buffer is great for hood, top and trunk. The thing is don't put all your weight into it or anything. just sort of let it glide across the surface. it will not wreck your paint job or anything. just like doing it by hand if you are gentle. sides are probably best done by hand. its a purist thing why some do it by hand. I have nothing against it, i've done it both ways, so i use the buffer where it works best, elbow grease where it doesn't.