Rotary Question

groebuck

groebuck

New member
So I am starting to use my Rotary more and more over my PC - and I have been reading that you should never go above 1500 rpm, but also read that the rated rpm on rotaries is with no weight, pad etc - so that if you set it to 1500 RPM with pad and pressure etc its rpm can be cut as much as 50% ???

soooo what the hell do you do?
 
On nice flat surfaces, away from curves and emblems (read: hoods, roof, trunk and some side panels) I run 3000 on my variable speed rotary. On tricky areas I run between 1500 ans 2200 to be safe, it just take a little more time and care.

-Matt
 
Sagamore Hills. Got a complete set of tools including an extractor if ya need :) Just spent weekend detailing the bimmer. Lot of sweat involved since I had to level the paint out a little with the rotary.
-Matt
 
Just run the dial on your rotary at 1500. What machine do you have? I wouldnt ever reccomend running over 1750 rpm, but realistically no more than 1500. I run at 1750 once in a while on severly neglected vehicles. If you are starting out you might want to just try 1200. Good luck!

Greg
 
Greg,

You are correct. The one thing I did not mention is that I primarily use light cut or polishing heads with moderate compound. Certainly in inexperienced hands you need to keep the speed down. Speed causes heat, which can really hurt the paint. Move around the surface, don't linger, don't go up on the edge of the pad and a low speeds you will have no problems.

-Matt
 
I don't go above 1800 unless I have to. For cutting and medium polishing I stick around 1500 rpms, fine polishing and swirl removal I run it around 1200, my Presta Swirl Remover kicks ass at 1200 rpm's
 
chicago electric - rotary - been practicing with that till I invest in a makita, Metabo or Dewalt.

Okay - but if the actual RPM is 50% less (say I set it to 1500 - and with pad, pressure and product it's really only 750) I am not going to get the corrective action and or heat right?

Matt did both my cars to day - I have a ton of PB stuff, UPP, Duragloss, VM, CMW - man just a ton of product...

got a pc and the ce rotary mentioned above - I will have to look up where you are at and maybe we can meet one weekend!
 
Seldom ever above 1800, though I may go to 2200 on the hood.
When I first started: 3000 rpm all the way.
 
1700-ish for compounding

1500 for polishing

1200 for finishing


No weight other than the mass of the machine, overlapping SLOW (3 seconds per foot) passes, work til translucent, keep the pad as flat as possible.


Once you find good products, it becomes like the back of your hand.
 
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