Rotary vs. PC???

C

ca8680

New member
Which one should i choose i am planning on douing lots of cars...... as a mobile service can i make it with a porter cable in the professional world-or do i have to get the professional equipment like a makita, or dewalt??
 
If you are doing Lots of cars, I would recommend a rotary. They do, however, have a learning curve. A PC is slower, but is safer and easier to use.
 
As I always post on threads like this, *IMO* it's not an either/or situation. Most people who use the rotary (not all, but most) find that they need a PC to get a truly hologram-free finish, at least on some vehicles. So yeah, get a rotary, but have a PC/Cyclo too.
 
Accumulator said:
As I always post on threads like this, *IMO* it's not an either/or situation. Most people who use the rotary (not all, but most) find that they need a PC to get a truly hologram-free finish, at least on some vehicles. So yeah, get a rotary, but have a PC/Cyclo too.
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I do not have substantial funds for both.....its either one or the other......



i think im going with the hitachi......what kind of pads do i need? to set me in the right track to douing lots of cars....i have a 400 dollar budget on hitachi and vac & blow vacuum and pads



all i need is the pads i dont know what i would need for the hitachi....what size?
 
Rotaries use a standardized backing plate system and the plates and pads come in a number of sizes, from 4" to ~8.5". I myself usually prefer 6.5" pads but it's just a personal preference.



At the risk of sounding insulting, the idea of a person with limited experience using a rotary (exclusively) on vehicles in a professional/high-volume situation gives me pause. The requisite skill can seldom be developed all that quickly or easily. Consider what you'd do if/when you get holograms on a finish...can't very well deliver a car that way and fixing them by hand would be an awful chore. And it takes a bit of experience to know what you can/can't get away with using the rotary (I bet you don't want to get sued or have to repaint anybody's car ;) ). Again, sorry if that sounded presumptuous or too critical, I don't know you or your skill level. But it takes a mighty *high* skill level to do what you're contemplating.
 
Accumulator said:
Rotaries use a standardized backing plate system and the plates and pads come in a number of sizes, from 4" to ~8.5". I myself usually prefer 6.5" pads but it's just a personal preference.



At the risk of sounding insulting, the idea of a person with limited experience using a rotary (exclusively) on vehicles in a professional/high-volume situation gives me pause. The requisite skill can seldom be developed all that quickly or easily. Consider what you'd do if/when you get holograms on a finish...can't very well deliver a car that way and fixing them by hand would be an awful chore. And it takes a bit of experience to know what you can/can't get away with using the rotary (I bet you don't want to get sued or have to repaint anybody's car ;) ). Again, sorry if that sounded presumptuous or too critical, I don't know you or your skill level. But it takes a mighty *high* skill level to do what you're contemplating.
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oh i am planning on douing professional work in some time after.....not just buy the machine and start practicing with customers cars.....i just needed to know what would be best for me.....a rotary or a PC so i can learn and later take it to the professional level......



So im still confused do you think i should get the buffer or the PC?to later take to professional work..........



also i can get any size and they wil fit the hitachi?
 
I agree with Accumulator and think you should start off with the PC, simply don't offer complete paint correction services to cars with bad swirling/scratches until you've got more experience and funds to get more equipment. You can still do a great detail using a pc with proper chemicals/pads. You'll probably be able to get out 80-90% of swirls for a dramatic improvement.
 
Or get a Cyclo. Note that ScottWax is a highly respected (and quite successful) pro who uses the Cyclo and a PC, no rotary.



But yeah, you can use any size pads on the Hitachi, just have to get the correspondingly-sized backing plate.
 
yeah....for 400 bucks get the following...



hitachi - 140 shipped from ebay

PC - 90 - from lowes

portable vacuum from home depot - rigid? craftsman? - 90

pads from lake country/exceldetail - 50

a couple backing plates - 40 in case one tears apart on you mid detail (happened to me - megs backing plate for PC - doesnt like speed 6, then again none of their stuff does)



puts you at 410 plus tax
 
go with a pc, you dont want any potential future clientel witnessing you polish via rotary with limited experience. very bad for business. pc is very easy to use, all you need are a few pads good polish and patience.
 
As quoted from Mike Phillips from Meguiar's:

"The direct drive rotating action of the rotary buffer offers both a cleaning action, (defect removal), and a polishing action that cannot be equaled or duplicated by an oscillating type polisher".



I think he speaks the truth.
 
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