Need Help. Cyclo vs. Dewalt vs. PC... Which one do you recommend?

H

HenrikP

New member
im new with the buffing part of detailing and want to buy a buffer but im not sure if the orbitals are strong enough to do aggressive cleaning while needed and if teh dewalt would be gentle enough to to the finishing touch. thx in advance
 
each tool has its place in your detailing arsenal, which I know you didnt want to hear.



However, If I were to choose one for you to start out with it would be the PC
 
Henrik welcome to the forum.



I think I will second FiveStars recommendation to you. If I were to start, I would go with the PC. I just did a posting that somewhat answers your questions



http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73188



I would eventually pick up a rotary if I were you, but you would be suprised at what a PC can do with the right combo of pads and chemicals. Here is a link to a Lexus I detailed and for 99% of the detail I used a PC if that is of any assistance to you.





THe Black Lexus







Good Luck
 
Henrik, I use a PC and Makita RO with forced rotation. From my perspective, and from what I've read, if I was to do it all again I'd get a Cyclo instead of a PC. Its as easy as a PC to use (some say easier) and can do better correction than a PC. Sort of half way to a rotary with the safety of a PC. Just my Tuppence worth.
 
Which Dewalt is under consideration, their rotary or their PC-like RO sander? I sure wouldn't buy a rotary without also having a RO and I wouldn't buy one as my first polisher either. I learned to use a rotary first (way back in the day) and it's not an approach I'd recommend.



I prefer the Cyclo myself, but note that it doesn't work well with some products (e.g., Klasse AIO) and it won't do certain weird panel contours (e.g., some areas on my XJS that the PC *does* do).



FWIW, I simply find the Cyclo to be a pleasant tool to use, whereas I don't like using the PC. It's partially subjective/personal preference but there *is* a lot less vibration with the Cyclo.
 
i began detailing at a detail shop just about a year ago and ive been just doing the basics like washing and waxing since i was 10 (16 now). now i want something new to experiement with and grab a bent up hood from work and start buffing them and eventually bring these skills to my workplace where we use both the makitas and dewalt rotarys. but im also curious if i could do fine with just a rotary for cleaning the paint or would it be recommended to have posibly a combination of a rotary and orbital: rotary for more aggressive cleaning and the orbital for the finishing touch with glaze/polish.
 
HenrikP said:
im also curious if i could do fine with just a rotary for cleaning the paint or would it be recommended to have posibly a combination of a rotary and orbital: rotary for more aggressive cleaning and the orbital for the finishing touch with glaze/polish.
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No way would I have *only* a rotary on hand. I like the "rotary for aggressive work, then switch to RO" approach myself. Though I don't find the rotary necessary all *that* often, just depends what you're dealing with.
 
Accumulator said:
No way would I have *only* a rotary on hand. I like the "rotary for aggressive work, then switch to RO" approach myself. Though I don't find the rotary necessary all *that* often, just depends what you're dealing with.
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:waxing:



I agree with Accumulator. I think you need at a minimum two tools. One being the rotary for the serious defect work. Luckily my side job, detailing, has made enough cash to buy all three of the tools, PC-CYCLO-RB so I have an understanding of each. I am partially still biased towards my PC, but probabbly only cuz I am learning how to properly use the Cyclo. The Cyclo is an awesome polisher though with the "sometimes" hard to work Meguiars polishes.



Your idea for getting a old beater hood from a junk yard is great. Better to ruin scrap metal than a customers hood. After all, we have all seen the "wonderful" work done by other detailers with a RB. Just look at 80% of the black cars on a sunny day!!
 
The PC is the easiest to learn to use quickly but the Cyclo isn't that hard, just a bit awkward on some cars like Accumulator said. If you are going to detail professionally, I'd start with the Cyclo and then get a rotary for use on paint with heavy defects.
 
Regarding the learning curve, I've had people from teens to the elderly up to speed with a Cyclo in a matter of minutes (and not too many minutes at that ;) ). There's no need to worry about it being hard to master IMO.
 
so would you guys recommend buying a cyclo over all other orbitals to start off and once ive mastered that get a rotary. which rotary should i go for then the makita or dewalt?
 
DeWalt variable speed buffer all the way...BUT!!! You still need a decent OP.



