Using the Machine Polisher..

JaeMillz07 · 07-23-06, 10:08

Hey what's up everyone. I've been detailing for a few months but nothing comparable to what I have seen here. As known people look for an over the job detail and that's what keeps customers coming back. I have seen cars on here flipped like I have never seen before. From swirls to chrome looking paint. I was wondering as i've never used the rotary before, how hard it is getting into it. I plan on praticing on my own personal cars, so don't worry about that. I see people on here posting how they change the pads they use, the rpm's the machine performs at, to what they are putting on the pad. It seems very intimidating and almost makes me want to keep doing it by hand, but I feel like I just wont get swirls out by hand, and I think that if customers see swirls gone they will be amazed, and refer me to friends and so forth. I am currently 16 years old and will be working with my friend who is 17. I got into detailing because I worked for someone last year and saw how much money he made, and I really enjoyed detailing the cars, so I figured it would be perfect for me. I'm currently saving for my first car and am willing to do anything to reach my goal. Thank you all very much for reading this and helping me out.

-Jimmy

BigAl3 · 07-23-06, 10:26

i would start with a pc, then move onto the rotary. many on here have accomplished (in most cases not all) what a rotary can do, but it takes more time and good technique is the most important factor... http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=47

themightytimmah · 07-23-06, 10:48

If you've got a few junk panels to practice on, the rotary is the only way to go IMHO. I finally got over my bad habit of hologramming with one and I wished I'd learned this way from the start, all the time I spent via PC was wasted time in retrospect. With a fine finishing polish, finishing pad, and 1000-1200rpms, the rotary is a snap after a little practice. Getting a good one-step finish with optimum/HT MC/etc and a polishing pad is the hard part. The gloss that a rotary can produce is noticeably superior to what a DA can do, IMHO. You might want to get a PC anyways though, to finish out on very soft paints or apply waxes/glazes.

I've got a Makita 9227, and its far from the fire-breathing monster that many people make it out to be, its actually a lot smoother and less tiring to use than a PC. If you're gonna get a rotary, invest in a quality machine and pads though, or you'll never quite get the hang of it.

That's just my opinion though, the majority of people on here prefer a PC for polishing work. Take what I say with a grain of salt, I do a lot of cars and I've had time to get proficient with a rotary, as well as owning DA machines to correct occasional mistakes with.

4mo · 07-23-06, 10:52

I love it, young and all full of go. I don't know much about the detailing business but I have been amazed at what a Porter Cable DA can do while maintaining a huge safety margin. If I were in your shoes I would pay what ever it takes to go take a class from one of the pros.

I started out in the computer biz back in 1990 with an electronics background but no computer experience. I figured out a way to get top notch training and am still reaping the rewards from it today. Get trained, it will be the best money you will ever spend; assuming you find someone that can get you started out right.

Also this place is amazing and the people even more so. If you come in here with an open mind and respect you can learn a ton of priceless information. I know I have went from adding swirls to being able to remove them in a short amount of time. With a lot of bad information floating around on the Internet this is IMO the best place to weed through it and find out what works and don't work.

So get trained, study at Autopia, practice, and have fun building a business. I love seeing young people with an entrepreneurial sprit build a business from the ground up.

I wish you the best!

JaeMillz07 · 07-24-06, 07:53

Thank you for everyone that replied. 4mo , I think that is a great idea and maybe I can have someone around here detail my car, and I can just sit with them and learn. Thank you all though, and that guide was great, I stayed up reading it all last night. I think im gonna get the PC just to start, because I wouldn't want to mess any cars up and I think it would be better to start with the PC then eventually work my way to the rotary.

Ben Kenobi · 07-24-06, 08:05

I'll weigh in on the side for the PC also. It's not too difficult to get the hang of and I've taught a fellow member on how to use one. The rotary polishers are great and like Tim says practice on a junk panel. That's the safest thing to start off with. Good luck and you'll do fine. Take your time and enjoy what you do, then getting paid for it is a bonus!