Best Rotory Results

B

BLACKWRX

New member
I am just starting to feel more comfortable using the rotory
a few things i noticed:
1. I generally use speeds from 600 to 1500
2. Do you guys feel you get better results if a small pad than a big pad, i went from using a 8.5 inch pad to 6 or 6.5 inch, with the 8.5 i noticed the pad would skip and hop, and leave swirl marks, i noticed with the 6 inch the whole pad ( i feel) hits the surface more evenly and is easier to control, and leaves a near perfect swirl free finish.
3. in terms of technique i find a very consist, constantly moving motion, with NO skipping or hopping provides good results.....i gernerally spread the product over the panel with the machine off, then on a low speed 600 to 900, lightly pressing work in the product, then i press harder at maybe 1100 or 1200, then at around 1000 or 900 lightly go over the panel....finally i will use a dual action at setting 3 to 5 to work in a good wax, then with a microfiber i buff off again on setting 3 to 5...
when playing around with the rotory the one big thing i noticed the size of the pad, i really like the smaller pads 6 inch or so....
i am looking for a critique on my process :D ? positive or negative
 
Sounds about right to me, but I'm new w/ the rotary too. What rotary do you have? I'm using the harbor freight one and it works very well, and only cost 40 bucks!
 
I run mine at 1200 RPM's and use the Edge pads that I think are 8.5 inch pads, I think that pad size is a personal preference IMO what ever one works for you is the right one....Hoping for the most part is caused by excess product on the pad...or incorrect pressure...I make sure to wipe the pads off on a regular bases while I'm working around the car. With pressure I tend to keep the pad very light on the car....its not the pressure of the pad on the car...its the heat of the product that allows it to work for you...

My motion I work four way up and down..then the opposite of that then at an angle both ways to make sure that I have broke down the product and taken out every thing that is in the way...

I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing other than maybe cleaning the pad a bit more to help reduce the hoping...and reduce the pressure so that the product can work for you...also the speeds...I work with one speed and get the results that I am looking for
 
makita rotory polisher, which answers the question
Sounds about right to me, but I'm new w/ the rotary too. What rotary do you have? I'm using the harbor freight one and it works very well, and only cost 40 bucks!
Click to expand...
 
I prefer to use a 8.5" or 9" pad. The larger the pad, the quicker you can remove defects in the paint. Eliminating pad hop will come with more experience. I always recommend to someone just learning the rotary to start out with a smaller pad and then work up to a larger size. I do on occasion use a 6.5" pad when I am using the PC and need a little more aggressive approach and don't feel like getting another pad dirty ...I get lazy sometimes.
 
I've got all of them.
4 inch, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8 and 8.5
LC, edge, sonus and an aussie one
 
I normally like the smaller pads too because I feel like it gives me more control (probably a mind thing, but that's how I feel). The only departure is when I use a wool pad on the larger backing plate.

I guess it's a personal preference.

Toto
 
I normally use a big pad, the 7" I guess, though I have a couple bigger ones and my wool ones are quite large.

For training, I use a 4" pad to teach the guys.
 
hahahaha harbor freight makes like a two setting rotory.....i would use it as a sander not a polisher
shake head shake head :)
 
BLACKWRX said:
hahahaha harbor freight makes like a two setting rotory.....i would use it as a sander not a polisher
shake head shake head :)
Click to expand...
While it is true that they do (or did) have a two speed rotary they also have at least two variable speed models. One is 300 - 3000 RPM and the other one is 1000 - 3000 RPM:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

The first one is often on sale for as little as $20. While not in the same league as the "big names", for someone who seldom uses a rotary these will get the job done.

Using a rotary isn't exactly rocket science, all they do is spin a pad. If you have some common sense, read up on how to use them(a rotary), and then practice you can get good very results with a HF rotary. Mine served me very well for the few times that I usually have to drag one (a rotary) out, but I did finally buy a Metabo for the power, size, and weight factor.

John
 
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