it’s very often way to get a cheap knockoff version of the real thing. This is great for those that cannot afford the real McCoy because it gives them an opportunity to improve there polishing equipment from something like a Porter cable . The problem for me is that Adams sells his goods under the premise that he has a moral code ,one that doesn’t support products made in countries that don’t offer fair wages and safe working environments for their staff . If he wants to sell a polisher made in china don’t care . But imo he has to stop saying made in USA whenever possible because he has his name on the tool and chose where to have it built . I’m not saying ppl shouldn’t buy this tool or that it won’t improve people’s polishing experience ,all I’m saying is that going forward Adam should by rights change his marketing tactics , so he is not lying to his customers. Adams products are of high quality and I’m sure this new tool will be fine .he has also been quite transparent about where his stuff comes from which I respect for sure . I’m not going to stop using his stuff ,I like them as do many of his customers .

Edited by PostalTwo
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Made u the USA , Is a very powerful marketing tool. One that Adam has enjoyed for years and one that speaks to may people particularly to Americans .I don’t have a problem with companies selling Chinese goods, many do and it’s very often way to get a cheap knockoff version of the real thing. This is great for those that cannot afford the real McCoy because it gives them an opportunity to improve there polishing equipment from something like a Porter cable . The problem for me is that Adams sells his goods under the premise that he has a moral code ,one that doesn’t support products made in countries that don’t offer fair wages and safe working environments for their staff . If he wants to sell a polisher made in china don’t care . But imo he has to stop saying made in USA whenever possible because he has his name on the tool and chose where to have it built . I’m not saying ppl shouldn’t buy this tool or that it won’t improve people’s polishing experience ,all I’m saying is that going forward Adam should by rights change his marketing tactics , so he is not lying to his customers. Adams products are of high quality and I’m sure this new tool will be fine .he has also been quite transparent about where his stuff comes from which I respect for sure . I’m not going to stop using his stuff ,I like them as do many of his customers .

Did you even look at the (nearly two year old) video TheWolf linked?  Adam CLEARLY explains his philosophy about various product's country of origin.  The Swirl Killer's product page clearly states the units are "Made in China."  

 

Everybody's got an opinion and you're welcome to yours.  In mine, Adam is being honest when he says "made in USA whenever possible." Dwhite0960 nailed it - one of the key performance parameters for this new polisher was PRICE.  Unless you can point to a comparable polisher at a comparable price that's made in the USA, you should stop casting aspersions. Adam is NOT "lying to his customers." He's meeting the demand for a decent unit at a lower price point than other manufacturers offer, while clearly telling would-be buyers where it's made.  Each is free to make an informed choice about whether to purchase or not.  Stop grinding your axe and go back to polishing your car.

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