Rotary verses dual action?

[stinger66]

My buddy has a makita rotary buffer & says with the same exact process & products he can get a lot more shine than a dual action machine. Now I am talking about a new car with no paint defects.

What is the truth? Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Rotary verses dual action?

Originally posted by stinger66
My buddy has a Makita rotary buffer & says with the same exact process & products he can get a lot more shine than a dual action machine. Now I am talking about a new car with no paint defects.

What is the truth? Thanks

He is correct. A the direct drive polishing action of a rotary buffer will create a smoother, glossier surface than a dual action polisher, but it will also have the potential to instill buffer swirl into the finish.

Two very different tools, each has a purpose.

Read through these two threads in the Hot Topics forum...

Need HELP! - How to avoid holograms?

How to avoid swirls and holograms?

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Re: Rotary verses dual action?

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
He is correct. A the direct drive polishing action of a rotary buffer will create a smoother, glossier surface than a dual action polisher, but it will also have the potential to instill buffer swirl into the finish.

Two very different tools, each has a purpose.

Read through these two threads in the Hot Topics forum...

Need HELP! - How to avoid holograms?

How to avoid swirls and holograms?

Hey,

I totally agree.

The rotary buffer can create a more "liquid look" to the paint. But as Mike said, there is also a potential to do damage with the rotary. However, I love my rotary(s) and what it can do!!

Tim

[Buellwinkle]

Not only that but the rotary can do the job in half the time. My only downside with the rotory is splatter. As careful as you can be, there will be points where it splatters and getting dried on polish off rubber and convertible tops can be a pain. Some use concave pads to mitigate this, never tried that myself.

[travisdecpn]

User fatigue is another issue, you can use the pc for hours without too much fatigue. An hour or 2 with the rotary and you feel like you're carrying around an anvil. I only use the rotary when it is absolutely necessary, which isn't too often.

[the other pc]

Originally posted by Buellwinkle
.... My only downside with the rotory is splatter. As careful as you can be, there will be points where it splatters and getting dried on polish off rubber and convertible tops can be a pain. Some use concave pads to mitigate this, never tried that myself.

Meguiar's advocates flat pads for best surface finish. With the right technique an experienced craftsman can use a rotary with little or no splatter. It takes a lot of practice.

I've seen such experts in action but I can't do it myself yet. I mask off and use a lot of towels and drop cloths draped over anything I don't want splattered (especially my canvas tonneau!).


PC.