Thoughts on first time rotary usage

reggie11 · 04-15-08, 10:34

I am back again with another couple of questions before I go ahead with my first polish. I have decide to use my friends Makita (no higher then 1000-1200 rpm) rather then buy a PC or UDM. I plan on watching some videos and reading up a ton before I do it. He is also going to show me some pointers before I go ahead with my polish. My questions are below.

I have mild to moderate swirling so I was thinking of using an orange pad. Would using a white pad reduce the risk of me causing any damage?

If I use an orange pad do I have to follow that up with a white or green pad with a finishing polish? I have a feeling it depends on what type of polish I start with.

Do any of you have a recommendation on a polish for a first time user? I looked at some other threads and found people recommended 1Z, Danase, and Meguiars #80. Are there partilcular polishes that are safer to use for beginners?

I appreciate all the help!

weekendwarrior · 04-15-08, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by reggie11

I am back again with another couple of questions before I go ahead with my first polish. I have decide to use my friends Makita (no higher then 1000-1200 rpm) rather then buy a PC or UDM. I plan on watching some videos and reading up a ton before I do it. He is also going to show me some pointers before I go ahead with my polish. My questions are below.

I have mild to moderate swirling so I was thinking of using an orange pad. Would using a white pad reduce the risk of me causing any damage?

If I use an orange pad do I have to follow that up with a white or green pad with a finishing polish? I have a feeling it depends on what type of polish I start with.

Do any of you have a recommendation on a polish for a first time user? I looked at some other threads and found people recommended 1Z, Danase, and Meguiars #80. Are there partilcular polishes that are safer to use for beginners?

I appreciate all the help!

Yes, a white pad would reduce the risk of damage, simply because it is a softer pad. If you are a beginner, you will probably find the white pad to be easier to control. The orange pad has been known to hop around due to its stiffness.

Regarding following the orange pad up with something else...Most likely yes, but it depends on technique, the paint, and product selection. Remember, start out with the least aggressive method first, and work your way up. The least aggressive method IS NOT an orange pad.

Regarding product selection. You will get a ton of recommendations. I prefer the Meguiar's and 1Z polishes for starting out.

SuperBee364 · 04-15-08, 10:58

For your first time, I would really recommend using a light polishing wool pad. A green or blue edge wool pad for correction, and an edge white finishing wool pad for the finishing polish. Wool stays *much* cooler than foam does. You have much less risk of damaging the clear coat, trim, or plastic bumpers with wool than foam. A foam pad will *instantly* damage any trim it comes in contact with, and can burn through the clear on plastic bumpers *fast*. And there is no warning before it happens. Wool pads are a new guys best friend, as long as you use the correct type of wool for what you're doing.

reggie11 · 04-15-08, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBee364

For your first time, I would really recommend using a light polishing wool pad. A green or blue edge wool pad for correction, and an edge white finishing wool pad for the finishing polish. Wool stays *much* cooler than foam does. You have much less risk of damaging the clear coat, trim, or plastic bumpers with wool than foam. A foam pad will *instantly* damage any trim it comes in contact with, and can burn through the clear on plastic bumpers *fast*. And there is no warning before it happens. Wool pads are a new guys best friend, as long as you use the correct type of wool for what you're doing.

I was under the impression that wool pads were more aggressive so that helps a ton. Do you recommend any particular place to get them? I see foam pads for sale most of the time....

SuperBee364 · 04-15-08, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by reggie11

I was under the impression that wool pads were more aggressive so that helps a ton. Do you recommend any particular place to get them? I see foam pads for sale most of the time....

Most people are under that impression, and it is true that the most aggressive pad you can get is made out of wool. However, wool is like foam in that it comes in many different levels of aggression. As long as you are using the level of aggressiveness that's correct for what you're currently doing, a wool pad is generally safer to use with a higher margin of error than foam.

I would recommend getting an Edge 2000 adaptor, and six inch wool pads from Autogeek. You'll have to call them to order the six inch white finishing wool, as it's not available to order from their website. Also get a green and a blue Edge wool pad. These are very mild pads, but still have the ability to do some good correction. *Don't* get the yellow or black wool. They are *serious* correcting pads. As you get more experience, try getting an LC purple foamed wool pad for even more correcting fun. Just don't get one right now; they don't have quite the margin of error as the thick edge wool pads do.

Accumulator · 04-15-08, 03:53

Reggie11- No matter how you do the real correction, I'd sure plan on doing a final finishing step (with a finishing pad and a finishing polish) lest you end up with holograms.

And yeah, you do need to be sorta careful with orange foam pads on the rotary and I never finish out very well with 'em.

Carbon Blue · 04-15-08, 03:57

Hey superbee Ive got a question for you, when using the makita 9227 on plastic bumpers and such do you keep the same speed as if you were polishing metal panels (1300-1500)? Do you have to move the rotary faster and make more passes at slower speeds (1000-1200)?

netspec · 04-15-08, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBee364

For your first time, I would really recommend using a light polishing wool pad. A green or blue edge wool pad for correction, and an edge white finishing wool pad for the finishing polish. Wool stays *much* cooler than foam does. You have much less risk of damaging the clear coat, trim, or plastic bumpers with wool than foam. A foam pad will *instantly* damage any trim it comes in contact with, and can burn through the clear on plastic bumpers *fast*. And there is no warning before it happens. Wool pads are a new guys best friend, as long as you use the correct type of wool for what you're doing.

SuperBee364,
Edge has a white wool pad? Is this a special order item from Edge or a vendor?

Denzil · 04-15-08, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by netspec

SuperBee364,
Edge has a white wool pad? Is this a special order item from Edge or a vendor?

I think AG has them.

SuperBee364 · 04-15-08, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon Blue

Hey superbee Ive got a question for you, when using the makita 9227 on plastic bumpers and such do you keep the same speed as if you were polishing metal panels (1300-1500)? Do you have to move the rotary faster and make more passes at slower speeds (1000-1200)?

If i'm using foam, I slow the rotation down to the min that I can and still get acceptable results. I also move the head faster when I'm working a bumper.

SuperBee364 · 04-15-08, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by netspec

SuperBee364,
Edge has a white wool pad? Is this a special order item from Edge or a vendor?

The white Edge finishing wool is available from autogeek's website in the eight inch size. To get the six incher, you have to call them and ask for it.

netspec · 04-15-08, 07:52

Thanks for the reply, Super Bee!