My first full rotary job

T

twopu

New member
I thought my PC would be enough to handle this Mercedes, but I was wrong. I spent 15 mins. on a 2x2 section (cutting pad and 83) with ok results. However, at that rate I would never get it done so I decided to use my Makita rotary. I've only used it 2 or 3 time and that was just for spot work. I just couldn't get the hang of it and was regreting ever buying it. After reading many post I decided I would try again moving it slow/steady, constantly moving, lov speeds, and without handle. After finishing the hood (45 mins. later) I felt a little more confident with it. The results were not great, but pretty good. I have a lot to learn, but you I feel much more confident with it.



Process: Wash, clay, 80 (polishing pad), AIO (PC & blue propel pad), and OCW



Oh, the DHL truck arrived after I finished drying the car so I was able to try OCW and the propel pads for the first time.



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This should help. I had a hard time with the baked on break dust. I tried APC 4:1 and A2Z but it did very little. I just scrubbed and scrubbed spending about an hour just on the wheels. What is it with German break dust?



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Thanks!!! The total job took about 8-9 hours. A lot of that was the wheels, wasted time with the PC in correcting the paint, stains on the interior, and being very careful with the rotary. Easy, I wouldn't say easy, but definitely worth doing. I'm sure with more practice I'll become more productive/efficient. Keep in mind the paint was neglected, it was like she used a dirty towel to dry/clean the car.
 
Just doing a whole (black) car with the rotary for the first time without a big "oops!" is cause for congratulations :xyxthumbs Glad to hear it turned out so well. I wouldn't worry too much about the time factor...better to do a good job in whatever time it takes than to make a mistake trying to hurry.
 
Accumulator said:
Just doing a whole (black) car with the rotary for the first time without a big "oops!" is cause for congratulations :xyxthumbs Glad to hear it turned out so well. I wouldn't worry too much about the time factor...better to do a good job in whatever time it takes than to make a mistake trying to hurry.
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I agree with Accumulator. Doing a black car with a rotary and get it looking as you did is something to be commended.



Sometimes I get mad when using a rotary because there always seems to be something that I can do a little more with. When I used the PC I had an excuse to let some things go. Yet, after seeing BlkYukon pics and tutorial on the PC, I cannot use that excuse any more.



I know it is just lighting but the last two pics show that the car appears to have changed colors. I like that kind of change. GOOD JOB!
 
Thanks guys that means a lot!!! I showed my co-workers (mostly women) the pictures and they said "that's shiney" and walked away. DENIED!!! I just wanted someone to appreciate my hours of hard work. Fortunately, the owner loved it and that's all that counts.



I just took all the advice from the boards and took it slow, using the least aggresive product until I found the right combo. I have so much to learn, but through this process I was able to try and get good results with angling the pad, using different speeds and pressure. I had a hard time with the amount of product to use. It seemed like know matter how much or little I used the product almost disappeared after 2 passes. It looked nothing like the Meguiars video, but I kept working it in and the results were ok. I have a problem knowing when to stop working in the product. I guess practice will help. I almost can't wait to get my hands on another car to try again.
 
"Fortunately, the owner loved it and that's all that counts." -At the end of the day, that's what counts! Great job, especially on your first try! I'd still be cleaning up the sling :)



After using the rotary for a few hours, what are you trying to improve or do different?
 
Thanks again!!!



Sling was a problem, but I would just rub it onto the paint and then turn the rotary on at the lowest rpm. That help 95% of the time, but if I put to much QD on the pad a little would sling off. Sometimes I would spread the product out on the pad with my finger. Either way going slow worked for me. Couple things I would like to work on are:



1. Using the rotary in smaller areas

2. When to stop working in the product

3. Getting the product to not cake up on the car

4. Producing a near flawless surface (swirl free); within reason

5. Reducing/eliminating holograms so I don't have to go over it with my PC

6. Feeling more comfortable with it

7. Trying different angle/pressure

8. I guess in a nut shell, everything because practice will only make me better
 
Great job!! German paint is very hard to work with without a rotary. Also, I find Megs Wheel Brightener eats german brake dust for breakfast.
 
cwcad- thanks for the link; it was very informative I have it marked as a favorite



Mikeyc- Thanks, I'll have to try Megs Wheel Brightener. The worst part of this detail was the wheels. The wheels laughed at the 4:1 Meg APC and A2Z.
 
[quote name='twopu']Thanks again!!!



Sling was a problem, but I would just rub it onto the paint and then turn the rotary on at the lowest rpm. That help 95% of the time, but if I put to much QD on the pad a little would sling off. Sometimes I would spread the product out on the pad with my finger. Either way going slow worked for me. Couple things I would like to work on are:



Here are a few tips that might help you out.



1. Using the rotary in smaller areas-Dial down the speed and take your time.



3. Getting the product to not cake up on the car

Clean your pads, and clean them often. This will help out. Do you have a brush to spur your pads? If not, clean them out and spin dry them. If this doesn't cut it down, you're using too much product.



5. Reducing/eliminating holograms so I don't have to go over it with my PC

Keep your pad flat, and keep them clean. Your final polish step should be done with your least aggressive pad (i.e. a finish pad). This should greatly reduce (or eliminate holograms), and will produce the flawless finish that you're after. The key here is to try out a few brands of polish, and stick with the one that works best for you. I've had success with Menzerna and Optimum, others prefer Meguires, etc..... I would try out a few brands to zero in on something that works for you.





7. Trying different angle/pressure

A big no no on a rotary! Let the weight of the machine, the chemical, and the pad do the work. You're just there to keep it moving.



You don't want to run on an angle for a few reasons. 1 -the pad edges will build heat quick, and you'll risk burning the paint. Rule of thumb -keep the pad flat at all times during while you are working in a product. 2 - you want to keep polish from the pad edges, to prevent sling. If you smear polish around with your pad, then start to polish, you'll get sling because you are getting polish on the pad edge. This isn't an issue on a DA, but it is on a rotary. The only time I run the rotary on an angle is to 'pick up' a bead of polish when starting out.
 
Mgm- Thanks for the tips. I will definitely use them on my next job.



What kind of brush do you use to clean your pads?



Trying the different polishes sounds great, the problem is they don't make trials sizes. I would hate to shell out $15-$40 on something and not like it. I really want to try to Menzerna polishes, but $40 is a bit steep for something that I don't know if I like.



Thanks again for the tips!!!
 
twopu said:
Mgm- Thanks for the tips. I will definitely use them on my next job.



What kind of brush do you use to clean your pads?



Trying the different polishes sounds great, the problem is they don't make trials sizes. I would hate to shell out $15-$40 on something and not like it. I really want to try to Menzerna polishes, but $40 is a bit steep for something that I don't know if I like.



Thanks again for the tips!!!
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i have the brush that they sell at Autogeek. You can also use a tooth brush. Run at the lowest setting, and gently run the brush up and down the pad and it will flake off the product.



Menzerna and Optimum work the best for me via rotary.
 
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