Making The Jump

[JpTheWayToBe]

i just purchased a rotary buffer (makita), and i have a few questions.

first off, i have alot of experience with a DA polisher, i keep my family's 8 cars looking great despite them being daily drivers.

My plan is to guy some scrap fenders with orange peel/swirls to practice wet sanding and rotary buffing. i have read many guides on how to do it and im really excited to get started but i want to make sure i am buying the right products since switching to a rotary can be expensive.

2 guides i read stressed the importance of having a PTG on hand to determine what cut i am able to use without strike through, but my mechanic and long time car detailer says its not THAT neccesary. I have no objections to purchasing one, the more information i have about what i am working with the better IMHO, but if it is neccesary i would love some recommendations on a good priced unit.

i have not been able to figure out what the acronym RDS means, so if anyone could clear that up that would be great.

I am also incredibly interested in wet sanding as well, i have zero experience but have gathered enough info to know that i need alot of auto body tape, 1k-2.5k grit sand paper and lubricant to start. If anyone could link to a few guides on how to wet sand properly i would appreciate it.

lastly, i know i am posting in a Meguiar's forum, but if i could get a middle of the road product list for using a rotary that would be helpful, while using a DA i purchased damn near everything on the shelf and gave it a shot to see the result since it would be difficult to damage the paint. I am looking to make an online order for everything i need and i do not want to waste a ton of time buying different products and waiting for them to ship to to my house.

also, thank you for everyone for posting guides as well as your documentations with using a rotary even if they were not successful, they have helped me learn even though i have not laid hands on my rotary yet

also, links to guides/help with rotary/wetsanding would be appreciated, even if i have read them before.

cheers,
Pauly

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Making The Jump

I got a solid lesson this past weekend and I can pass this along.

1) Use body lines for boarders. FOR MOST who are practicing, its def worth while to tape a section and remove it to see the difference and know what pad/product would work best.

2) Working a section, even and fluid motions from the windsheild to the nose, I useually put dabs every 10-12 inches and pick up the polish as I move up and down.

3) Tape is your friend

4) Make sure to get wax/polish/sealants out of cracks and gaps. Use the edge of a terry cloth or MF towel

5) Keep the buffer moving. On the Makita I used I set it ONE (1) click under #2.

[AMM518]

Re: Making The Jump

RDS = Random Deep Scratches

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Making The Jump

Also before I forget. I rest the pad on the surface. Expecting to use my left hand the lead. The Right hand which is on back end working the trigger.

The one big point my bro made was to twist my right hand it ever so slightly, like turning a throttle on a bike to let the pad lead. If it rest flatly, the rotary will grab the car.