I have yet to have this question answered directly...

G

golfdude

New member
Assuming I am an expert with a rotary, which I don't even have (but let's assume it here), how would I save time correcting paint problems such as swirls and super-fine sratching in comparison with using a PC? Last time I detailed my buddy's Civic, it took us about 5-6 hours for a 3-step polish (compound, polish, and finishing polish) with the PC on a speed of 5-6 on every panel. This just seems to take too long. Why would the rotary save time??



The real question that I'm aching to know is: Does it take less time to actually polish a panel? For example, if with the PC it takes 8 passes until the polish is ready to remove, would it take 3-4 passes with a rotary to have the polish ready to remove (assuming you are using the same pad and polish at the time).



The "rotary usage" thread doesn't seem to help.



Also, reading the "rotary usage" thread, people mention that with a rotary you can completely remove polished that has already been worked (in other words, instead of wiping off the polish that was worked on by hand with a towel, the rotary can "wipe off" the polish for you). What's this all about cause that would be a great time saver for me (I'm not talking about mf bonnets though, I think they stink)! Thanks
 
Yes the rotary will do the work in less time, sometimes *dramatically* less time.



But you still have to wipe the polish off, it doesn't take off the residue for you. Sometimes some of us leave the rotary polish residue on the panels and polish over it with something like the PC/Cyclo, but you gotta know when that's a good/bad idea.
 
Accumulator said:
Sometimes some of us leave the rotary polish residue on the panels and polish over it with something like the PC/Cyclo, but you gotta know when that's a good/bad idea.
Click to expand...



Why would you do this for?



By the way, thanks for your reply
 
xfire said:
Assuming I am an expert with a rotary, which I don't even have (but let's assume it here), how would I save time correcting paint problems such as swirls and super-fine sratching in comparison with using a PC? Last time I detailed my buddy's Civic, it took us about 5-6 hours for a 3-step polish (compound, polish, and finishing polish) with the PC on a speed of 5-6 on every panel. This just seems to take too long. Why would the rotary save time??



The real question that I'm aching to know is: Does it take less time to actually polish a panel? For example, if with the PC it takes 8 passes until the polish is ready to remove, would it take 3-4 passes with a rotary to have the polish ready to remove (assuming you are using the same pad and polish at the time).



The "rotary usage" thread doesn't seem to help.



Also, reading the "rotary usage" thread, people mention that with a rotary you can completely remove polished that has already been worked (in other words, instead of wiping off the polish that was worked on by hand with a towel, the rotary can "wipe off" the polish for you). What's this all about cause that would be a great time saver for me (I'm not talking about mf bonnets though, I think they stink)! Thanks
Click to expand...



The rotary takes much less time to correct defects in the paint and can correct the tough ones that a PC can't. The rotary however does take a lot of practice to perfect and even when you feel comfortable using one, it's still easy to burn the paint or rub an edge down to primer. The rotary produces much more heat and caution needs to be taken when using one. I've used a rotary sparingly and will usually follow up with the pc for a final polish. Just be cuatious and really watch closely around edges.
 
xfire said:
Why would you [leave rotary residue on the panels]?
Click to expand...



Time savings- it's simply a way of cutting a corner if you can get away with it. I first tried it on a black rent-a-Suburban (that was eating my life time-wise) and was happily surprised that it didn't cause any problems. Since then a few others have tried it with similarly good results.



Oh, and similar to what 94BlkStang posted, I *always* follow my rotary work with the PC/Cyclo. Don't feel you have to utterly master the rotary to benefit from it.
 
On good paint I find I'm able to get away with using foam waffle pad on my rotary with 3M Perfect-It 3000 SMR, it will take out most swirl marks and leave a very nice finish, good enough to be waxed. I did this to most of the panels on a black Pontiac G6 (demo car that was taken through carwash many times, LOTS of swirl marks) with little use of rubbing compound. I did the whole car in probably 4hrs. The other day I noticed it was parked next to a brand new black G6, and looked just as good or better.
 
Assuming you're an expert with a rotary (like G35Stilez), polishing WILL take less time because you'd end up doing 3-4 passes to break down polishes (depending on your rpm setting, polish, humidity, etc.)



You'd still have to wipe off the polish. That's the best part! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top