I agree. I don't advocate getting a big powerful buffer slapping a cutting pad on it and going to town, that would be crazy and result in paint damage but the small rotary I linked to with a waffle pad running on low speed for cutting is about as safe as you can get with type of machine so you can learn.
I don't suggest you start out on a car with good paint but a beater or junkyard part would be ideal to learn on.
The problem is people wanting to buff their cars often which isn't good at all, regardless of what machine is used every time you do it you remove paint it doesn't matter if you do it quickly with a rotary or slowly with a DA it still remove material.
These tools like any other is something learned and should be done with proper training and practice, an air chisel is no more dangerous than a hammer and cold chisel if used properly but things can go bad quickly in untrained hands.
I buff my cars after I paint them and when I go to sell them otherwise a buffer of any type doesn't come near the paint. Hand wash, clay bar and a good wax is all thats needed. What people either don't realize or consider is whenever a scratch no matter how small is removed you are not removing the scratch but the surrounding paint.
I looked at the car from a "professional" detailer and the paint was so thin the car needed a repaint especially the hood and trunk because he buffed it o often.
I understand not wanting paint full of swirls so the trick is to prevent them in the first place if appearance is that important.
There is one DA that stands out and thats the big foot but again its only "good" because its fast meaning it also removes a lot of material quickly.
