Old School Machine Polisher.

porterror · 02-07-05, 11:19

Well. I told my dad the other day I was thinking about buying a PC, he said "WHAT!" I already have a kick as Machine Polisher I used to use on my car. Out of no where he busted out this very heavy machine polisher, that sounded and looked very High RPM. I've never used a machine polisher before, but i'd be afraid to put something on my paint that spun that high rate. Is this okay to use on my car? this device has to be from the 80's. Has machine polishers changed much? and what is the RPM range on the different settings for PC?

Accumulator · 02-07-05, 11:39

porterror- More details please

Does it have two 4" heads by any chance? That would be a Cyclo, my favorite polisher.

Some "old school" polishers like the Cyclo (my older one is from the early/mid '80s) are great, other old polishers are junk. Heh heh, sorta like "old cars".

The PC generally goes from under 1,000 orbits-per-minute to around 6,000 opms, IIRC. You can't really compare this speed to every other polisher though as there's more involved than just the (unloaded) speed. The Cyclo is rated at a far lower speed than the PC at "6", for instance, but it sure *acts* like it's moving a lot faster.

porterror · 02-07-05, 11:42

i'll take pics this weekend

Accumulator · 02-07-05, 11:45

Shiny Lil Detlr · 02-07-05, 12:15

my bet would be that it is a rotary. Just tell your dad that a PC is worth the investment if you're going to use it often. But if it's a cyclo, that's cool too.

Eliot Ness · 02-07-05, 01:17

Quote:

Originally posted by porterror
i'll take pics this weekend

If itâ€™s a Cyclo it will be easy to identify, here is a picture of one:

http://www.topoftheline.com/tolae/cyclo-polisher.html

If thatâ€™s not it, it would help if you can locate a manufacturer and model #.

JohnnyDaJackal · 02-07-05, 01:40

Sounds like a rotary to me. I also have an "old school" rotary from my grandfather. It probably isn't the best, but ok to pratice with. My advice is to get the PC, it is very safe to use, and if you still have problems removing defects/or want to advance, than start praticing with the rotary on scrap panels, or older cars.

detailedcars · 02-07-05, 02:09

Since there is somewhat of a debate on polishers, I was wondering if the PC guys would state why their polisher is the best, and for the Cyclo guys to do the same.

porterror · 02-07-05, 02:10

my only problem is , i have a small car and doesn't take me long to do, and it has a ton of corners plus small spots. I'm guessing you can't really do that with a PC?

- car = 2002 SVT Focus (RED)

TDMAN · 02-07-05, 02:26

The cyclo will outperform a PC consistently, even though the OPM's aren't as high. Must be something about the 2 4" heads and the way they move. It is better because it will function almost as good as a rotary, but will not harm your paint. Rotary fucntion with safety of a PC = one Awesome polisher!

the other pc · 02-07-05, 03:09

Quote:

Originally posted by porterror
my only problem is , i have a small car and doesn't take me long to do, and it has a ton of corners plus small spots. I'm guessing you can't really do that with a PC?...

On a small car the added speed and power of a machine like the PC or Cyclo is mostly a benefit when you have to "work" the surface to remove defects. More important than the speed is the improvement in consistency.

The added consistency is still a benefit when you're using products that only need to be "spread around" like waxes or glazes. You'll get better coverage using less product.

Products with little or no cutting action are very safe with an orbital machine, even over edges (assuming you don't go nuts with it).

You may not need it, but you'll be glad to have it

PC.

Accumulator · 02-07-05, 03:32

Quote:

Originally posted by detailedcars
Since there is somewhat of a debate on polishers, I was wondering if the PC guys would state why their polisher is the best, and for the Cyclo guys to do the same.

I hate to say this, and I *don't* say it very often, but this is one you oughta search on. We've had some, uhm, heartfelt

discussions about the relative merits of both machines.

IMO the only advantages of the PC are:

1) The PC works better on vehicles with certain contours. Hard to describe which contours I mean, but my Jag XJS is a perfect example. Just no way to get the head of the Cyclo into certain areas on that car

That was why I bought the PC. IMO this isn't an issue with most vehicles.

2) The PC is a variable speed, the Cyclo is not. Some products (such as AIO) work better with slower settings on the PC than they do with the Cyclo.

3) Cost; the PC is less expensive than the Cyclo. But the Cyclo will last *far* longer without needing rebuilt, at least in my experience (and I have about 20 years on the one Cyclo).

4) Pad selection; there are far more types of pads available for the PC in various sizes. But note that I've never *not* used the Cyclo because of this.

5) Personal preference; some people (for reasons I cannot fathom

) just like the PC better.

Unless I were working with a vehicle where the contour issue came up, I'd pick the Cyclo hands down, period. It's my go-to machine for everything from compounding to waxing. Note that I also have two PCs and a Makita rotary and the Cyclos (I have two of *them* also

) get used *FAR* more than the other machines combined. I have to have a *very* good reason to use something else and I'm never too happy about it when that happens.