typical rotary questions

AudiTTman

AudiTTman

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I bought a Makita rotary for an early Christmas present and just looking at it makes me happy. However, Im a little confused on which pads to use with my rotary and also backing plates. I have quite a few CCS pads left over from my PC, all of which are 5.5. Ive heard different things, like using wool is better with a rotary and that foam pads are hard to control, tend to jump....etc.

I also have 2 large containers full of Menzerna sip and Nano, and would like to purchase something to jewel, i just dont know which fine polish to buy(3m ultrafine possibly?). thanks guys
 
Congrats on the Rotary :D I'm anxious to pick one up myself, maybe after winter.

Pad selection shouldn't change as far as I know. Wool for heavy cut/compounding and varying Foam for everything else. I think it's more about learning the characteristics of a Rotary, not that foam pads are no good on one. IDK though, I'm only beginning to collect knowledge about rotary use, which I've half-avoided.

I really like 3M Ultrafine and am on the verge of ordering Menz Po85rd to accompany it on the shelf. From my research these two are "Best Bet" Jeweling Polishes. :cheers:
 
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well thats good to know, i was worried at first that i was going to have to get all new types of pads and so forth lol. Yea ive been a bit nervous about the whole rotary thing too. I love my DA and will never get rid of it! Yea I have never actually jeweled a car yet, but i hear the results are outta this world
 
Guys I have been using 3m ultrafine for 3 years until I was introduced to 85rd. It is better to me and I love it. I don't think I am going back to 3m after trying 85rd out....
 
AudiTTman said:
I bought a Makita rotary for an early Christmas present and just looking at it makes me happy. However, Im a little confused on which pads to use with my rotary and also backing plates. I have quite a few CCS pads left over from my PC, all of which are 5.5. Ive heard different things, like using wool is better with a rotary and that foam pads are hard to control, tend to jump....etc.

I also have 2 large containers full of Menzerna sip and Nano, and would like to purchase something to jewel, i just dont know which fine polish to buy(3m ultrafine possibly?). thanks guys
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Get some Kompressure pads now that they are on sale at AG. Both 85rd and Ultrafina are great for jeweling with a blue pad.
 
Ohhh gosh, last time i was in the forum posting my life away, i remember that the kompressure pads had just come out! well now i may just be able to buy a few now hahaha.

Ohh i hate to add on another question, but do you guys prefer a heavy rotary to a light weight one. I mean the dewalt is around 8lbs, makita somewhere in the middle, and the light weight flex at 5lbs. I just didnt know if someone new to rotary work would have more easy with one or the other
 
Everyone has their own preference. For example, I have used Dewalts forever and use the weight of the machine with absolutley no pressure applied. With Makitas, it is the same story unless you have stubborn spots... and with the 3403... a bit of pressure may have to be applied in some spots to get the correction done. I am going to buy the Makita next, though, to give it a try. You will be happy with the 85rd!
 
If you are new to rotary work... you may find the 3403 somewhat easier than the big boys... but to each their own.
 
AudiTTman said:
Ohhh gosh, last time i was in the forum posting my life away, i remember that the kompressure pads had just come out! well now i may just be able to buy a few now hahaha.

Ohh i hate to add on another question, but do you guys prefer a heavy rotary to a light weight one. I mean the dewalt is around 8lbs, makita somewhere in the middle, and the light weight flex at 5lbs. I just didnt know if someone new to rotary work would have more easy with one or the other
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As far as rotary weight it comes down to what you are comfortable with. The weight issue comes more into play while doing side panels .
 
rwisejr said:
As far as rotary weight it comes down to what you are comfortable with. The weight issue comes more into play while doing side panels .
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That's what I was thinking. The benefit of less fatigue with a light weight machine while working on side panels would be much greater than any benefit of letting the extra weight do the work when on horizontal panels.

Does a heavier machine help prevent the polisher from "walking" or skipping? If so won't practice fix that, negating any benefit from more weight?
 
I own a makita and it is a nice smooth tool to work with. The foam pads I bought (8" edge 2K flat) did jump around a lot at first but it really had nothing to do with the pads. It is just part of the learning curve. I never get pad hop now that I have gotten through the curve.

I did however get the 6" edge 2K pads for DA polishers and always grab them for my rotary work, they are much easier to work with and much safer in my oppinion because of the smooth rounded edge on them.

Steve @ poorboy's coached me on the use of the rotary while chatting in the chat room over at DC. One of the most important things he told me was to keep the speed setting at 2 or lower until I got the hang of it,and to utilize tape as insurance when dealing with edges and gaps between panels.

Be careful to keep the rotation going in the correct direction when dealing with edges, you want the pad to spin "off" the edge of a hood or similar edge. If the pad is spinning toward the rear edge of a hood (near windshield) rotating from the direction of the windshield toward the hood, the edge will grab the pad and possibly throw the tool right out of your hands and if that happens, big trouble!! so always make sure the pad spins "off" the edge toward the windshield. Be mindful of this while working any panel with a sharp edge.

This may seem silly but if you are polishing an edge or a complex curve and a dog runs by, Do not look in the direction of the dog or any other distraction while the pad is still spinning on the paint. If you do you will have burned or cut through the paint on that edge. ALWAYS keep focused on the job while using a rotary polisher.

Just a few of my own thoughts to try to help with your learning curve. Congrats on stepping up to the next level. Just pay attention to the job, respect the tool as something that can and will cause damage and just go slow and all will be good.
 
thank you very much for the advice! I will surely watch the rotation of the buffer. If i hadnt have known that, i would have surely made a boo-boo on my black paint lol!
 
tuscarora dave said:
Be careful to keep the rotation going in the correct direction when dealing with edges, you want the pad to spin "off" the edge...
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I made that mistake around door handles with my Flex DA, it didn't "throw" the machine but did polish through to the primer/plastic in a very short time (on the Toyota not my on my Audi's rock-hard clear). I can only imagine how fast it would be with a Rotary.
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
I made that mistake around door handles with my Flex DA, it didn't "throw" the machine but did polish through to the primer/plastic in a very short time (on the Toyota not my on my Audi's rock-hard clear). I can only imagine how fast it would be with a Rotary.
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That's why tape is your best friend!
 
LincolnZephyr2006 said:
That's why tape is your best friend!
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Indeed, took me one use of the polisher to learn that one. :buffing:
Along with a test car that will inevitably go through the Automatic Swirl Installer many times, regardless of what I say. Great for trying new polish/pad combos though! :xyxthumbs:
 
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