cyclo

I

imported_proshine

New member
anyone here use the cyclo as their preffered polisher or dor you prefer a rotary?

I have both, I use the rotary for the heavy stuff and cyclo for the waxing. (just your thoughts)
 
The Cyclo is a great polisher. I use it for finishes that have light defects, or to follow up after the rotary. I also use it to shampoo mats and carpets before extracting.
 
There's a quite a bit of information here on the Cyclo. Those who have them pretty much love them.
 
Yeah, I love my Cyclos. When you need a rotary, well, you need a rotary. But I use the Cyclos instead of the PCs unless I have a very good reason to use the latter instead. And yeah, the carpet brushes work very well.



Nothing like using the Cyclos for something like #16. On with one, off with the other, using suede-style MF bonnets :xyxthumbs
 
Yep, I have one and love it. Think of it as the PC with 4 inch pads. You know, the 4 inch pads that cut so well on the PC only it's much, much smoother and quieter.:D
 
3Dog- I've seen a few older ones and they looked cool- a bit more "machine age"-like than my modern vintage ones. Never saw a blue one though. What happened to it (you said "my first one" so I assume you have a different one now)?
 
Not here, I don't care for mine. To me, it's like the worst of both worlds; not as powerful as a rotary, not as light and maneuverable and versatile as a PC.





Tom
 
Accumulator said:
3Dog- I've seen a few older ones and they looked cool- a bit more "machine age"-like than my modern vintage ones. Never saw a blue one though. What happened to it (you said "my first one" so I assume you have a different one now)?
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Good question..I would assume it ended up in a pawn shop somewhere..stolen along with various other items (years ago)... this was also before velco and foam pads....the pad was made to the cup and had to be folder over and the folded back onto buffer wheel.

Tidy Car was one of the first to push sealants back then. It went over well enough that Ziebart bought them.
 
3Dog said:
...this was also before velco and foam pads....the pad was made to the cup and had to be folder over and the folded back onto buffer wheel..
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Yeah, I still have a few of those around. They sure were a hassle, wrestling with them every pad change.



Mosca- You gonna sell the Cyclo and recoup some of the cost or you plan to keep it around? If you haven't tried the carpet brushes yet, they might help you get some utility out of the thing.
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, I still have a few of those around. They sure were a hassle, wrestling with them every pad change.



Mosca- You gonna sell the Cyclo and recoup some of the cost or you plan to keep it around? If you haven't tried the carpet brushes yet, they might help you get some utility out of the thing.
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I've been thinking of putting it on ebay. It's been used maybe 3 or 4 times. I simply haven't found a job that I don't prefer doing with either the PC or the rotary. I'll maybe give it one more chance. If I decide against keeping it, wouldyou like me to PM you with first shot at it?







Tom
 
Mosca- If you're not getting your money's worth of use out of it I sure understand getting rid of it. It's a bit of $ to have just sitting in the box while you use your other tools. Just no getting around personal preference when it comes to things like the Cyclo/PC decision.



Thanks for the offer of first crack at it, but I think I'll pass as I already have two of 'em. If anything, I'd like to find an older one with the more machine-age styling :D



Besides the carpet brushes, another thing were I think it really shines (pardon the pun) is LSP buffing with suede-style MF bonnets (over cutting pads). Don't know if it would be worth it to you, getting more Cyclo stuff to try this, but it's one of those things I just love using that machine for. But that's still a lot of money tied up in something for just things like that.



I sometimes think that Autopia oughta have a tool rental setup, where people could try out things like the Cyclo, or maybe use a rotary for rare big jobs, without having to buy one. I suppose it would be too problematic but the idea keeps occurring to me. No way would there be any wear/tear consideration with the Cyclo, and that's one machine where personal preference is just *such* a factor. I'd pitch in a few bucks for an "Autopia Cyclo" (and it'd pay itself off after enough rentals), but I dunno if anybody else would want to contribute towards getting one or how we'd manage the whole idea.
 
Accumulator;..what do you mean by "more of a machine age"? My blue one was 25 years ago and it was identical to the one I have today ( last one purchased two years ago).

The only diffference I see is the velco cups.
 
3Dog said:
Accumulator;..what do you mean by "more of a machine age"? My blue one was 25 years ago and it was identical to the one I have today ( last one purchased two years ago).

The only diffference I see is the velco cups.
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My older one is also from the early-mid '80s. No blue color but it's identical to my newer one and probably identical to yours too. The velcro cups just fit over the same old heads that we used to wrestle the old-style pads over. Only visible difference I've seen in recent years is the switch to the black sheath over the handle (as opposed to the clear ones).



AFAIK, they haven't really changed the basic Model 5 (housing, etc.) at all over the years but I've seen some pics of older Cyclos (as in, from the '50s or so) that had metal top handles (instead of plastic) and cool looking engraved metal ID plates (instead of the stickers). Also no grounded plug or plastic sheath over the handle. That's what I meant by "more machine age", but I guess the differences are pretty subtle. I would like to find one of the three-headed ones from that earlier era, though. And if the one we're all used to is the Model 5, what are the Models 1-4? Heh heh, if I'm not careful I'll end up collecting the things :o
 
I have all three machines (PC, Cyclo, Rotary), and all three have their own place in my detailing routine. I, personally, wouldn't do without it.
 
Accumulator said:
My older one is also from the early-mid '80s. No blue color but it's identical to my newer one and probably identical to yours too. The velcro cups just fit over the same old heads that we used to wrestle the old-style pads over. Only visible difference I've seen in recent years is the switch to the black sheath over the handle (as opposed to the clear ones).



AFAIK, they haven't really changed the basic Model 5 (housing, etc.) at all over the years but I've seen some pics of older Cyclos (as in, from the '50s or so) that had metal top handles (instead of plastic) and cool looking engraved metal ID plates (instead of the stickers). Also no grounded plug or plastic sheath over the handle. That's what I meant by "more machine age", but I guess the differences are pretty subtle. I would like to find one of the three-headed ones from that earlier era, though. And if the one we're all used to is the Model 5, what are the Models 1-4? Heh heh, if I'm not careful I'll end up collecting the things :o
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You may already know this..cyclo really got its start in the aircraft industry. That being said you may search sites based on that and find links to older models and more history.

www.wingwaxers.com is one that is big on cyclo
 
Anybody own the gold plated aniversary edition? I almost bought it, but decided not to. I think TOL still has some in stock. I think if I did buy it, I would only use it at a car show or something similar.
 
3Dog- Yeah, AFAIK the Cyclo was originally designed for polishing aluminum planes and travel trailers. You're right, some time I oughta do a little searching on aviation sites and see if I can find some info on the older ones.



brwill2005- Heh heh, that gold plated one's a bit flashy for me. Looks-wise, I'd rather have one that looks like it's been in service since the '50s. [Accumulator- proponent the anti-bling aesthetic] But I think it would make a good employee-of-the-year prize for a detailing company.
 
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