Metabo users: is the PC necessary?

C

crew219

New member
Been contemplating selling my PC with the arrival of the Metabo. Is it worthwhile to keep the PC?



Will be using the 6.5" LC CCS pads with the metabo, the PC has sonus 6" SFX pads. Only reason contemplating keeping the PC is for the plastic rear bumper of my vehicle (front bumper has complete clearbra), but there is very little marring or correction needed on the bumpers.



Your thoughts are appreciated.



Dave
 
There's some good reasons for keeping the PC. First of all, especially since you're new to the rotary, you'll probably want to use the PC for final polishing. It's too easy to install some holograms until you get some skill under your belt. Also, the PC is much better suited to applying and removing wax. It's a great time saver for that over working by hand.
 
velobard said:
There's some good reasons for keeping the PC. First of all, especially since you're new to the rotary, you'll probably want to use the PC for final polishing. It's too easy to install some holograms until you get some skill under your belt. Also, the PC is much better suited to applying and removing wax. It's a great time saver for that over working by hand.
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I thought about that. Even with the PC, I do all my sealant application and removal by hand. The PC has been solely used for paint correction and nothing else. The reason why I purchased the Metabo was because I could not correct defects to the extent that I wanted within a certain timeframe, utilizing the stiffest SFX pad and IP. I realize that working the same area over and over with the PC would eventually result in the desired effect, but I simply am opting for an easier solution.



I have had limited experiences with a Makita 9227. One of my original details with it was on a black lincoln LS with heavy swirling. No hologramming or buffer trails were present and the swirls were removed. IIRC the LS's paint is significantly softer than Audi paint, so I am assuming that perhaps beginners pains may not be as much of an issue? (I could be completely wrong).



Thanks for the feedback, do you also have any opinions as to whether 6.5" flat or 7.5" curved pads are more prone to creating holograms/buffer trails?



Dave
 
If there's any other reason to keep the PC, it's to use it exclusively for 4" pads. I bought a Festool Rotex to replace my PC and was in the same shoes you're currently in... wanting to sell my PC, but others suggested using the PC solely for 4" pads. That's exactly what I did.



Good luck with you your decision, nonetheless,

Mike
 
Yeah, I too think you oughta keep it. Even with two rotaries and two Cyclos, I often find that the PC is just right for a certain job. Happens a lot more than I would've expected. Audi example that comes to mind: the black plastic "B" pillars.
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, I too think you oughta keep it. Even with two rotaries and two Cyclos, I often find that the PC is just right for a certain job. Happens a lot more than I would've expected. Audi example that comes to mind: the black plastic "B" pillars.
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Out of curiosity, what do you mean by plastic B pillars? Most audis seem to have a black/clearcoated B pillars. Mine has a matte black painted B pillar. I've simply been using some AIO on them and they haven't shown any scratching or marring of any sorts.



From most of the responses, it seems as if the PC should be kept for use with 4" pads (I assume for spot touchups). Wouldn't it be possible to do the same with 4" pads on a rotary? Also, wouldn't the rotary with a 6.5" pad have enough strength to touchup any spots necessary?



Dave
 
crew219 said:
Out of curiosity, what do you mean by plastic B pillars? Most audis seem to have a black/clearcoated B pillars. Mine has a matte black painted B pillar. I've simply been using some AIO on them and they haven't shown any scratching or marring of any sorts.



From most of the responses, it seems as if the PC should be kept for use with 4" pads (I assume for spot touchups). Wouldn't it be possible to do the same with 4" pads on a rotary? Also, wouldn't the rotary with a 6.5" pad have enough strength to touchup any spots necessary?



Dave
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Guess I'm dating myself as the newest of our Audis is a '01 :o On the ones we've had, the "B" pillars and trim on rear door windows/etc. is black plastic (which is, I believe, clearcoated) but it's glossy, not matte, and they do get marred (and oh man does it show). The '07 A8 and A6 loaners we've had seemed to have the same stuff, but I wasn't really paying attention to them and your model could be completely different.



