Just Used my Makita for the 1st time have questions

[jw]

I just used my Makita rotary for the first time on Nissan Frontier truck. I wasn't really worried about getting all of the defects out because this car sits out all day and night. I really just wanted to get a feel for the machine. I started out with SIP on a white ccs pad. I really had a problem with the product Slinging everywhere. Does this mean I was using too much product. My process was spray a little water on the pad and then put 3 dots on the pad. I spread the product on 1 and then went up in between 900 and 1100 rpm. I alsp really had a tough time removing the product. I was even spraying it with 50/50 alcohol. That still left some scratches so I went to SIP on a PFW. This worked well but the pad got so caked up after 2 uses I went to something else. I have the cleaning spur but I don't really see how it works. I also tried some megs 105 on an orange pad. This worked well except I did notice some holagrams, but I was running out of time so I just did the rest of the truck with a white pad and 106ff. It still left some swirling but the paint looked really wet. I really like the machine, my main questions are as follows.

1. Are holograms to be expected with SIP and 105?
2. How do I avoid sling?
3. Can you follow up 105 with 106ff or do you need to use SIP in between
4. How do you get the backing plate off(I know this is stupid)
5. Is there an easier way to wipe the product off?
6. Do you usually have to do areas more than once to get all swirls and light scratches?
I know this is long, thanks for your help.

[bert31]

I just used my Makita rotary for the first time on Nissan Frontier truck. I wasn't really worried about getting all of the defects out because this car sits out all day and night. I really just wanted to get a feel for the machine. I started out with SIP on a white ccs pad. I really had a problem with the product Slinging everywhere. Does this mean I was using too much product. My process was spray a little water on the pad and then put 3 dots on the pad. I spread the product on 1 and then went up in between 900 and 1100 rpm..

Slinging can happen for a variety of reasons, too much product, too fast of speed, not keeping the pad flat to the surface of the panel, etc.. Your speed sounds fine and 3 dots does not sound like too much (unless those are some huge dots) so it sounds like you may need to practice you technique a little more to get rid of sling. I get sling every once in a while if I lose my concentration.

I alsp really had a tough time removing the product. I was even spraying it with 50/50 alcohol..

My guess is you worked it in too long and it dried up.

That still left some scratches so I went to SIP on a PFW. This worked well but the pad got so caked up after 2 uses I went to something else. I have the cleaning spur but I don't really see how it works. .

You basically apply the spur to the pad and the spinning wheels turns due to the rotation of the pad. As the spurs work their way into the pad, old polish should spray out. Give it a try.

I also tried some megs 105 on an orange pad. This worked well except I did notice some holagrams, but I was running out of time so I just did the rest of the truck with a white pad and 106ff. It still left some swirling but the paint looked really wet. I really like the machine, my main questions are as follows.

1. Are holograms to be expected with SIP and 105?.

Those are both compounds so some holograms may come up, especially for the inexperienced user.

2. How do I avoid sling?.

As I said above, your speed and amount of product sound OK, just keep the pad flat to the panel and keep practicing.

3. Can you follow up 105 with 106ff or do you need to use SIP in between.

On soft paint, yes you generally can go from 105 to 106ff. On hard paint, maybe.

4. How do you get the backing plate off(I know this is stupid).

Hold the polisher so that the pad is facing away from you. At the top of the polisher, to the right a little, there is a black button. Push this button in and slowly spin the backing plate with your hand. This will cause it to lock and you can then twist off the backing plate.

5. Is there an easier way to wipe the product off?.

So long as you haven't underworked or over worked the polish (easier said than done) it should wipe off pretty easy. Maybe use a little QD to help.

6. Do you usually have to do areas more than once to get all swirls and light scratches?.

Some marring will be deep enought to require another application. Not uncommon.

I know this is long, thanks for your help.

Keep practicing!

[Anal1]

Congratulations on the Makita. Looks like he covered it all for you rather well. Keep practicing.

[SuperBee364]

Yup, bert31 has your back on this one.

[jw]

Thanks, I'm going to do another car tonight, I'll try some of your suggestions. Thanks

[bert31]

Originally Posted by jw

Thanks, I'm going to do another car tonight, I'll try some of your suggestions. Thanks

During the learning process, try not to get discouraged, it just takes practice. After awhile, you will get to the point where it just comes naturally. Granted, I will admit that I am still working on getting there.

[zaxjax]

bert31 nailed it for you on all of his points.


Keep practicing and have fun, try slow speeds and take your time and relax!