Fist time with the Rotary

DSVWGLI · 10-27-06, 09:01

Well my Hitachi came yesterday so I thought I would give it a go on my 97 pickup. I was going to get a practice panel but I thought if I go slow it should be fine. I started with the hood as it would be a little easier than a side panel. I'm using Lake Country 7.5" curved edge pads. To start I put on the polishing pad and some Optimum Compound spread it at 600 rpms then 1100 rpms to get the feel. It was actually fairly easy to get a feel for. I'm really impressed how smooth the rotary is, no vibration like the PC. So after playing around for a while at those speeds I turned it up to 1500 rpms after spreading it. It was even smoother at that speed, but the polish brakes down much quicker though. I also like how you can tilt the pad to get into tight areas. Then it was time for the cutting pad. I used OC and 1500rpms after spreading it. It was amazing how fast the swirls vanished, but some holograming was visible. So I did one side of the truck with the cutting pad and OC at 1500rpms then finished it with the polishing pad and OP at 1200rpms. It finished IMO much nicer than the PC and absolutely no holograms

. The other side and tailgate got the polishing pad and OP at 1700 rpms then a second aplication at 1200rpms. Wow that was half the work or less than what I'm use to

. Over all a much nicer machine to use, quieter, virtually no vibration and very smooth and it's also nice not having to push on the machine like the PC. Here are some pics, sorry no sun today I'll try to get some better pics tomorrow.

j3ffff · 10-27-06, 10:28

What did you use to get rid of the holograms?

gmblack3a · 10-27-06, 10:28

Looks great and congrats on your first time with the rotary. I have the same one.

If you ever work on anything that needs a "heavier" cut, order some hi temp extreme cut and mix it 50/50. I use it with the white and yellow LC pads.

DSVWGLI · 10-28-06, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by j3ffff

What did you use to get rid of the holograms?

Polishing pad with Optimum polish spread @ 600 rpms then finish @ 1200 rpms slow passes about 3" per second

DSVWGLI · 10-28-06, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Looks great and congrats on your first time with the rotary. I have the same one.

If you ever work on anything that needs a "heavier" cut, order some hi temp extreme cut and mix it 50/50. I use it with the white and yellow LC pads.

Is that better than OHC and if so how?

gmblack3a · 10-28-06, 01:14

I have never used OHC.

The EC/OP combo will remove "stubborn" defects on harder clears and finish down very nice. On lighter colors moderate defects you can usually get away with a 1 step with this combo and a white LC pad. Work it a while to make sure its fully broke down.

fdizzle · 10-28-06, 03:37

congrats on a happy first time . . . hopefully many more to come . . . that polisher is nice isnt it?!! Got a black BMW on monday, will be sure to take pics this time . . . in the sun . .

abbeysdad · 10-28-06, 07:35

Very nice job and your story makes the rotary seem not so scary after all. ALthough white is a bit more forgiving, it's harder to get it to pop and you have a real nice shine.

I've been thinking about getting a rotary to restore a vintage 17' aluminum canoe I have and even tho metal polishing is different, I figure I would get the machine handling down before working on paint.

DSVWGLI · 10-28-06, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

I have never used OHC.

The EC/OP combo will remove "stubborn" defects on harder clears and finish down very nice. On lighter colors moderate defects you can usually get away with a 1 step with this combo and a white LC pad. Work it a while to make sure its fully broke down.

Thanks for the info on that

DSVWGLI · 10-28-06, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdizzle

congrats on a happy first time . . . hopefully many more to come . . . that polisher is nice isnt it?!! Got a black BMW on monday, will be sure to take pics this time . . . in the sun . .

Thanks very much. Yes it's a very nice machine to use, much easier than I thought.

DSVWGLI · 10-28-06, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbeysdad

Very nice job and your story makes the rotary seem not so scary after all. ALthough white is a bit more forgiving, it's harder to get it to pop and you have a real nice shine.

I've been thinking about getting a rotary to restore a vintage 17' aluminum canoe I have and even tho metal polishing is different, I figure I would get the machine handling down before working on paint.

Thank you, I'm going to polish the hood on my black Jetta today not that it needs it but I want to try the finishing pad and see how it will finish out.

Scottwax · 10-28-06, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSVWGLI

Polishing pad with Optimum polish spread @ 600 rpms then finish @ 1200 rpms slow passes about 3" per second

That has been my understanding of a swirl free rotary final polishing. Thanks for confirming it.