I suppose it's a personal prefernce thing (holograms notwithstanding) but I use the rotary for some spot repairs but not all. The rotary does do the job fine with any size pad but it's not always the machine I reach for.



If you ever use AIO type products, the PC is great for those.
 
Accumulator said:
Guess I'm dating myself as the newest of our Audis is a '01 :o On the ones we've had, the "B" pillars and trim on rear door windows/etc. is black plastic (which is, I believe, clearcoated) but it's glossy, not matte, and they do get marred (and oh man does it show). The '07 A8 and A6 loaners we've had seemed to have the same stuff, but I wasn't really paying attention to them and your model could be completely different.



I suppose it's a personal prefernce thing (holograms notwithstanding) but I use the rotary for some spot repairs but not all. The rotary does do the job fine with any size pad but it's not always the machine I reach for.



If you ever use AIO type products, the PC is great for those.
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In General doesn't the Cyclo do a better job faster than the PC ?

With the Cyclo and a Rotary is there really much need for the PC anymore?

Changeling
 
Changeling said:
With the Cyclo and a Rotary is there really much need for the PC anymore?
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Change, forgive me if my memory is playing tricks on me, but didn't you ask same question about month ago and it was answered?
 
Yeah, I recall saying how for some contours (and products, like KAIO) the Cyclo just isn't suitable so I have to keep the PC around or else do things by hand.



Same old analogy I always use, it's like having a lot of different sizes/types of wrenches as opposed to one crescent wrench.
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, I recall saying how for some contours (and products, like KAIO) the Cyclo just isn't suitable so I have to keep the PC around or else do things by hand.



Same old analogy I always use, it's like having a lot of different sizes/types of wrenches as opposed to one crescent wrench.
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Yes I did ask the question, I spoke before I put my thinking cap on, seems I do that a lot.

Changeling
 
Accumulator said:
Guess I'm dating myself as the newest of our Audis is a '01 :o On the ones we've had, the "B" pillars and trim on rear door windows/etc. is black plastic (which is, I believe, clearcoated) but it's glossy, not matte, and they do get marred (and oh man does it show). The '07 A8 and A6 loaners we've had seemed to have the same stuff, but I wasn't really paying attention to them and your model could be completely different.



I suppose it's a personal prefernce thing (holograms notwithstanding) but I use the rotary for some spot repairs but not all. The rotary does do the job fine with any size pad but it's not always the machine I reach for.



If you ever use AIO type products, the PC is great for those.
Click to expand...



I hear ya.



I just received a set of 7.5" & 4" CCS pads from CMA. I'm pretty impressed with the constant pressure foam layer and think I will be returning the 6.5" CCS after examining the 7.5"'s beveling.



Generally, I do not use AIO products. I prefer to machine polish with a finishing polish and then apply LSPs by hand. However, I just got done detailing my wheels using the PC. Quite versatile and it managed to save me lots of time, but overall I think I could easily accomplish the same thing with a 4" CCS pad.



Here's a horrible pic of the new matte finish I was talking about on the A3s.



DSWeatherstripping2.jpg




I really like it as the old glossy B pillars were a pita to maintain.



Dave
 
crew219 said:
I hear ya...



.. I just got done detailing my wheels using the PC. Quite versatile and it managed to save me lots of time, but overall I think I could easily accomplish the same thing with a 4" CCS pad...



Here's a horrible pic of the new matte finish I was talking about on the A3s...I really like it as the old glossy B pillars were a pita to maintain.
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Heh heh, and *I* hear *you* about those glossy pillars being a pain! It occurred to me later (after seeing one in European Car magazine) that your A3 has a different finish than what I'm used to.



I dunno...but I find that a lot of jobs just seem better suited to the PC than the rotary, perhaps I just like the nearly idiot-proof nature of the former :nixweiss. Considering how much (or rather, how *little*) I think you'd recoup if you sold the PC, I'd hold onto it for a while and see if you get to say "don't need it; told ya so" or not.



One thing I really like the PC for is doing stuff like rocker panels with products like AIO. Knowing me, I'd use it to AIO those "B" pillars of yours too.
 
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