Wool Bonnets & Rotary

[Ken_Allen]

I bought the Chicago rotary buffer tonight for $25 and it's fine for me for a beginner rotary. All they had in stock was the 2 speed one, but it's fine since these machines don't make enough torque to throw the real RPM's when weight is applied. I spread the product by hand then go over it at low speed (2700rpm, guessing it spins at 1800rpm when 15lbs of pressure is applied).

Unfortunately, it only came with 2 cotton bonnets, so that's all I used.

Can I use these for working product in and removing swirls? I did see some heavy improvement in swirls after one pass of ScratchX though.

Oh and I put quick detailer on the pad to "lubricate" it while on the paint.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

I'm not very familiar with the Chicago brand buffer, but 2700rpm's? Even 1800prm's is pushing it way beyond what you need to be using.

I'm no expert on rotary buffers, but I've helped a couple of people learn how to use one. I have found that, to get more comfortable with the machine the first few of times, the 1000rpm mark seems to be best. And I never travel beyone the 1400-1500rpm mark when I'm working on any vehicle.

My $0.02, and I don't know the machine you bought, you need to start out with something a little less aggressive. Something with a little less RPM's. You'll be more comfortable, and less of a chance to do any damage.

Nick

[Ken_Allen]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

I'm not very familiar with the Chicago brand buffer, but 2700rpm's? Even 1800prm's is pushing it way beyond what you need to be using.

I'm no expert on rotary buffers, but I've helped a couple of people learn how to use one. I have found that, to get more comfortable with the machine the first few of times, the 1000rpm mark seems to be best. And I never travel beyone the 1400-1500rpm mark when I'm working on any vehicle.

My $0.02, and I don't know the machine you bought, you need to start out with something a little less aggressive. Something with a little less RPM's. You'll be more comfortable, and less of a chance to do any damage.

Nick

I doubt when pressure is applied, it doesn't spin more than 800-1000rpm. The chicago electrics have no torque at all. High would probably spin at 1500-1800rpm>

I still need an answer on the wool bonnets

[yalerd]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

ScratchX is not formulated to be used with a Rotary Buffer.
You'll need something more aggressive from the Pro Line that's formulated to be used with Rotary buffers and wool pad.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

If you look at the major pad manufacturers, you will see that none of them make a bonnet for a rotary. Why? The standard hook and loop velcro system is very easy to use. When it comes time to change a pad, it's painless.

Sure, you can try these bonnets at your own risk. Most, if not all rotary users use the hook and loop system.

The bonnets are cheap to produce, so they help cut costs on budget machines.


You really need to find out what speed the rotary is operating at. Yes, most rotaries operate at a slower speed than what the dial. In order to avoid swirls, heat, and all the other horrible things that can happen if the rotary spins too fast, you need to have it checked.

[TH0001]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

I wouldn't use the bonnets that came with the buffer...

Also, don't be afraid of RPM's. I usually compound around 2000 rpm (with a wool) and polish around 1700 RPM.

[Ken_Allen]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

When I lay the product out and put the buffer on it, it magically disappears :P

I like trigger it for the buffer to spin slower, but it still doesn't like saturate it enough.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

Unfortunately, it only came with 2 cotton bonnets

Hi Ken,

Just to be sure because rotary buffers use Wool and Foam Pads and orbital buffers use Wool, Microfiber and Cotton Bonnets,and you stated cotton bonnets in your original post.


Which pictures look closest to the tool you bought,

Something like these?

WEN Orbital Polisher


Vector Orbital Polisher





Or something like these,

The Hitachi Rotary Buffer with the Hoop Style Handle


The DeWalt 849 Rotary Buffer with the Stick Style Handle



Just want to clarify because these tools are as different as night is from day.

[Ken_Allen]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

Mike, it looks like the dewalt

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

Mike, it looks like the dewalt

Thanks for clarifying, we picked up on the words cotton bonnets... can't tell you how many times we've discussed a tool on this forum only to find out we're all talking about different tools because some people confuse the words that accurately describe a tool, thus one of the reasons we started this thread.


Chances are good this tool has a 5/8" spindle, (hopefully), and if that's the case you'll want to invest in a backing plate and some foam pads.

Last time we were at Harbor Freight we think we saw some cheapie backing plates, so Meguiar's offers a quality backing plate for both our large and small size pads, but there are others out there too.

You really need to get a backing plate with Velcro on one side for this RB and then a collection of foam buffing pads if you want to get serious about using a machine to work on you car's paint.

[yalerd]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

Take into consideration what Mike says also If you have something that looks like the DeWalt then I suggest changing the product, don't use ScratchX, get some products from the Pro Line

[Ken_Allen]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

Got some #80 and after 3 passes, not a swirl to be found! Only deep scratches left since it's an 88.



I'm going to get some 105 for my trunk though. It's REALLY swirly.

[yalerd]

Re: Wool Bonnets & Rotary

#105 it's a GREAT product! I've used it and WOW! you'll see the results