Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

[Justin Murphy]

Ok. I've been actually called out on this topic before on other sites. I mainly use the PC and G110 to all my polishing work. I use the rotary but not often. Why? I just don't have the need for that level of paint correction. I learned to polish with the DA and it does the job for me. Plus, it's safer and I don't have to tape up and worry about burning edges and trim. Just a preference.

I just curious to see what you all think.......

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

My two cents... you do not necessarily need a rotary to do a lot, possibly even most detailing jobs if you are extremely familiar with a DA and have smaller pads and proper products. However, there are certain jobs where a rotary will be more efficient, or maybe even necessary and therefor I think for a pro it is essential that you can at least use one proficiently if necessary.

So, in your case I would think you qualify as a "pro" in my book because you have, and can use one if need be, but you simply choose a different method most of the time.

I personally love using my G110 and can see why you would want to do the same.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

By general definition a Professional is someone that gets paid for their craft...


Meguiar's teaches people to use the right tool for the job, that would include taking into consideration the customer and what they want as well as factoring in what they're willing to pay.

For daily drivers most people just want a clean, shiny car and this can be done with a dual action polisher.

Creating a defect-free, show car finish takes a more time than detailing a daily driver and not only does the average car owner not want to pay for this kind of work but it would be the wrong service for their needs as the results won't last.

So nothing wrong at all with using a DA Polisher for any of your work and still be in the "Pro" category.

One of the most rewarding detail projects I ever had the good fortune to be asked to do was to rub out a 1948 Bentley which I did ail l by hand, no machine work whatsoever.

Match the right tool for the job in all it's dimensions.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

By general definition a Professional is someone that gets paid for their craft...


Meguiar's teaches people to use the right tool for the job, that would include taking into consideration the customer and what they want as well as factoring in what they're willing to pay.

For daily drivers most people just want a clean, shiny car and this can be done with a dual action polisher.

Creating a defect-free, show car finish takes a more time than detailing a daily driver and not only does the average car owner not want to pay for this kind of work but it would be the wrong service for their needs as the results won't last.

So nothing wrong at all with using a DA Polisher for any of your work and still be in the "Pro" category.

One of the most rewarding detail projects I ever had the good fortune to be asked to do was to rub out a 1948 Bentley which I did ail l by hand, no machine work whatsoever.

Match the right tool for the job in all it's dimensions.

Well said.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

Very well Mike. I hope you can see why I posted this though. Some people actually think that unless you spend a minimum of 10 hours on a vehicle, you're not a detailer......you're just a glorified car washer.

[97 Supra]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

In my opinion, professionalism isn't about the tools you use, it's all boils down to ability, trust, and customer satisfaction.

If you have the ability to do something even if everybody else does it, you are a semi pro.

If your clients trust you to do any given job for them, you may be considered a pro.

If you have excellent customer satisfaction after being trusted to use you ability to do a job to the customers liking - you are a true professional.

This business is not "so competitive" that you "have to do it this way" in order for a customer to give you repeat business. Now if 4 detailers are in a given area, 5 of them are advertising the use of "rotary" yeah.. you may need to keep up with the Jones.

Take me for example, I work only by hand for the most part, and how ever time consuming my craft is, people consider my jobs professional because of those three key factors I listed above.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

Since I been a member here, one of the first rules that is taught is "use the least aggressive product." I also believe it translates to machines also. If you are proficient with the rotary, that does not mean it has to be used all the time. Just my 0.02 cents worth.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

Since I been a member here, one of the first rules that is taught is "use the least aggressive product." I also believe it translates to machines also. If you are proficient with the rotary, that does not mean it has to be used all the time. Just my 0.02 cents worth.

Never even thought of that way. Thanks.
Glad to see the "pros" chiming in.

[yalerd]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

It's not something about the tool in my mind.
Yes tools do come in handy, they make the difference on a certain job but if you are delivering the results your clients are expecting with the DA then that's fine.

Maybe you don't have big long hour projects but hey you are still a "pro", you have the knowledge it takes to tackle the job, you have the dedication and experience to deliver the results.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

I agree with a lot of the others above.

I do think you can do a car without it and still be a pro, but when serious correction calls, the rotary answers.

[RaskyR1]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

I've seen detailers on other forums who knock others for not using a rotary. It was actually on a similar type of thread, and the guys told someone they were simply not as skilled as him because he chose to finish with a DA instead of a rotary.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

Hmmm... I answered yes, but on second thought, no, it's not necessary. To me, if you do this for a living and get paid, you are a Professional. Now, it's not necessary to use the rotary on details and on most cars probably for your daily drivers as Mike pointed out the DA will do just fine. Having said that, I would think that if this is your lively hood, you would want to become as efficient as you possibly can, thus the rotary when in experienced hands will do the job faster, allowing you to be more productive???

I can see two sides to this, just thinking out loud.

Tom

[integritydetail]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

I put yes because I think you should be able to use one when the need arises, however most of my work involves a one step or AIO because ppl wont pay for perfection, so I don't use it on every car.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

I put yes because I think you should be able to use one when the need arises, however most of my work involves a one step or AIO because ppl wont pay for perfection, so I don't use it on every car.

So should one look down on a carpenter that still uses a hammer instead of a nail gun even though it would get the job done faster?

Sometimes faster is not better. I've done this for 3.5 years now and I can count on both hands how many times I've used the rotary for work instead of practice.

The best tools can make a crappy detailer good. I know of many here that can take the G110 and ColorX and walk circles around pros at so called detail shops.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Have to use the rotary to be a pro?

So should one look down on a carpenter that still uses a hammer instead of a nail gun even though it would get the job done faster?

Sometimes faster is not better. I've done this for 3.5 years now and I can count on both hands how many times I've used the rotary for work instead of practice.

The best tools can make a crappy detailer good. I know of many here that can take the G110 and ColorX and walk circles around pros at so called detail shops.

Maybe using the word faster was not the best choice of words, rather more efficient. I know they both have their places, if I am doing compounding or medium correction work, I will use a rotary due to the correction ability it has and the results, but I will also follow it up with the Flex. I myself don't try to finish down with a rotary, especially on softer paints.