"Rotary Compounding is Dead" Article

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MattyL

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I came across this article browsing yesterday's posts: Rotary Compounding – Is It Dead? | Todd Cooperider Online

Someone had embedded it in their reply to the OP of a recent thread (sorry, can't seem to locate the thread to give the embedder any credit) and I, for some reason, found it to be highly intriguing.

I purchased a rotary as my first machine (practicing on salvaged panel before I take it to my ride though), but am now second-guessing my choice when weighing the risks and head-aches of the rotary against the potential of the right DA setup as espoused in the article.

Should this article be given credence? Are their legitimate DA combos that would support these claims? Are rotary's really better for applying FINISHING polishes?

Wondering what everybody thinks.
 
Not that I'm all that experienced, but a DA + MF pads never let me alone... I really don't know how bad a car must be until a DA with a MF pad can't take care of it....
For me, I'm jumping on this trend.... I just bought a rotary and will use it only to jewel the paint as with DA polishers there is always something missing in the gloss to my eyes...... even using a black or crimson pad with po85rd.....

BTW... .The source is trustworthy.
 
DaC said:
Not that I'm all that experienced, but a DA + MF pads never let me alone... I really don't know how bad a car must be until a DA with a MF pad can't take care of it....
For me, I'm jumping on this trend.... I just bought a rotary and will use it only to jewel the paint as with DA polishers there is always something missing in the gloss to my eyes...... even using a black or crimson pad with po85rd.....

BTW... .The source is trustworthy.
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yes the rotary is dead!!! u can still use the rotary but with the advancements in compounds and pads the DA is by far the easiest and safest and cuts 30-40% of ur buffing time without the possibility of swirls...im a professional detailer and only use the rotary when doing headlights...u can accomplish anything u want to with a DA in alot less time...
 
If you are solely talking about autos - sure you dont NEED it anymore - but if you want to be a GREAT detailer and focus on ALL industries, then you need to have the knowledge and ability to use the rotary. OR, you could take 10 hours to compound/polish a gel-coat bus cap - or 100 hours to compound/polish a 25 foot boat to the quality that of 2 hours on a gelcoat bus cap, or the quality of 30 hours on a 25 ft boat. If you are going to do something, do it to your best ability - including detailing.... which means learning and mastering the rotary. A very important tool IMO for quality and time purposes.
 
B&B Tennessee said:
If you are solely talking about autos - sure you dont NEED it anymore - but if you want to be a GREAT detailer and focus on ALL industries, then you need to have the knowledge and ability to use the rotary. OR, you could take 10 hours to compound/polish a gel-coat bus cap - or 100 hours to compound/polish a 25 foot boat to the quality that of 2 hours on a gelcoat bus cap, or the quality of 30 hours on a 25 ft boat. If you are going to do something, do it to your best ability - including detailing.... which means learning and mastering the rotary. A very important tool IMO for quality and time purposes.
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^ Beat me to it

As long as chalky white gel coats exist, there will always be a need for the rotary ;)
 
Flash Gordon said:
^ Beat me to it

As long as chalky white gel coats exist, there will always be a need for the rotary ;)
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yes, people still use them on boats...u can also achieve great results with a DA on a boat...so yes if a boat is severely oxidized than u will be able to cut it faster with a wool pad and follow with a DA as a finishing step...but this site is more for less experienced people so that is why i said what i said...not that what i said wasn't true because u can achieve great results on boats, rv's, trailers and much more!!! if u need some lessons or tips on how to's... i can help u with that! so stop acting like u know everything on a beginner site because ur commenting on someone's post that actually no's what they are doing and does this 7 days a week!!!
 
what intrigues me is what pads/products are coming out for the DA in the near future as technology keeps advancing, you never know what to expect. very exciting indeed...
 
detailworldhky said:
if u need some lessons or tips on how to's... i can help u with that! so stop acting like u know everything on a beginner site because ur commenting on someone's post that actually no's what they are doing and does this 7 days a week!!!
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Yes sir! Please excuse my ignorance! I was not aware we were being graced with someone as talented as you are...



Who are you again?
 
detailworldhky said:
yes, people still use them on boats...u can also achieve great results with a DA on a boat...so yes if a boat is severely oxidized than u will be able to cut it faster with a wool pad and follow with a DA as a finishing step...but this site is more for less experienced people so that is why i said what i said...not that what i said wasn't true because u can achieve great results on boats, rv's, trailers and much more!!! if u need some lessons or tips on how to's... i can help u with that! so stop acting like u know everything on a beginner site because ur commenting on someone's post that actually no's what they are doing and does this 7 days a week!!!
Click to expand...

So everyone on this site is less experienced and it is only for beginners?
I think you are a bit off the mark here. This site caters to and has users with many different levels of experience.
 
Audi X2 said:
So everyone on this site is less experienced and it is only for beginners?
I think you are a bit off the mark here. This site caters to and has users with many different levels of experience.
Click to expand...
i was giving advice to someone who was asking if he made the right choice in selecting between the rotary and a DA...if u are current in today's products and techniques not just what AG sells online, then u would know that in today's market the DA is the king not the rotary...if u want to jump in and state ur opinion about boats then so be it...but obviously the person that asked the question is not as experienced as others, other wise they wouldn't have asked that question!!! so have a great night and enjoy the AG forum
 
detailworldhky said:
i was giving advice to someone who was asking if he made the right choice in selecting between the rotary and a DA...if u are current in today's products and techniques not just what AG sells online, then u would know that in today's market the DA is the king not the rotary...if u want to jump in and state ur opinion about boats then so be it...but obviously the person that asked the question is not as experienced as others, other wise they wouldn't have asked that question!!! so have a great night and enjoy the AG forum
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I am not questioning the advances in product and pad technology as it relates to the DA machine. I never spoke of boats or claim that the rotary is the preferred method for paint correction in the year 2012. Todd Cooperider's article is very well written and does an excellent job of explaining in detail why the rotary has less necessity in the arsenal of a detailer with technology currently available.

