PC or Griots or Rotary?

bfourney · 07-12-06, 01:10

Well, I'm finally ready to splurge for a polisher for the new car but I'm a noob so I've got some questions.

First off, the car is brand new and pretty spotless with only some very minor scratches. It will probably be the only car that gets polished with whatever I get for quite some time.

So Porter Cable is pretty much the gold standard around here, but Griots has a new random orbital that's reasonably priced and has some additional benefits like smaller size, etc. If I end up going the PC route I guess I'd get one of the kits with pads from Autogeek. Any thoughts there? Would a Orbital do just fine on minor scratches?

I'm also looking into going the rotary route with a Dewalt 849, etc. Is this complete overkill for a noob like me?

Thanks,

Bryn

velobard · 07-12-06, 03:42

I'm pretty much a noob too, but I'd vote for the PC. You'll have your choice of backplates (as opposed to the one from Griot's), and yes, with the rotary you'd likely be in over your head. You can get reasonably aggressive with the PC if necessary if you use 4" pads for trouble spots.

samjake · 07-12-06, 05:27

You can have both tools in one with the Makita BO6040 Sander/Polisher, the Bosch 1250DEVS Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander/Polisher, or the Festool Rotex RO 150/125.

Accumulator · 07-12-06, 06:15

I'd choose between the PC and the Cyclo.

bfourney · 07-13-06, 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by samjake

You can have both tools in one with the Makita BO6040 Sander/Polisher, the Bosch 1250DEVS Dual-Mode Random Orbit Sander/Polisher, or the Festool Rotex RO 150/125.

I've heard of the Makita, but I fugured this type would be bulkier, and not as good as a seperate rotary, or orbital. Has anyone used them?

bfourney · 07-13-06, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

I'd choose between the PC and the Cyclo.

Have you used the Cyclo? I saw it online somewhere, that thing looks like it weighs 50lbs! Is it basically just two rotarys, or does it oscillate them both? I'll have to search for this one when I have time this weekend to refresh my memory...

Lightman · 07-13-06, 12:39

In my experience/research, there isn't one tool that will do it all, although I don't know much about the cyclo. Even with aggressive pads and polishes, the PC will not remove deeper swirls/scratches. On the flip side, it's not typically recommended to use a rotary for final polishing or applying waxes/sealants. Most folks it would seem start with a pc and then eventually get a rotary as well. Accumulator I'm sure can chime in more on the cyclo, as I believe he has one.

bfourney · 07-15-06, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightman

Even with aggressive pads and polishes, the PC will not remove deeper swirls/scratches. On the flip side, it's not typically recommended to use a rotary for final polishing or applying waxes/sealants.

So since it's a new car and I don't really have and deep scratches a rotary is not reccommended? I thought rotarys could do it all, they just take more skill to operate. I guess if I'm going to be doing mainly polishing and waxing on a new finish without any really visible scrathes I should go the orbital (or combo) route then?

Beason · 07-15-06, 06:10

PC to begin, then step up to to Rotary or Cyclo

themightytimmah · 07-15-06, 07:04

I'd buy a Cyclo now, and step up to a rotary over time. VW paint is VERY hard, and working it with a PC can be really frustrating and turn you off from the whole detailing experience. You're gonna want the rotary to cut out any serious scratches, and the Cyclo to finish/apply LSPs.

Pennypacker · 07-15-06, 11:25

I agree with themightytimmah. It's really difficult getting swirls out of VWs, if that's what you're going to be using it on. The Cyclo's more expensive, but the craftsmanship is top notch. It oscillates in a random motion, so in that regard is similar to a PC, and is also the reason why it's safer for less experienced detailers than a rotary, which produces much more heat. Probably the only concern is that it's bulkier than the PC, so can be somewhat harder to navigate in tight areas.

I think a rotary on a new car would be overkill in my less-than-expert opinion.

The Griot's machine is limiting with respect to pad choice because of the backing plate issue, as was mentioned.

bfourney · 07-17-06, 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I'd buy a Cyclo now, and step up to a rotary over time. VW paint is VERY hard, and working it with a PC can be really frustrating and turn you off from the whole detailing experience. You're gonna want the rotary to cut out any serious scratches, and the Cyclo to finish/apply LSPs.

So if I don't have any serious scratches (knock on wood) since the car is new then a Cyclo is preffered over the PC for applying waxes/sealants? Is the Cyclo a new tool? I haven't heard much about it...

Who sells Cyclos? Who makes them?

Also what are LSPs? I can't find the damn decoder ring!