??? for you rotary users

grisby

grisby

New member
Ok, been using the PC for quite some time now. As some of you know I got the rotary for Xmas. Used it about 4 times now and my question is this. Is it me or do you really have to work at controlling this thing? I mean it really takes off and by the time I am done doing a car or truck I am physically tired in the arms as compared to a PC. It kinda has a mind of its own when you get it going and I have to really work at controlling the direction and such. Its a 9227, no compolaints on the outcome, just that it seems to be a lot of work!!!

As usual thanks in advance for your replies.
 
Yes you do... I think of it like a floor buffer.. if you don't have a good layer of product and you not watching you self it will get away on you.. but if you know how to tilt it just right (a little bit) then you can make it move with ease.
 
Yep, I am still trying to get the hang of tilting that baby. Thats a good description you gave--like a floor buffer--yep been there done that. I guess I still have a learning curve on it.
thanks
bill g
 
grisby said:
Yep, I am still trying to get the hang of tilting that baby. Thats a good description you gave--like a floor buffer--yep been there done that. I guess I still have a learning curve on it.
thanks
bill g
Click to expand...
The manual says to tilt the rotorary @ 15 degrees.if you try use it in this way let me know what you think,i can't try mine until i order a new BP..
 
joe.p said:
The manual says to tilt the rotorary @ 15 degrees.if you try use it in this way let me know what you think,i can't try mine until i order a new BP..
Click to expand...


Well, I've been trying to tilt it as the manual, but it still gets away from me. I have better luck keeping it flat.
 
It curtainly does take some practice. I have definatly clocked in hundreds of hours on my rotary and its second nature now and I am very comfortable with it. Keep practicing and it will become easier for you.

FWIW what size pads are you using?

Greg
 
Once the product is spread, I'm not much of a tilter.
But I keep the pads VERY clean, don't daydream, and depending on the kind of product, I don't go too dry or get the pad wet.
 
Here are a few things that I try to focus on when working the rotary.....

-Keep the pad flat, and keep the speed low!!!!!
-It's not a PC (DA). You need to keep your body on center, and don't 'steer' with your arms. This is hard to explain, but when you get 'the feel', the rotary will not fatigue you at all.
-Hold the rotary very gently -no pressure is needed. IMO, this is what separates's rotaries apart. The good ones are very well balanced/weighted, and very easy to control.
-DON'T tilt the pad!!! (oh, yea, that's #1)
-Check your work in the sun, and do it often. Black paint will give you an excellent gauge on how well you are doing!
-Until you have some seat time, don't use ANYTHING other than a polish and finish pad (In fact, you'll find that you'll use these pads 90% of the time).
-North/South - East/West (Keep the beast moving, at a controlled pace).

A few more comments...

IMO, if you keep your paint in decent condition, then you'll never need (or RARELY use) a rotary. The pad/chemical technology out today makes the PC a VERY effective tool.
 
what are u calling a low speed?? 1500 rpms? 2000rpms? pending on what polish/compound im using...i mostly within the 1500-2200 prolly. and if i apply a wax/sealant, i'll apply at bout 800-1000 rpms

another note..the better uhave ur pad centered on ur backing plate, the smoother and more easily ur gonna be able to use the rotory. also too, i think as u use the rotory more and more, u'll find urself *leaning* into the paint more aggressively and become more brave with the machine. just keep attention to how warm u have the area ur workin with, if ur gettin heat build up, move to another area and continue and go back later on
 
Well said MGM. that's my way too

I start at 600 and finish at 1200 with most products, 1500 for menzerna
 
patience, quality polish and pad are keys to a successful use of hi speed polisher. I use makita only for paint correction and griot polisher for regular paint polishing that requires no major correction. I typically remove most marrings and light swirls with the griot polisher, MEG soft buff pad and Menzerna IP mixed 50/50 with Optimum polish. When I do correction with Makita i only limit it to bad areas, and then finish up the whole car with Griot polisher. Hi speed polisher is heavy therefore not too good on your back when you use it all day long. You may seem to lose control sometimes when your pad is clogged by polish. Again it's good to use quality polish that will not clog your pad.
 
Greg, I am using 8 inch pads for now. I have 6inch from my PC but didnt put them on yet. As for speeds-I usually use (for the the 4x that I used the rotary) between 1000 and 1800 for the polishes that I have which is Megs and Poorboys products. I been using a LC polishing pad, I don't have anything that I need to use the cutting pad on and I figured its safer to start with a polishing pad.

After I did the initial with the rotary I use my PC for the next step then I finish up with the wax or sealer by hand.

Thanks for all the replies folks, and yep I do notice it in my back but I am getting old/older (50) and it really affects my ciatic nerve but thats another story. I enjoy doing this stuff!!


MGM, yep what you stated is what I am doing except I am steering with my arms, guess I will have to practice some more!!!

artman, yeah when I first used it I did not have the pad exactly center, yep it sure does make a difference!!!
 
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