How much rotation on DA for slower speeds?

[deeman]

I just purchased my first DA (a Harbor Freight - HF) and I am curious about the desired rotation. I was getting good rotations, meaning the pad was spinning in a circular direction, when I was polishing with the machine set on 5 and with a firm pad. This DA has speeds 1-6. However when I set the machine to 3 and used a soft pad I had a heck of a time getting the DA to freely rotate while the DA was on working in the wax.

I tried to keep the pressure very light, but I had to actually lift the machine off the surface quite a bit(not just support the weight) in order to get the pad to rotate. This may be a shortfall of the HF DA but I don’t know since it’s a new experience for me.
Is this normal for typical DA’s? I know it’s kind of subjective.

Also, I suspect the rotation is REQUIRED to get the wax properly onto the surface, right? In other words, I should not just rely on the tiny circular motions to do the work at the 2-3 power settings on the DA – agree?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

You need the pad to rotate under pressure to remove paint or in other words to remove defects like swirls and scratches.

It doesn't matter if the pad is rotating or not if you're just trying to spread out a FINISHING wax or sealant.

If you're using a ONE-STEP CLEANER/WAX to remove defects then you back to needing the pad to rotate under pressure.

I have articles on all your question in my article list... start here,



I recommend everyone read this article first - before you need to troubleshoot

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide


A LOT more here... look for the pictures of the DA Polishers we sell and all the links under the pictuers...

Articles by Mike Phillips



Dual Action Polishers

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Also, I suspect the rotation is REQUIRED to get the wax properly onto the surface, right? In other words, I should not just rely on the tiny circular motions to do the work at the 2-3 power settings on the DA – agree?

No.

A good chemist creates a wax, sealant or coating to stick/bond/adhere to car paint regardless of the motion used to spread it over the surface.

 

[deeman]

Thanks for the helpful and prompt response!!! Great info!