How long does it take you just to polish?

[Airborne Ranger]

Lately I've been giving serious thought into buying a Makita rotary. I want to invest into one for 2 reasons: Speed and results. If I was giving a car the DACP treatment, polishing pad on speed 5 with my PC, it would take me about 4 hours to do, just to polish!! c'mon people! I don't like spending half a saturday just DACP a car.

Usually when it is done, I'm sweatin like a hog and my results are only marginally better. Hence the reasons why I want a rotary and save the PC just for waxing or such. My main question is, say your using DACP on a car with the W-8006 pad at about 1500 RPM on the rotary. How long will it take you just to polish?? Thanks,,,,,,AR

[SprintKing]

well on a sedan i would take about 1 hour on average per layer - there are some on here that are much faster and efficient than me though

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

When using a rotary, I can usually complete each coat in under an hour. However, one must be aware that while buffing time may be reduced, preparation as well as clean-up usually takes longer when using a rotary, IMHO. In the end, the time difference is not that substantial.

I use the rotary because of the finish obtainable with it. I just love the level of depth and gloss it can give to the paint!

Here is an example of how thorough I cover everything before using the rotary. I admitt, this is a little extreme. But it is surprising where you can find sling! And, even though I have used a rotary for over 15 years, I still get sling no matter how hard I try to avoid it.



Tim

[Superior Shine]

Last night I polished a Ford Lighting. I stopped at 8.5 hour but could easily have used another 2-3.

[Marc08EX]

I also want to do the same but keep in mind that it's not an easy tool to deal with.. It requires a lot of experience and a small error would have big effects...

[Airborne Ranger]

Thanks guys for chiming in.

Wow 2hotford you really go the extra mile when you mask off, that's nicely done. I realize your truck is green but in that pic it almost looks like it's black, nice job!

I've been using my PC for a couple years now and I see that it does make polishing and waxing easier and spreading out product more efficiency, but I would like to step up in speed and results. I'm not the kind of guy who likes to dedicate his whole saturday just polishing his truck. I wanna be out there riding my bike or something.

Bri, I am well aware that the rotary can be a very dangerous tool to use if misused and I accept that. I have a vehicle I work on it with. 94 Grand Caravan with 167K miles. Still running strong but the paint is pretty much gone and if I do burn a spot into it, it won't be that big of a deal. So I was thinking just use that as a practice vehicle. Thanks,,,,,,,,AR

[cheapthrills]

If you are just learing to use the rotary, you may want to step down on the polish, maybe start with #80 or #82. I would think what ever product you use with pc would be more aggressive with rotary. I'm also looking to buy a rotary and start the burning process, I mean learning process.


The first thing I may try with the rotary is to burn the paint, if you know what it takes to burn or do any damage, then you get a better feel and know better what to avoid. Does this make sense? Kind of like testing the water before you jump in.

[Desertdawg]

I agree with trying to burn the paint to see just how far you can go with it. But go to a junk yard and buy a cheap hood or fender to play with.
You really don't want to expermint with your ride.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

It is somewhat easy to burn the paint if you are not careful. Here is a link to Meguiar's NXT Tech Institute that was held a couple of months ago. About halfway down the first page, Mike Pennington of Meguiar's demos how to burn the paint with a rotary.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2802

It takes practice to use a rotary. So I agree with the comments to find a junked hood from an auto-wrecker to practice on first. But once you get used to using the rotary, you will LOVE it!!!

Tim

[cheapthrills]

I plan on using a scrap hood to learn using the rotary, I was afraid to take the PC to finish never mind a rotary.

What are some good products and speeds to learn with?

I was thinking #80, #82 and speeds between 13-1500, does this seem relatively safe and effective? I really have no idea, The rotary seem like it's going to be a real to learn. I wish I could meet up with Rod in Jersey sometime for a quick leason or two. I think this would give me a big advantage, over me just trying to wing it.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Since you are just starting out with a rotary, I would suggest trying the #82 SFP or #83 DACP on your test panel. Meg's #80 tends to break down a little quickly making it more difficult to control with a rotary. Keep the speed to around 1300 RPM for now.

Keep us posted!!

Tim

[cheapthrills]

2hotford, I'm looking to pick one up in the next 4-5 months. Being that winter is here, it would bother me if I had to stare at it without being able to use it. Thanks for the tips, I am really looking forward to learning how to use the rotary.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Do not let winter stop you!! Last year, I was buffing in Feb. at
-14 degrees C!!! I had to wipe the frost from each panel before I could buff the section!!! LOL!

Tim

[cheapthrills]

I was actually thinking about setting up in the garage. My plan was to strap down a hood (preferable a darker color) to two horses, and go to town. But my garage is not heated, and very crowded with storage. I plan on cleaning it out over winter and when the weather starts to warm up (April or may) I'll have it out with the rotary, or is it suppose to be my friend?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Become one with the rotary!!!

Seriously, if your garage is insulated, buy a ceramic heater and use it while you are in the garage. That way you can practice during the winter. Come Spring, you will be ready to go!!!

Tim