I am kinda anal...I compound with a DeWalt VB...glaze with DeWalt with a superfine foam pad...then OP with Eagle One wax.
 
If I can add my 2 cents. I have the Hitachi rotary buffer. I believe it is the sp18vs. I got it from CoastalTool.com and spent about $115-120 after shipping etc. I really like it. Quiet and plenty of power.



For the Cyclo, I think the best deal right now is through Autogeek. I just bought mine and I believe I paid about $215 plus shipping
 
I have a B&D(Dewalt 849) and a Hitachi. If someone were selling me either one new again, I'd buy the Hitachi even if it were to cost more. It's lighter, quieter, longer warranty and less expensive.
 
i'm in a similar situation as the orig. poster.



I want to buy a machine, and am somewhat torn between a Cyclo and a PC. I used to work in a shop where i used a cyclo, and really liked it. I've used a rotary before, never was any good at it, and prefer to not use one again unless its an absolute necessity.



i know the cyclo costs at least 2x the cost of the PC, but it seems as if they tend to run for very long periods... still finding ones FS that have been around for 30+ years... will the PC have that staying power?



i'd love to hear some more input on the pros and cons on the cyclo and pc
 
bshertzer said:
i know the cyclo costs at least 2x the cost of the PC, but it seems as if they tend to run for very long periods... still finding ones FS that have been around for 30+ years... will the PC have that staying power?
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Not in my experience. My PCs have lived very pampered lives compared to my older, early-'80s, Cyclo (think commercial use, irresponsible employees, you can imagine...) yet the Cyclo didn't need rebuilding when I finally sent it in for service and one of my much newer PCs has already needed rebuilt (and the other is sounding kinda funny). The build-quality is worlds apart IMO, just no comparison between the two machines.



i'd love to hear some more input on the pros and cons on the cyclo and pc
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There are a few threads where we really talked this to death. Don't take this as a blow-off, but it really is worth the dreaded search.



Note that a lot of it is just personal preference. I prefer the Cyclo, hands-down. I *like* using it, which is more than I can say for any other polisher. After a few hours use, the Cyclo is still pleasant to use. Some people find the PC downright painful and have reported that it makes their hands go numb, etc. I don't have those kinds of problems with it, but I still don't like using it the way I do the Cyclo.



IMO if you've used a Cyclo and know you like it, and you're not bound and determined to use one of the few products (e.g. AIO) that don't work well with it, and you don't have weird panel contours to deal with, then get the Cyclo.
 
HenrikP said:
so would you guys recommend buying a cyclo over all other orbitals to start off and once ive mastered that get a rotary. which rotary should i go for then the makita or dewalt?
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I find the Cyclo to be good practice for a rotary, and I often pretend I'm using a rotary when I use it (keep it moving, don't pause at the end of strokes, etc.) to keep in practice with my rotary techniques. The two machines handle similarly.



You won't go wrong with either of those rotaries, but IMO most people will appreciate getting the lightest one that'll do the job.
 
Scottwax said:
The PC is the easiest to learn to use quickly but the Cyclo isn't that hard, just a bit awkward on some cars like Accumulator said. If you are going to detail professionally, I'd start with the Cyclo and then get a rotary for use on paint with heavy defects.
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So Scott, did you finally break down and get a Cyclo?! :cooleek:
 
Accumulator said:
There are a few threads where we really talked this to death. Don't take this as a blow-off, but it really is worth the dreaded search.
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thats cool... i just saw the post and got over eager... and have spent the past hour "refining" my search criteria, and have come up with a slew of topics to paruse in my free time



IMO if you've used a Cyclo and know you like it, and you're not bound and determined to use one of the few products (e.g. AIO) that don't work well with it, and you don't have weird panel contours to deal with, then get the Cyclo.
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yea, right now it is an idea still in its infancy. i really liked how it worked, and until recently never knew what it was called, to begin looking for one. i'm not married to any one brand or type of anything really. i am however kicking around the idea of getting a little more serious into detailing cars though, and some sort of machine would be at the top of my priority list. i have some local body shop supply houses that carry the full meguiars line, so i'll prob. use that first.



just trying to get a grasp on what i want... machine wise anyways... it looks like it will be a Cyclo to start... and ease into something else as i see the need. :thx
 
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