Flex PE8/Rotary Users Need Help with Splatter

Kamakaz1961

Kamakaz1961

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I have the new Flex PE8 Kompakt rotary and I am loving it. I have been using it enough to let everyone here know that you can get a perfect shine with NO HOLOGRAMS!

Someone scratched the side of my drivers door. So I wet sanded the door and used the PE8 for compounding/polish.

My problem that I am still having this issue and I still can't figure it out is SPLATTER!

Even though this is a minor problem, I still get frustrated having compound/polish splatter all over the place where I am working. In this case, the area I was working on was about 2" by 2".

No matter what I did I had splatter. The good thing is no holograms with the rotary.

My question to ALL rotary users, how do you eliminate splatter when using the rotary.

10/10 method helps but my case the actual area of repair was too small for that method and not much compound/polish was needed.

I had the speed setting a 4 for both compound/polish. If you could enlighten me on your technique of little or no splatter would be helpful.

Thanks in advance

CJ
 
try using less polish/ compound. with the smaller pads I have noticed that if you get any on the outside edge of the pad it will splatter. you could also try going down in speed a little. that was noticed by me the first time I used mine. was on the fence about getting one at first but now I am glad I did.
 
There are times where I did notice splatter on smaller pads more so than going to a larger pad. What I noticed is that the smaller pads tend to need less product and don't need to be primed in the same matter as a larger pad does.

With that said, after having issues with over priming the pad with product, I went to using a QD such as M34 very lightly over the pad when it's virgin. From there, I apply a small pea drop of product to the pad. Next, I will spread the product to the substrate of paint in a 2 by 2 section with a low rpm. This will allow me to spread the product while getting a feel for how the product, paint and polisher are reacting to each other. Lastly, I will increase the speed of the polisher to the appropriate level based on how I tested the paint with the polisher, buffing pad, etc.

You will notice that some of QD will spray out of the pad rather than product; however, you will notice that product will be a little easier to wipe off.
 
flatstick said:
try using less polish/ compound. with the smaller pads I have noticed that if you get any on the outside edge of the pad it will splatter. you could also try going down in speed a little. that was noticed by me the first time I used mine. was on the fence about getting one at first but now I am glad I did.
Click to expand...

Ahh!! This must be the case!! I used the 2" Orange and Green Flex Pads. I put on 2 drops and it splattered on the outside edge too.

I will reduce the amount of product and slow it down a little too. This is my 1st venture with a rotary and I am digging it!!

:xyxthumbs:
 
Gil_ said:
There are times where I did notice splatter on smaller pads more so than going to a larger pad. What I noticed is that the smaller pads tend to need less product and don't need to be primed in the same matter as a larger pad does.

With that said, after having issues with over priming the pad with product, I went to using a QD such as M34 very lightly over the pad when it's virgin. From there, I apply a small pea drop of product to the pad. Next, I will spread the product to the substrate of paint in a 2 by 2 section with a low rpm. This will allow me to spread the product while getting a feel for how the product, paint and polisher are reacting to each other. Lastly, I will increase the speed of the polisher to the appropriate level based on how I tested the paint with the polisher, buffing pad, etc.

You will notice that some of QD will spray out of the pad rather than product; however, you will notice that product will be a little easier to wipe off.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gil!! I will try your technique with a QD. Experiment with it and see what I can do. You are correct that I have been using the 2" Flex Pads. My guess a larger pad there would be no splatter issues.
 
For larger pads, 10 to 10 works well. For the small pads, I personally put a small ring around the center of the pad, put the pad onto the car and SLOWLY turn on the rotary and let it spread a little.

Also you may want to try priming the pad since its small and then using just a drop or two for your area.
 
ryandamartini said:
For larger pads, 10 to 10 works well. For the small pads, I personally put a small ring around the center of the pad, put the pad onto the car and SLOWLY turn on the rotary and let it spread a little.

Also you may want to try priming the pad since its small and then using just a drop or two for your area.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointers. My guess that my pads are too small. I was using the 2" Flex Pads at speed setting 4. Additionally, I did prime the pads, however, I started at 4.

I will put the speed setting to 1 and SLOWLY work my way up to the higher speed setting.

I do agree if I had a larger pad I do not think this would be a big issue. But either way...the Flex PE8 is an awesome machine. IMO a great choice for a small machine.

I am extremely impressed with it with the exception of splatter.....LOL

:buffing:
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
Thanks for the pointers. My guess that my pads are too small. I was using the 2" Flex Pads at speed setting 4. Additionally, I did prime the pads, however, I started at 4.

I will put the speed setting to 1 and SLOWLY work my way up to the higher speed setting.

I do agree if I had a larger pad I do not think this would be a big issue. But either way...the Flex PE8 is an awesome machine. IMO a great choice for a small machine.

I am extremely impressed with it with the exception of splatter.....LOL

:buffing:
Click to expand...

This is really the crux of the rotary. When I started in 2006, rotary was the goal. It was where you moved to once your skill set was advanced enough. I learned with my PC 7336 and used it for a couple years then bought my FLEX VVB which is sadly not sold anymore. I've turned out many beautiful cars without holograms.

Rotary in my opinion is just an amazing polishing technology. There is so much effort in demonizing rotaries by manufacturers because they are expanding their reach for revenue beyond the professional market. I'll also go on and say rotary is a skill check. You must wash, decontaminate, and prepare your surface properly.

Anyone claiming to be a "detailer" should be able to give the rotary the attention, focus, and proper preparation it needs and thus learn to really produce a shining car. With the low speeds now available on rotaries, ever softer pads, and finishing polishes, you can truly make a burnished surface that just glows.

Try as they might, I'm of the opinion a rotary in the right hands does produce a different quality result and applaud you for going with it!

Didn't mean to rant but I've just seen one too many videos even here on AG where manufacturers say things like rotary burn through, sling, etc , etc. Even starting out, I never got anywhere near burning paint.

I'm just over everyone demonizing this technology and wish more work was put in by the community to stop this. They are serious tools and with just some attention, patience, and time put in, they are incredible tools!

/end rant.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
Ahh!! This must be the case!! I used the 2" Orange and Green Flex Pads. I put on 2 drops and it splattered on the outside edge too.

I will reduce the amount of product and slow it down a little too. This is my 1st venture with a rotary and I am digging it!!

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...


I just got mine yesterday and used it on a customers car and WOW I don't know what I have done all this time without this little machine. I am loving it and can second the no holograms
 
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