Quick question about the Cyclo polisher

But you really won't miss the adjustable speed! It varies (with load) from 2,800 to 3,200 orbits/minute and that range works out VERY well. It behaves differently from the PC, so you shouldn't read too much into the speed. Boy-oh-boy, three posts about Cyclos in one day :bounce
 
Yeah, I think the price is a big part of it. Plus, the Cyclo LOOKS less user-friendly to a lot of people, even though it's quite the opposite (IMO, of course). Another factor is/should be that while you CAN get by with only the PC, it's harder to get by with JUST the Cyclo due to the "reaching tight spots" issue. That was why I finally bought a PC after happily using the Cyclo for years. Also, the variable speed issue is a big deal (bigger than it should be? maybe..) to some people and there's a MUCH better selection of pads for the PC. The "regular" green Cyclo polishing pad is more aggressive than the "regular" polishing pads for the PC and the Cyclo's (white) finishing pad is more aggressive than some of the PC finishing pads (now) available.



BTW, a word of warning on the Cyclo pads: the polishing and ESPECIALLY the finishing pads are ALWAYS contaminated with little specs of nylon from the velcro backing. Although both Terry at CMA and Irene at TOL told me not to worry about them, *I* always pick them off before using the pads and/or use new pads on a less-important vehicle first. Can't say that I've ever had a problem, but it IS something to be aware of.



What I'd REALLY like to do is have someone take a Cyclo to some get-together like the upcoming one in St. Louis so that a number of people could directly compare the two machines. Personal preference is just SO "iffy" and subjective that I keep thinking that MAYBE the Cyclo is still just for people who a) already have one available or b) have the $ to spend and already have a PC. The last thing I want to do is get someone to over-extend money-wise and then hate the thing and wish they'd gone with the tried-and-true PC instead.
 
I want to try the Cyclo because I have the big concave pads because the pads that just fit the backing plate detailing such a small area and even with the PC cranked at 6 all the time I feel myself going over the same area over and over. I need a random orbital that is almost as strong as a rotary but isn't as risky at the PC.



I shouldn't be spending all day polishing, it's killing me. There is no time left for the smaller things when I'm out there all day with the PC.
 
Accumulator,



Excellent, well rounded post you put up there:xyxthumbs



Joed,



I have 2 Cyclos and a PC and I almost always use the Cyclo over the PC, cept for those small tight areas, like Accumulator noted. The Cyclo though is just a hair or two more aggressive than the PC but no where near the power and speed of a rotary.



As for pad choice, again Accumulator is correct in that the PC has a better pick of pad choice. They need to design some fine foam finishing pads for the Cyclo. As it stands now I use the "green" Cyclo pads more than I do the white polsihing and the yellow cutting pads.



The Cyclo can also take more pressure than the PC before it begins to bog down.



Anthony
 
Anthony Orosco said:
..I have 2 Cyclos and a PC and I almost always use the Cyclo over the PC, cept for those small tight areas...

Anthony
Click to expand...



Anthony- Glad to see you joining this thread. I often feel like a lone voice in the wilderness when it comes to the Cyclo. Yes, I certainly wish they'd come up with a better selection of (milder) pads.



Do *YOU* have any issues/comments about the velcro slubs on the white pads? They really do drive me nuts, picking at them with tweezers under a magnifying lamp! Or using them on someone else's car until the slubs fling off...



NOTE TO OTHERS: this is *NOT* an issue with the cutting and polishing pads!! Don't let it scare you away from the Cyclo!



Oh, and I've found that the Cyclo works better than the PC when equipped with (TOL's) suede-style MF bonnets. Its more aggressive action seems better suited to MF bonnet usage. Less by-hand follow up needed.
 
Accumulator,



Yeah those little black fibers can be a real pain so I have chosen to stop buying the white pads and instead buy now only the green pads. I also own several of the suede bonnets and like how they work also.



If you like the black Lake Country finishing pads then you can do as I do which is take two of those pads, I usually use ones that I have used a few times with my rotary, use a Cyclo pad as a template and mark out the circumference of the pad on the black finishing pad and carefully cut it out. You now have two "custom" finishing pads for your Cyclo:up



Adios,

Anthony
 
Anthony- Yeah, I thought about cutting some finishing pads to size, but I like having the safety margin of the velcro being smaller than the diameter of the pad. I suppose I could do something there, too, might have to give it a try.



FWIW, I've often wondered if the green pads might be soft enough to use as "finishing" pads anyhow, at least on cars with fairly hard paint. But when polishing the S8 with 1Z's Metallic Polish, I DID give it a quick, additional once-over with the PC and a soft(er) pad and it just might've added a little "pop" over what the Cyclo green had left :nixweiss



I sometimes wonder if we don't assign an inordinate degree of aggressiveness to the PADS when it's actually the PRODUCT (and/or the way it behaves with different pads) that is the real variable of interest. Oughta do a little experimenting with those green pads and something basically non-abrasive like Meg's #3/#7, but not until something needs polished again anyhow ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top