Cyclo versus PC versus Rotary

foris2- I'm glad the Cyclo worked out so well for you. I always feel a little nervous recommending that people spend that kind of money on a polisher.



General Lee- I'm always kinda stumped by questions like yours...I dunno, but I think you can do some jobs a lot faster with the Cyclo than with the PC. It's just sorta hard for me to compare the two...sorta like comparing regular wrenches with a ratchet/socket combo...very similar but different, and each has it's place. Gee, I'm a lot of help, huh :o



MS22- No argument from me on your take, that's for sure. People have to consider their needs and what will fill them, and also consider the cost. For a lot of people, the rotary/PC combo would make more sense for the money.



I got my first Cyclo before people were (commonly) using tools like the PC for automotive polishing. I quickly became comfortable/familiar with it and found it a lot more user-friendly than the Milwaukee rotary I'd used at my summer job. When I finally caved (to everything I read) and got the PC, I was *seriously* disappointed. Too much bogging, less than ergonomic (for this application), and too many repairs. But again, I was used to the Cyclo.



Funny that people don't like the green pads, I hear this fairly often. I probably use the green pads for 90% of my non-LSP work. Even use them with the rotary and the PC. But again, I have 20 years of experience/familiarity with them.
 
Unfortunatley for me Intermezzo had sold the Cyclo, having read each of your views, and finding myself being asked to detail more and more cars, I think I may shell out and buy a Cyclo. A rotary is a little bit scarey to me right now, and with someone like Ron suggesting that he uses one on his 'high end' cars instead of the rotary I guess that this tool (Cyclo) is the tool for the job.



Or maybe I should get a makita rotary ?!
 
Axe- Well, I can only say that my Makita hasn't been out of the box for months but my Cyclo gets used all the time ;) Sorta like the way I don't get out the chainsaw as often as I reach for a hand saw.



Maybe check the usual online source ;) for a used one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one that was a bit battered up, and rebuilds are quick and cheap. Might save a lot of money buying an old one and having it worked on. But FWIW, I bought both of mine new. I *would* like to pick up one of the vintage ones with the aluminum top handle though, just because I like using vintage tools.
 
Axe said:
Unfortunatley for me Intermezzo had sold the Cyclo, having read each of your views, and finding myself being asked to detail more and more cars, I think I may shell out and buy a Cyclo. A rotary is a little bit scarey to me right now, and with someone like Ron suggesting that he uses one on his 'high end' cars instead of the rotary I guess that this tool (Cyclo) is the tool for the job.



Or maybe I should get a makita rotary ?!
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Once you get the hang of the rotary there is nothing scary about it. Most body shops have alot of spare panels just laying around waiting to be thrown out, they'll galdly give you some to practice on. The learning curve is a bit more gradual but once you become proficient enough to use it with confidance you'll use it all of the time. BTW any damage you do on "high end" cars (hologramming, etc.) can be removed with the PC; so as long as you just rely on technique and not get too over excited when working on expensive cars you'll be fine. IMO you skip the Cyclo and make the jump!
 
Accumulator said:


General Lee- I'm always kinda stumped by questions like yours...I dunno, but I think you can do some jobs a lot faster with the Cyclo than with the PC. It's just sorta hard for me to compare the two...sorta like comparing regular wrenches with a ratchet/socket combo...very similar but different, and each has it's place. Gee, I'm a lot of help, huh :o
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LOL, I realize alot depends on the severity of the defects you are trying to correct. I understand what you are saying though. I'm just curious which one would have more bite if you would use the same type of pad with the same product on both machines.
 
General Lee said:
... I'm just curious which one would have more bite if you would use the same type of pad with the same product on both machines.
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OK, when you put it *that* way I think I can give you a straight answer :D The Cyclo will do more work and faster than the PC. Not "rotary-more", but more. And it's a lot more user-friendly vibration-wise, at least IMO, so just *doing* the work isn't as much of a chore.
 
I used the Cyclo for the first time today. I was very impressed with the machine. I started with a rotary on the 85 Crown Vic in my post tonight on one side of the hood. And then I did the other side with the Cyclo and the Cyclo side was just as cleaned up, and with a better finish. It was single stage paint so that may have had something to do with it. But I was impressed at the work that the cycle was able to do, and I only used the polishing pads, no cutting pads.



