Rotary Buffer

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

How about the Flex 3403?

The lowest RPM is 1100 RPM and when it comes to,

1. Clearcoat paints
2. Newbies learning to use the rotary buffer

Lower rpms = better

The Flex PE14 dials down to 400 RPM the lowest in the industry for paint polishing.


There's really no need for high rpms when it comes to working on modern clearcoat paints. See page 124 and 125 of my how-to book,

The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Lower rpms = better



There's really no need for high rpms when it comes to working on modern clearcoat paints. See page 124 and 125 of my how-to book,

Granted, I'm not the most experienced rotary user, but I'm usually around 1200-1500 RPM's when compounding. I don't finish with a rotary, so I rarely go under these speeds. Works for me and I'm a rotary noob. Just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Granted, I'm not the most experienced rotary user, but I'm usually around 1200-1500 RPM's when compounding. I don't finish with a rotary, so I rarely go under these speeds. Works for me and I'm a rotary noob. Just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks.

My thoughts are everyone finds a technique that works best for them.

In my how-to book I share the precautions for using a rotary buffer with clearcoat paints.

As for me I tend to do most of my compounding on the 2 setting of the Flex PE14 which is 900 RPM. When working on gel-coat boats I will run up to 1500 rpm because gel-coat (polyester resin), is not as susceptible to damage by heat and it's also a lot thicker than THIN factory clearcoats and even thin repaints.

In the below video I used the Flex PE14 to remove 100 percent of the sanding marks in a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu after machine sanding each body panel.


How to wet sand a car - Time Lapse Video
11,091



The process I used was safe, effective and about as fast as a person should go when doing this type of work to this type of car.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

My thoughts are everyone finds a technique that works best for them.

In my how-to book I share the precautions for using a rotary buffer with clearcoat paints.

As for me I tend to do most of my compounding on the 2 setting of the Flex PE14 which is 900 RPM. When working on gel-coat boats I will run up to 1500 rpm because gel-coat (polyester resin), is not as susceptible to damage by heat and it's also a lot thicker than THIN factory clearcoats and even thin repaints.

In the below video I used the Flex PE14 to remove 100 percent of the sanding marks in a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu after machine sanding each body panel.


How to wet sand a car - Time Lapse Video



The process I used was safe, effective and about as fast as a person should go when doing this type of work to this type of car.

Thanks Mike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ccrew]

Yes, if you use larger pads, it will get hot and it has this annoying high pitch noise.

"It" being which one?

 

[Rsurfer]

"It" being which one?

"It" being the 3403.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I'd recommend spending the extra money to get the Flex PE14.


Read this...


The Flex PE14 Rotary Polisher - The rotary I grab first...

Mike, what makes the PE-14 smoother than any other rotary?

 

[whavens]

I used one at the Boot Camp, and I think the combination of machined gears, quality bearings and weight distribution make it so much better than the rest.

Walter

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

 

[Rsurfer]

I used one at the Boot Camp, and I think the combination of machined gears, quality bearings and weight distribution make it so much better than the rest.

Walter

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

:righton::dblthumb2:IMO smoothest rotary on the planet.

 

[HoldenFlinner48]

Alright guys thanks for the info! Mike I also ordered your book, it should be here Monday!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mike, what makes the PE-14 smoother than any other rotary?

Machined stainless steel gears instead of stamped steel gears would be the first thing but there's more to it than that.

In 2011 Bob Eichelberg flew Nick and I to Germany to tour the manufacturing plant as well as a number of other reasons like having a meeting with the Flex engineers to discuss ideas for new tools. See this thread,

Secret meeting with the Flex Engineers!



If you are really interested in why the Flex PE14 is smoother and a better build tool overall then click the link to my write-up for our tour through the Flex manufacturing plant below. Look at the pictures and read my copy. I was the first person Flex ever let take pictures and share the pictures in the history of the plant.


Germany Flex Plant Tour Pictures



Same goes for my visit with RUPES. First person they ever allowed to take pictures and share with the public.

Top Secret Pictures – How Rupes Bigfoot Polishers are made!




Enjoy!


icture:

 

[Hoytman]

While I'm kicking myself for not physically using the PE14 to polish with at the Evansville, Indiana get together I can offer testimony to how much quieter the PE14 is compared to the Dewalt849x and the Makita rotary's.

I did, however, hold all three rotary's and hit their triggers to see which had less vibrations. The PE14 had so much less vibrations that I forgot how the other 2 machines compared to each other.

To be honest, if you've been around any factories with moters and gear boxes it's really easy to tell which run the smoothest and with the least vibrations...those would be your most quiet machines.

In this the case of rotary's sound, or rather a lack thereof, is key to which machine is the smoothest running...the PE14 hands down victor. I plan on getting one soon.

 

[JWilliams.RadiantDetail]

I got picked for the advanced class @ Meguiar's in Irvine this coming Saturday. Part of the itinerary's learning how to use a rotary. I've never used one, I know a small part of a single day class isn't going to be enough for me to learn how to use one. I'll be excited to get some hands on time with one, oh and a panel I don't have to worry about butchering

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

While I'm kicking myself for not physically using the PE14 to polish with at the Evansville, Indiana get together I can offer testimony to how much quieter the PE14 is compared to the Dewalt849x and the Makita rotary's.

I did, however, hold all three rotary's and hit their triggers to see which had less vibrations. The PE14 had so much less vibrations that I forgot how the other 2 machines compared to each other.

And for those that might have missed that event and the thread that goes with it....


Pictures with Dennis Gage at the Evansville Detailing Class


And from page 2 of the above thread....


Rotary Buffers
We also went over how to use a rotary buffer including, using a wool pad with M105 to remove sanding marks, using a polishing pad with M205 to remove holograms left by the wool pad, using a black finishing pad to jewel the paint to a clear, high gloss finish using Menzerna SF 4500...

Attaching a wool cutting pad to a Meguiar's flexible backing plate on the DeWALT 849X

For each step I emphasized the importance of working clean...

Cutting out the sanding marks around the rear edge of the hood...

Inspecting the results and showing the holograms left by the wool pad...

Removing the swirls using a Meguiar's foam polishing pad...

Inspecting the results, most people thought the finish looked pretty good after this step...

Cleaning a finishing pad...

Laying down a bead of Menzerna SF 4500...

Working the polish at 600 RPM and a very light touch...

No pressure except the weight of the rotary buffer...

Wipe-off the residue...

Show car results...