Rotary Help?

T

twopu

New member
New to the Makita rotary so I need a little help.



1. Do you use the handles or do you guide with the head?



2. What pads? I have LC VC pads, but they just seem to difficult to use. Should I go to a smaller pad like propel and if so what size back plate. Patrick has a 6" backplate but I don't know if that is to big for the 7" pads.



3. What speeds do you use for various conditons; what do the numbers correspond to in rpms?



light scratches/pad?

moderate scratches/pad?

heavy scratches/pad?



4. I keep getting holograms so what am I doing wrong? They come out with the PC, but I would rather do it right to avoid an extra step.



5. Any other tips???



Thanks
 
1. Yes, I use the handle

2. I use the same propel pads that I use with my PC. They are the best pads for beginners IMO

3. I don't usually have to work above 3. If you have a Makita, there is a graph right before your eyes that corelates RPM and number

4. Holograms are a common problem to a newbie. It takes practice, correct pad selection and correct polish selection. I found OP with a green pad at speed 3 leaves an abolsutely flawless finish. Also, there is alot of technique that must be used when using the rotary. I like to add pressure on the first couple of passes and then lighten the pressure to machine wt. and allow the machine to do it's job.

5. Practice panels work very well for some. I never used one b/c I had an old car to work on, so if you have a junk yard or paint shop close, stop by and aske them for a scrap panel.



JJ
 
1. I hardly ever use the handle except when it gets tricky to hold on to when doing the sides.



2. I like flat pads from Lake or Meguiar's. I almost always use 6" pads.



3. Depends on the product, but I generally keep the speed kinda low, like JJ I seldom go over 3 (~1,500 rpms) and I do a fair amount of work at lower speeds than that.



4. You can try different pads and products and try to keep things smooth and flat. But if the holograms aren't bad and come out easily with the PC I dunno if I'd worry that much about them. Note that even Mike Phillips uses a PC after the rotary and he's awfully good/experienced with that Makita of his.



5. Try some different pads and products- see if some combo just *works* for you. Don't fall into the trap of "just a little more". Better to stop early and leave some marring than to take off too much, especially on somebody else's car.
 
What size backplate should I get for 6" and 7" pads?

I have 6" LC but would like to try 7" propel can I get one backplate for both?

Has anyone used Optimum Polish; if so how do you like it with the rotary?

Thanks
 
With a nice final polish such as FPII and a soft finishing pad you can make a "perfect" finish with the rotary with a little practice. I use the weight of the machine, moderate speed and a good eye. You need the good eye to know when the polish has broken down so that you don't stop too soon and that you don't go too long. Since that step in the process is very mild you're not going to destroy a finish learning it. If you have a practice panel you can practice on that as well. *I* wasn't able to get the same flawless results with OCP and a finishing pad on the rotary I might add.



For reference, I use the Meguiar's tan finishing pad W9006 and a Hitachi rotary polisher.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top