The 5 Best Orbital Sanders for Auto Body Work in 2024

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If you are looking for the best orbital sander for auto body work to suit your DIY style, then you've come to the right place!

We have analyzed dozens of orbital sanders out there and have picked the best ones for a body shop, so that you don't have to!

Here are the top five performing units on the market today.

Top 5 Auto Body Work Orbital Sanders

Porter-Cable 6 Inch Random Orbit Sander
5/5
Arksen 7" Variable Speed Car Polisher/Buffer/Sander
Arksen 7" Variable Speed Car Polisher/Buffer/Sander
4.5/5
Great for the price. I used it to buff out my car and I was really happy with the end result.
Black + Decker Random Orbit Sander 5-inch
5/5
Don't let the low price fool you. It powered through sanding my whole car!
Bosch Variable Speed Palm Sander
5/5
Worked great for sanding a project car. It was easy to handle and didn't tire me out either which was an added bonus.
Dewalt DWE6423K 5-inch Sander
5/5
As good, if not better than a DA sander that requires air.


1. Porter-Cable 7346SP Random Orbit Sander

This 6″ random orbit sander from Porter Cable has a powerful 4.5 Amp motor and features an electronic variable speed dial which operates between 2500 and 6800 OPM for effective use and versatility.

Its random orbit swirl free sanding and polishing action ensures a professional looking finish for auto body work.

This model includes a 6″ proprietary counter balance to allow for use with a 6″ polishing or sanding pad.

This unit works with 5/16 – 24 spindle thread accessories for greater flexibility and has a 2 position removable side handle to allow for greater control and better comfort for the user.

Perfect for use on automotive projects this Porter Cable sander has a high overload protection and weighs just 6 pounds, ensuring that the user does not experience excessive fatigue even when used for extended periods (e.g. car paint removal).

Its full ball and roller bearing construction ensures durability even under industrial workloads and the entire tool is effectively protected by a three year manufacturer’s warranty for complete peace of mind for the purchaser.

Pros

  • 2 position adjustable handle for better user comfort
  • Ball and roller bearing construction for increased durability
  • Swirl free sanding and polishing action for professional finish

Cons

  • Struggles to remove deep scratches
  • Produces quite a lot of vibration

2. Arksen Electric Car Polisher/Buffer/Sander

Ideal for automotive body work projects, this variable 6 speed, dual action electric sander by Arksen has a 1600 Watt motor and a solid body construction for extra robustness and durability.

The D Type handle allows for better user control and the trigger has also been designed to be user friendly.

With its 6 variable speeds, this easy to handle buffer produces the perfect finish for a variety of applications and on a range of materials.

Versatile enough to use for both sanding and polishing applications, this model features an electronic speed control for the maintenance of a constant speed even under load.

With its soft start feature, smoother start ups are guaranteed while the lock on button allows for convenient continuous use at a single speed.

This heavy duty tool has a solid construction ensuring a long lifespan while the spine lock allows for easier disc attachment to cut down on downtime between tasks.

This model also has a safety switch for the user’s better safety.

Pros

  • Soft start feature for smoother start ups
  • Safety switch for user’s safety
  • 6 variable speeds for extra versatility

Cons

  • Can get hot after extended use
  • Noisier than some other models

3. Black & Decker BDERO100 Random Orbit Sander

With its random orbital action, this 5″ sander from Black and Decker offers a high quality finish as well as a high removal rate to get the job done more quickly.

The hook and loop system ensures simple and rapid sand paper changes and the dust sealed switch ensures that the internal workings are kept free from debris and dust for a longer lifespan.

Thanks to its compact size, DIYers can enjoy better visibility for their project, being able to get closer to the work surface.

Its ergonomic design guarantees improved comfort for the user as well as ensuring better control of the tool throughout use.

This versatile sander is the perfect addition to any home workshop and is ideal for use on automotive projects.

Pros

  • Dust sealed switch to keep internal components free from dust
  • Hook and loop system for quick and easy paper changes
  • Compact size for better closeness to the work surface

Cons

  • Dust filter is not very effective
  • Louder than some other models

4. Bosch ROS20VSK Variable Speed Orbital Sander Kit

This 5 inch palm sander from Bosch is simple to use and is perfect for use in all automotive body work projects.

Thanks to the compact and durable twist off dust canister, it is easy to detach and shows the dust level at a glance for the user’s convenience.

This product also has a microfilter system to ensure optimal filtering of all particles and fine dust, being able to effectively trap particles that are as small as half a micron in diameter.

The hook and loop system for disc attachment has more than 35,000 long life hooks to guarantee better grip for the disc and the variable speed dial increases the flexibility of this tool, allowing the user to properly match the most appropriate speed to the task and work piece at hand.

The anti-spillback canister decreases dust spillback into the sander, effectively protecting its inner workings and increasing the tool’s lifespan and the combination of rotation and pad orbit ensures a rapid removal as well as a professional smooth finish.

The integral pad dampening brake system diminishes any swirl marks for a finer finish and as the entire tool only weighs 3.5 pounds, this sander is easy to handle and offers better user control with less fatigue even in extended applications.

Pros

  • Twist off canister with visible dust level
  • Variable speed for greater flexibility
  • Integral pad dampening system to diminish swirl marks

Cons

  • Dust collection does not work well
  • Too top heavy to be controlled from the top

5. Dewalt DWE6423K 3 amp Orbital Sander

Manufactured by the high quality Dewalt brand, this random orbit sander comes complete with a cloth dust bag for convenient transportation and storage between uses.

Its powerful 3 amp motor spins at 8,000 - 12,000 OPM to provide the optimal sanding speed for all kinds of applications including auto body work.

The textured body grip and anti-slip top ensures the ultimate user control and comfort throughout use and the trademarked Controlled Finishing System delivers a clean and smooth finish.

This model also features an integrated dust bag which can keep the work space safe and clean, with less mess to remove once work is complete.

The sealed switch and sealed ball bearings ensure a long lifespan as well as increased robustness and durability.

Specially designed to be lightweight, this model has an anti vibration design for better user comfort. All of this, while maintaining a high speed.

This tool is protected by a 3 year manufacturer’s warranty.

Pros

  • Integrated dust bag for less mess
  • Textured body grip for better user comfort
  • Variable speed setting for greater versatility

Cons

  • On/off switch can be tricky to operate
  • An adapter is required to attach to a non-Dewalt vacuum

About THE AUTHOR

Drew - CountrySilo

Drew

Co-Founder CountrySilo

Growing up around the farmlands of the Midwest you learn at an early age getting your hands dirty is a way of life. Whether it was helping my Grandpa make cedar furniture, mowing neighborhood lawns or throwing bails of hay the do-it-yourself mentality runs strong in our family.

I am excited to help you tackle your projects and discover new ways to make your house a home!

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