First experience with rotary (hitachi SP18VA)

1

1andrews

New member
I have been doing a decent amount of sidejobs for the past few months, so I figured it was time to step up the game.





Ended up getting the SP18VA from autogeek $170 (ordered it from toolup.com for 120, but it turns out to be a bait and switch, order cancled and 'we can't honor that price').







Used it for a bit today on a practice hood. All I can say is it blows away the porter cable, I simply can't believe it. I used to fear working with DACP, and now it just melts into the paint like butter. I can't wait for my power gloss to come in tomorrow to see how well that works out.



I also used some meguiars speed gloss after the DACP, and it was great. Seems to melt into the paint so much better than with a Random orbit.





I tried to burn the paint, but it didn't happen. The hood did get hot enough to be able to buckle though (soda can as some people call it). Once it cooled it was back to normal though. Also it seems much harder on the pad, but I suppose that is to be expected.







It honestly looks like it is going to decrease my polishing time by close to half (not kidding). I can't wait to do my first car on sunday, and its a pretty shabby condition black one:D
 
I've only tried to use a rotary on a car twice. The first time it was a single stage older RX-7 and the second time it was an 01 clear coated Audi A4. My expirence was that with the single stage paint I had no problems but with the clear coated paint using DACP I was leaving holograms no matter what I did. I ended up taking the holograms out with the PC and haven't used a rotary since.



Was the hood that you did clear coated? I'd be interested to see how it turns out.
 
I got my Metabo in the mail today and tried it out on my rental (black 2005 Mercedes). I haven't taken it out into the sun yet but it looks great under fluorescents. Much faster than the PC, I can actually see things being removed.
 
Kraig said:
I got my Metabo in the mail today and tried it out on my rental (black 2005 Mercedes). I haven't taken it out into the sun yet but it looks great under fluorescents. Much faster than the PC, I can actually see things being removed.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I'm saying.







This is a clear coated black hood I was practicing on. Set it to about 1500, maybe a little less, with a yellow pad and dhcp. Whiped away years of oxidation and pitting, and the dhcp melted right into the hood...not much need to whipe residue at all, as there wasn't much left. If you have used DHCP with a PC you know it can sometimes be a pain in the butt unless you work it over for a long time. I'm very impressed.







And yes, I TRIED to burn the paint, how else are you going to learn what to avoid? I know I need to be extra careful around curves, where the paint is thinner, so maybe I will get a practice fender and try and burn that....luckily I have one of those as well :D





I wish I had a paint micrometer, just for that added level of security. But I guess I will just be careful instead. I still plan to rely heavily on my porter cable (which I have been using for about 3 years now).
 
The only annoying thing, the backing plate is too big for my lake country pads (they have the lip in the back that just barely won't fit around the 7" plate). I probably would have noticed this and ordered the proper backing plate if I had read more about it, so its my fault. At least they still work for this weekend though, and I will get the new plate in next week (or hopefully the one from my porter cable fits).





I will update my experience on sunday after I do my first full car. Lets all hope nothing bad happens...yipes.
 
The Hitachi seems to be a great rotary I recently got one too

autogeek has the correct backing plate for useing your pc pads
 
Where would one go to find a micrometer? Are they really expensive or not so bad? I want a rotary but would like the added confidence of knowing the thckness of paint I will be working with..



My brother in law runs a bodyshop..would he neccessarily have one?



Looking to get my own as well...links would be helpful.



Thanks..I cant wait to get a rotary and get started.
 
I just got my Hitachi a few minutes ago. Already opened it up, bolted on the handle and screwed on the included backing plate. I had to plug it up to test it out. I can't wait to use it on my sister's car which is a very neglected black '97 Oldsmobile. It's a good practice car, LOL. Inital impressions are very good with this tool. It seems to be very high-quality and the motor runs smoothly. Maybe I can now give my PC a much needed vacation.
 
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