All that I was stating was that you were making generalizations regarding all of the members on this forum and it came off to me as disrespectful and condescending to this community that welcomes and caters to people of many skill levels and backgrounds.

I was not attacking you as I enjoy the input and diversity of the many that contribute here on a daily basis.
 
detailworldhky said:
i was giving advice to someone who was asking if he made the right choice in selecting between the rotary and a DA...if u are current in today's products and techniques not just what AG sells online, then u would know that in today's market the DA is the king not the rotary...
Click to expand...

Instead of arguing back and forth, let's try and talk this out :)

1st off, you said you were giving advice to someone that asked, what do you think I was doing?

2nd, what secret products and techniques are you using that are neither sold here (AG) or discussed in depth on this forum (AGO)?
 
Wow - pretty shocked how this thread is going! I can say that I have learned TONS from Flash over the past couple of years - on top of that I feel that I have become an expert in the detailing world as well through thousands of autos, rvs, buses, boats, and aircraft serviced. With all this said - yes a rotary is a much needed tool and there is no real reason to argue against it - if one chooses to stick solely to a DA and the tools associated, then they will not become a true expert in detailing. Im sure the gentleman that created the ratchet thought that it would surely replace the wrench - but a wrench is needed and is used by every experienced mechanic world wide - same holds true for the rotary IMO. My company uses the rotary day in and day out - I have used the DA along side the rotary on tough gigs and while it looks descent, it is always sub par on projects other than that of autos. But - if you want to excel in only auto, Im sure you can do it with just the DA - but that day will come where a rotary would be the key to get you out of a pickle :dblthumb2:
 
How about we all calm down and go pick up a 3401. It's the best of both worlds. :buffing:
 
B&B Tennessee said:
Wow - pretty shocked how this thread is going! I can say that I have learned TONS from Flash over the past couple of years - on top of that I feel that I have become an expert in the detailing world as well through thousands of autos, rvs, buses, boats, and aircraft serviced. With all this said - yes a rotary is a much needed tool and there is no real reason to argue against it - if one chooses to stick solely to a DA and the tools associated, then they will not become a true expert in detailing. Im sure the gentleman that created the ratchet thought that it would surely replace the wrench - but a wrench is needed and is used by every experienced mechanic world wide - same holds true for the rotary IMO. My company uses the rotary day in and day out - I have used the DA along side the rotary on tough gigs and while it looks descent, it is always sub par on projects other than that of autos. But - if you want to excel in only auto, Im sure you can do it with just the DA - but that day will come where a rotary would be the key to get you out of a pickle :dblthumb2:
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Yeah.... I couldn't even imagine this post going down like this when I replied to it....

BTW I agree with you on the need to master a rotary, that's one of the reasons I bought one too... I can't see myself working on boats or aircrafts, but I'd sure enjoy it.... now imagine doing something like that with a 5.5" pad only.... :buffing:

Divine Details said:
How about we all calm down and go pick up a 3401. It's the best of both worlds. :buffing:
Click to expand...

I took another road: bought a Dewalt 849x and a dynabrade 61384 Im the MAN
1250w with a 3/4" orbit.... this thing must be killer.... I can't wait to use it.... :props:
 
I swear I don't try to instigate...

What do people think of his claim about rotary being more advantageous for finishing than a DA though?

To me, it seems almost counterintuitive to claim this to be the case given some of the potential issues one faces when polishing w/the rotary. I mean, isn't that part of the DA's marketability and design: light defect correction and finishing comparable to a rotary without the risk of paint damage present w/a rotary?

If this is the case, why would anyone want to assume the risks involved w/a rotary when finishing if a DA is available?
 
DaC said:
Yeah.... I couldn't even imagine this post going down like this when I replied to it....

BTW I agree with you on the need to master a rotary, that's one of the reasons I bought one too... I can't see myself working on boats or aircrafts, but I'd sure enjoy it.... now imagine doing something like that with a 5.5" pad only.... :buffing:



I took another road: bought a Dewalt 849x and a dynabrade 61384 Im the MAN
1250w with a 3/4" orbit.... this thing must be killer.... I can't wait to use it.... :props:
Click to expand...

I tried a dynabrade when I tried the flex and it was pretty cool. U can lock it out and have almost back to being a rotary.

But iloved the flex and my rotary came from auto zone so don't know how it would handle the dyna.

P.S.When u use use it carefully it hurts if your finger get hit by the head of the dyna. Don't ask how I know.
 
^ You use about 4 words I've never heard before. Untill I can look them up I can't respond

:p
 
MattyL said:
I swear I don't try to instigate...

What do people think of his claim about rotary being more advantageous for finishing than a DA though?

To me, it seems almost counterintuitive to claim this to be the case given some of the potential issues one faces when polishing w/the rotary. I mean, isn't that part of the DA's marketability and design: light defect correction and finishing comparable to a rotary without the risk of paint damage present w/a rotary?

If this is the case, why would anyone want to assume the risks involved w/a rotary when finishing if a DA is available?
Click to expand...

It just happens that many with not almost all detailers seems to like a Rotary finishing ability better than a DA, and I pretty much agree.....

The thing is... when finishing with a RO you'll mostly use a very very fine finishing polish like PO85RD, and a little to no cut pad, like Lake Country black, blue, red or gold and slow speed mostly...

There was even a guy that posted somewhere a test he did with a "gloss meter"... the RO came on the top in front of a DA or a Flex 3401, in terms of gloss measure.

When he's talking about finishing, he is mostly focusing on the "jeweling" step
 
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