Why should I buy a rotary buffer Hitachi SP18VA

[MDRX8]

I want the best finish on my Red RX8. I have a DA buffer. Should I upgrade to a Hitachi SP18VA rotary buffer. My paint is in great condition and I would only use the 7.5" Finishing pads. Will the rotary give me better results? Looking for expert opinions. THANKS

[Danase]

Originally Posted by MDRX8

I want the best finish on my Red RX8. I have a DA buffer. Should I upgrade to a Hitachi SP18VA rotary buffer. My paint is in great condition and I would only use the 7.5" Finishing pads. Will the rotary give me better results? Looking for expert opinions. THANKS

Honestly, if you are not very very experienced with a rotary it will give you worse results. If the paint is in great condistion you should not need anything like a rotary.

[02ZTSfocus]

The risks of a rotary in the hands of an untrained/unskilled user greatly outweigh the potential benefits. A rotary is generally the go to tool for serious corrections. Using a rotary on a new or like new finish is like cutting a stick of butter with a meat cleaver.

[audicoupej]

I only made the jump from the PC to the Hitachi because my VW clear was not correcting as I want it too. I also needed it for customers cars, like the C5 vette I did a few weeks back. The PC wouldn't have touched that! If you are only using it for yourself on your personal car I don't think you need it. It does take practice and much more care when using it. I also bought it becasue it was $112 shipped from CA to VA.

[CleanGSR]

On this subject.....are there any videos that walk you through using a rotary.....like a pretty extensive video, or places to get trained using one?

[TigerMike]

Originally Posted by 02ZTSfocus

Using a rotary on a new or like new finish is like cutting a stick of butter with a meat cleaver.

More like using a chain saw on that butter!


Seriously, if your paint is in great condition, you have zero need for a rotary. The DA will be all that you should ever require, if you're just doing your own car.

If you have a need to correct serious paint flaws and defect, start looking at a rotary. For your situation, a rotary would be a complete waste of $.

Regards,

Mike

[Zackb911]

If you are a patient person willing to take the time to learn go for it. There are many that never bothered with a PC and went straight to the rotary. It can be quick and efficient if you use it right. I have the Hitachi and PC...

[MDRX8]

Thanks for the replys. Think I will just stick with the PC DA .... If you want a good price on a rotary check out

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hitachi-SP18VA-7...QQcmdZViewItem

[BigJimZ28]

Originally Posted by CleanGSR

On this subject.....are there any videos that walk you through using a rotary.....like a pretty extensive video, or places to get trained using one?

show car garage has one comming out soon
I have the one they did for the pc and it was very good

[CleanGSR]

Thanks. I'll be watching for that.

[wannafbody]

the only reason for using a rotary is for etching and extremely hard clears. IMO you don't need it.

[BMWWW]

Originally Posted by wannafbody

the only reason for using a rotary is for etching and extremely hard clears. IMO you don't need it.

But for those that do this on a regular basis, or for "friends", a rotary is simply a GOD in saving you time.

I used to have my DA polishing down to ~3-4 hours on a somewhat neglected car; following a pro for ONE day, changed my perspective in it's entirety. Man, work can be done much more efficiently, and major correction takes significantly less time. (More than 50% for me)

There's a lot to learn for a rotary, but damn, if you want to save time, and you've reached the limits of a DA, grab a junk panel, and practice, practice, practice-- that's what I plan on doing in the off season this winter!