How long does it take you just to polish?

[Airborne Ranger]

Don't feel bad guys, The weather here is turning over to old man winter and while temp are still mediocre for detailing, the rain just will not stop!

I've convinced myself that I'm going to save the PC for waxing and light polishing(#9 #81 etc..) and use a rotary for everything else. I have patience but I also have my point of where 4-5 just polishing just doesn't fit my bill.

Something else that concerns me is couple months ago I used #82 on my Mom's Black GP (Grand Prix) Well I sure made it shine but #82 was harder than rocks to remove and when the car was out in the sunlight you could see nothing but swirls, holograms and a shiny car I'm hoping a rotary will make things easier for me in the long run and the end result that's not so scratched up AR

[Buellwinkle]

I've used a rotary for years, the Makita. It usually takes me about an hour to do the whole car, some cars quicker than others. It depends less on size and more on curves. I was amazed at the class that Mike did last weekend for us and the results he got with the Meguiars DA buffer, didn't think it was possible with a DA buffer, doesn't generate the heat a rotary does. But it is considerably slower. I can get the same results with a rotary in half the time with half the product and not have the insane vibration you get with a DA. The downside of course is that a rotary will splatter more but I used a very thick product that splatters less but still splatters, no matter how careful I am. I picked up a PC DA buffer today to do my kid's convertible, it's nightmare to clean the polish splatter off the top and I'm too lazy to mask it off.

As for practice, I don't think it takes practice as much as having someone show you how to do it properly. I've shown 16 year old boys & neighbors how do it, worked with them for a panel or 2 and they finished their cars swirl free. I give them the mildest polish I have with the softest 2" thick 6" diameter pads that's hard to do damage with. I think too many people have damaged their cars with high speed rotary because of the wrong product and wrong pad. I've used 10" wool cutting pads with 3M buffing compound with good results on the right car but I wouldn't give it to a newbie.

[Jimmy Buffit]

I have an intern ("Rookie") working with me this week. With #83/foam/rotary/1000rpm, he has taken about 80 minutes to buff a sedan. He's doing quite well, BTW.

[Airborne Ranger]

That's more like it!! not no 5 hours just polishing, sorry not for me.

Don't get the impression that I want a rotary just for speed, no, the results is more what I'm after,,,,,AR

[Tim Lingor]

Hey AR,

As I said, I can do one coat in around an hour for an average car. But generally, that is only the first step. I usually do the same for another 1-2 steps. So now I am up to 3-4 hours on just the polishing. So as you said, saving time is not the only factor. I personally prefer the quality of the finish obtainable with a rotary! Therefore, whether it be 2 hours or 2 days, I buff until the job is done and I am satisfied with the results!!

Tim

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by Jimmy Buffit
I have an intern ("Rookie") working with me this week. With #83/foam/rotary/1000rpm, he has taken about 80 minutes to buff a sedan. He's doing quite well, BTW.

Jimmy,

Can I be an intern at your shop?

[Jimmy Buffit]

Can I be an intern at your shop?

Yeah, sure! The list is growing everyday...
If you're serious, sometime in January.

Jim

[scrub]

Originally posted by Bri
Jimmy,

Can I be an intern at your shop?

This is a bit off topic but Jimmy is very generous with his time. I live in SC and went back home (Indy) to visit. I PM'd Jimmy about coming up to his shop after seeing one of his posts and the location in this forum. He welcomed me and gave me the grand tour. Thanks again Jimmy.

I would like to stop in again when we come back to visit. Next time maybe you could have a rotary class. Sorry to stray off topic, just wanted to share.

Rick

[Buellwinkle]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Therefore, whether it be 2 hours or 2 days, I buff until the job is done and I am satisfied with the results!!

Tim

If GW Bush was a detailer his motto would be "leave no swirl behind".