DA machine moved speed VS Rotary

[xantonin]

So at the clinic in AZ here I had the chance to use a rotary for the first time ever. I really want one now.

One thing I noticed was that everyone else seems to be moving the machine rather quickly. I don't know if this was because it was only a quick training session or what, but I move much slower.


My question is how fast should one be moving the DA across a panel, and how fast should a rotary move across?

Seemed most people were doing 2 inches a second.. I was doing about like half an inch a second...

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: DA machine moved speed VS Rotary

You move the rotary quickly because of it's direct rotation. Direct rotation builds up heat much quicker that an oscillating DA because the RPM's are generally double or triple the RPM's of a DA. For polishing, a rotary will generally spin between 900 to 1800 RPM, while most DA's will max out at 600 RPM. The DA has a higher rate of OPM's (oscillations per minute) but OPM's are not nearly as heat generating.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: DA machine moved speed VS Rotary

How fast either tool should be moved over the paint is going to vary a bit depending on what liquid and pad you're using, how severe the defects, and how the paint responds. As John mentions, the rotary puts a lot more heat into the paint than a D/A will, so you don't want to dwell in one area with a rotary like you can with a D/A. Then again, the extra power of the rotary means you don't really have to do that like you might have to with a D/A.

But moving the rotary too quickly over the paint, especially with an aggressive pad or with the pad tilted up on edge a bit, will inflict holograms in the paint.