My First Rotary Experience!

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

But as Han Solo said to Luke Skywalker after he shot down his first TIE Fighter from the Millenium Falcon - "Don't get cocky, kid!" Yes, Luke turned out all right in the end, and you may become a Jedi buffer yourself, but even Luke had some ups and downs along the way. You know, losing that hand and all.

On a personal note: geez, did I really just make a huge Star Wars reference?? I have NO idea where that came from.

Now you are speaking my language. I just hope that I don't lose a hand in the pursuit of a swirl free shine.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Yes, that does look pretty darn severe and there is no doubt that it would have taken a good bit of time to correct had you worked in a more methodical manner.

You mentioned that you used the wool pad that came with the machine - definitely an unknown quantity and most likely a large part of the reason you got the horrible holograms you described. Running that buffer in hyper drive also contributed mightily to that outcome. That's all fine and well as you're still learning, even though you have the somewhat odd opportunity to learn on a vehicle that someone you care about still uses on a regular basis.

But there are varying degrees of "a less aggressive approach". Obviously that would include using a D/A with a polishing pad and M80, though from the looks of things that would have been an exercise in futility. But using the same M105 and the same pad, but at a (much) slower speed and with a more methodical approach is also less aggressive. With a better pad such as Meguiar's W5000 Double Sided Wool you would likely have gotten more cut with a lower speed - overall a safer approach too! - and very likely would have had fewer holograms in the process.

We can certainly understand though, given that you had the machine in hand, how anxious you were to jump in and give the rotary a shot. It really is amazing how much more quickly you can learn when working side by side with an expert, and we understand that not everyone has that opportunity. But slowing down a bit and taking more time to finesse things with the rotary should be high on your list of "things to do with a rotary buffer", not just speeding through to see how fast you can cut the really nasty stuff.

[sanddrag]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Definitely ditch the pad that came with the machine. I'm surprised you were able to work with all the vibration from the tie-strings on it. You'll be amazed how much better a real wool pad works.

[Eddie6th]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

I think you were trying to achieve too much,too quickly because you were eager to try the machine....which is natural. Slow down and think before you start.
Get an old panel to play on before doing anymore work on your parents car. It's okay saying they're not bothered or whatever,but don't you think they'd be really happy if it looks like new again,even if some of those bad scratches can't be fixed?

Keep practicing and post up more pics

[sontakke]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

I would like to see after pictures.

- Vikas

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

I would like to see after pictures.

- Vikas

Sorry, I intended to post some today but it was too cloudy. I don't have a dual xenon yet, I should soon.

I will try to post pictures tomorrow.

[sontakke]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Do you have 50/50 pictures of any panels or you did the full panels?

- Vikas

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Do you have 50/50 pictures of any panels or you did the full panels?

- Vikas

I have intentionally left them 50/50 to showcase my work. I taped the hood and trunk down the middle and only corrected one side.

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Here are the afters:

[Eddie6th]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

That's really good Calais. Is this the Satun? If that is the same areas as the befores then you did really well to clean up those scratches.

You achieved that with the pad that came with the machine and M105,if i remember...Nice..

[sontakke]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Wow, that is a great job! My vehicles are in much better shape but I am only able to do very minimal correction. I could not remove deeper scratches.

Let me ask you this. Did you use the wool bonnet straight on the backing plate or over the foam pad?

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

That's really good Calais. Is this the Satun? If that is the same areas as the befores then you did really well to clean up those scratches.

You achieved that with the pad that came with the machine and M105,if i remember...Nice..

That is the Saturn and it is the same area that had horrendous RIDS if you look back a page or two.

I did it with the wool bonnet from the machine, DA with 2.0 polishing pad and 2.0 finishing pad. The wool pad took care of all the really nasty stuff.

[Calais]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Let me ask you this. Did you use the wool bonnet straight on the backing plate or over the foam pad?

I used the wool bonnet over the foam pad and followed it up with yellow and black 2.0 pads. I definitely did the trick. I will probably test this method again on my parents' Volvo next.

[the_invisible]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

Pretty good results, I must say. But I also find M105 to be quite forgiving to work with, consdiering the amount of cut it offers. Just my opinion.

I think you should have started with some of the less aggressive wool pads, there are many types out there. Each cost at an average of $10 a piece, even the Meguiar's Solo one.

The wool pad that comes with your Harbor Freight is actually a good pad to wrap a microfiber bonnet over for LSP removal.

You must be pretty excited to proceed to the entire car!

[sontakke]

Re: My First Rotary Experience!

I used the wool bonnet over the foam pad and followed it up with yellow and black 2.0 pads. I definitely did the trick. I will probably test this method again on my parents' Volvo next.

That is interesting. I need to study your technique carefully as I was not able to get as much paint correction as you have been able to. I was lot more scared to go full speed than you were! The M105 I have is the first generation and I was using it sparingly. How much priming did you do with the wool bonnet? I only put a bid on the paint and tried to pick it by the buffer.

Go easy on that Volvo!

- Vikas