Rotary Buffer: What Angles do you use?

G

Glozz

New member
I'm thinking about getting a top of the line Rotary buffer. I'm leaning towards a buffer with the ability to buff (variable speed) with slower speeds.



I would like the veterans that use a Rotary buffer to tell me at what angles do they use the buffer at depending on what part of the car, or truck your buffing or removing scratches from.



Any information would be great and very informative!
 
I picked up a buffer the first time in 1955.



I teach buffing at PrepExcellence and it is not a matter of just someone telling you how to buff.



Oh, sure there are some hints, but don't let yourself beleive you are going to learn that way.



Qiuck tips.



One, faster is not better.

Two , know the difference between "cutting" and "polishing".

Three, know the pads for each and the products that are used and why.

Four, read the two part article on our site, under the magazine articles section.

5. Go get a hood off a 98 or newer vehicle from a bodyshop, one they are not going to fix and use it to learn on.

6. Call Tim or I if you have questions, but I will be out of the country until mid Nov.

7. Get a Dewalt, there are others, but that is the one that we have found is the best, and since our shops operate about 24 of them, that should tell you something.

8. There is a couple of basic patterns, but then there are some basic rules as well in buffing.

9. I will be in the office in the morning, have to leave around 12:30, but call if you wish, 800-543-7156 and have a fax number so I can send you somethings out of the PrepExcellence Manual that will help you.



Ketch

:up
 
I had the chance to get a 30 minute buffer lesson from Ron and I highly recommend following his suggestions, especially the point about getting a hood to practice on!



Anyways, If I remember right the buffer is held around 3 degrees or so. Have to keep it pretty darn flat...



Anyone else thinking about taking Ron's class? I'm thinking about it for next spring.



Steve
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by wolfsburg [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I had the chance to get a 30 minute buffer lesson from Ron and I highly recommend following his suggestions, especially the point about getting a hood to practice on!

Anyways, If I remember right the buffer is held around 3 degrees or so. Have to keep it pretty darn flat...

Anyone else thinking about taking Ron's class? I'm thinking about it for next spring.

Steve [/b]</blockquote>
I might do that myself.
 
I just bought a Makita vari-speed rotary buffer. Speed is from 600-3000. The thing that is great about this unit is that it has a dial for the exact speed you wish to use and when the unit starts, it has a clutch that starts out very slow and then steps up the speed to the adjusted max speed.



So there is no chance of this thing getting out of your hands and flying off the surface.



There is a very high end restoration facility in Tacoma, Washington that does nothing but BMW, Jags, Mercedes. One of the senior guys is having me come in on Saturday for lessons on the buffer. Can't beat that with a stick!!!
 
I would love to Klasse my car with a rotary buffer. The last time I did that was when I was 19 on my father's Dodge Ramcharger using a Milwaukee. I had one of the guys at my father's shop show me how to do it. That was the first time I did it and I loved the results using a cheap cleaner wax. My father was :D when he saw the truck after. I was floored when I saw I had burned the paint on the edges of the hood :mad:.
 
Its only 11PM. I still got another good 2 hours out of me before I hit the rack and sleep for the precious 4 and a half hours, then wake up and do it all over again.



As for the white pad with the PC7424, its a polishing pad.





Jason
 
I assumed that everyone had it!



I have some pages out of the PrepExcellence Manual ready to fax to you when you call.



Please, no one, use an high speed rotary unless you are very, very well versed in it's use.



They are not evil, but are not as easy as some may present.



Pads are dependant upon what the supplier decides fits for them, not always the same, matter of fact, until one really understands the whole, complete cutting, polishing, etc processes, don't even consider selecting any pad for any use.



Just a bit of advice, don't use a rotary, no matter the pad or the rotary buffer to apply final protective products.



Rotary buffers are "AGRESSIVE", the are intended for an entirely different process than application of a protective product.



When one sees the "swirls" etc after a couple of washes, a good part of the time, it is due to someone thinking that they can use one to apply waxes, sealants and glazes.



OK, everyone, Friday I am going to be doing some preparation for the trip to the Pacific Rim on Sunday.



I will not return until around Nov 13 or 14th.



It is Friday, I intend on chasing a little white ball around a pasture Friday afternoon, so JazzyJack, call me between 9 and 10 EST in the morning.



Ketch

:up
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by JasonC8301 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Its only 11PM. I still got another good 2 hours out of me before I hit the rack and sleep for the precious 4 and a half hours, then wake up and do it all over again. [/b]</blockquote>You're right. I got the time difference a little mixed up and figured it was around 2 a.m. over there ;)
<em class='bbc'>(I was just kidding, BTW)[/i]
 
i sometimes make my forum rounds at 2AM after a quick power nap.



wolfsburg- I am thinking about taking the PrepExcellence class around Spring break. I do not want to ruin my perfect attendance in school. now way, no how.



Jason
 
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