Here is the link to my post if interested!
 
04Cobra, so you sound impressed with the Cyclo, and that along with your rotary experience says a lot about the Cyclo's benefits. Based on everyone's mostly positive feedback I think I will buy one, now I just need some sites that will ship to the UK, and include the pads that I need. Any good suggestions for sites that will ship internationally and that sell the pads, and which pads to purchase ? Many thanks.
 
Axe- I dunno which places will ship to you, but I do know that they make the Cyclo in different voltages so there must be *some* way to get them across the pond. Check Winner's Circle Detailing (see links on Autopia home page), TOL , or even the maker Cyclo Toolmakers .



For pads, I almost always just use the green (regular polishing) pads or the white (finishing) pads. But plenty of people are experimenting with 4" pads from other makers, and the orange ones seem to be popular for light cutting. The yellow Cyclo cutting pads seem to wear sorta quickly, losing their "bite" after a while, but they don't become useless or anything like that. The brush attachments for carpets work quite well. Using MF bonnets over the foam pads can work well too.



04Cobra- Thanks for linking to the other post. Looks like you're off to a great start with the Cyclo.
 
Axe said:
04Cobra, so you sound impressed with the Cyclo, and that along with your rotary experience says a lot about the Cyclo's benefits. Based on everyone's mostly positive feedback I think I will buy one, now I just need some sites that will ship to the UK, and include the pads that I need. Any good suggestions for sites that will ship internationally and that sell the pads, and which pads to purchase ? Many thanks.
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Hey Axe, if you can get a hold of a Cyclo, do it. I got mine for X-mas thinking I would never use it, but I'm glad I did. The first time I practiced with it awhile back I did one section on my Dad's car. At first I wasn't happy with it cuz' if I remember right I couldn't see the surface I was working on around the Cyclo. But now that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. One thing that i notice about the Cyclo is the orbital action of it is magnified Vs. the PC. When you use the PC you can see it doing it's orbital thing a little, but with the Cyclo it looks like you have the Tea Cup ride at Disney Land hooked to the handle. The pads seems to have a lot more action going on, thus better, faster results. I love the idea that everytime I go over a section it's like going over it twice as much. If these new pads that Anthony O is talking about really work "close" to a rotary, that would be awesome. A lot of people talk about the balance of the Cyclo, and that is very true. The hardest thing for me was getting over the look of it, it looks kind of funny to me!:nixweiss But if gives me the results that I desire, so I can get over it. By the way, I got mine at RIGHTLOOK.COM. They deliver overseas, they have great service as well!



HEY AXE, CHECK THIS OUT!



Accumulator This will be my new go to machine, the PC will take a seat for now! The one advantage I can see of the PC over the Cyclo is, maybe LSP with a finishing pad. I just think it would be easier to apply in thin layers!
 
Accumulator said:
Axe- I dunno which places will ship to you, but I do know that they make the Cyclo in different voltages so there must be *some* way to get them across the pond.
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I should be able to do the same as I did for the PC shouldn't I? I have a 110V converter, and just chop the plug on the Cyclo?



Thanks for the link and info 04Cobra, yes I had seen that site, and may well use them, or TOTL
 
Axe.



Top Of The Line and Winners Circle have packages for people buying a Cyclo. Like the Tool with the velcro boots and an assortment of pads.



If you have an air compressor Cyclo makes an air driven tool.
 
Thanks Mark, however there doesn't seem to be an option to purchase, and I cannot understand the web site :o



Also I notice that the website has a FLEX rotary, which I believe is the one badged as a PC rotary sold in the states ... that is supposed to be a very good tool also.
 
Axe- You could either use the power converter or get the Euro model (check the Cyclotoolmakers website for info/model # ).



04Cobra- that was a great explanation of the Cyclo, I really like the "Tea Cup ride at Disney Land hooked to the handle" bit :D



I always use the Cyclo for applying paste waxes (except for Souveran). Its aggressiveness seems to really keep them "liquid" and help to spread them out evenly and thinly. I just *love* using it with #16, more fun than work IMO.
 
If you are going to pay shipping across the pond I would order some extra pads now and save on shipping later. That Kit has pretty much everything you need. I find that I use the polishing pads the most.
 
I've burned out the motors on a few PC's. They are ok, but IMO the cyclo is MUCH better and worth the cost.
 
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