Rotary fever....

**imported_SouthernZ71** · 07-22-2004, 04:42 PM

To buy or not to buy is the question! How did you rotary guys come to the conclusion that you needed something more than a RO? I did a black Impala SS yesterday and it seemed no matter what product/pad I tried I could not get the finish up to par for release... Ended up loosing money because of the amount of time it took me to get it looking decent....

Thanks for the help

**Jcrawford** · 07-22-2004, 04:52 PM

I`m like you there comes a point to where the paint can`t get any better looking with the PC. I purchased the harbor freight rotary for $25 for the learning curve. i`ll learn how to use it then if it breaks in a year i`ll graduate to a makita. where in LA are you at?? theres a harbor freight on airline in kenner and on sherwood forest in baton rouge.

**imported_SouthernZ71** · 07-22-2004, 05:04 PM

I`m in metairie, what about you? I was thinking about getting the harbor freight rotary, not sure though... Don`t want to spin my wheels like I did with the PC.....

**Dennis H.** · 07-22-2004, 05:57 PM

The high speed buffer is quite an art form. You might think of hanging around some one who specialized in rubbing and buffing high end car restorations. You can get a lot from their experience.

**Accumulator** · 07-22-2004, 06:06 PM

I went rotary when I found that I couldn`t remove sorta-bad marring from certain hard clears using the PC or Cyclo (not matter how long I worked it). On *my* vehicles, I seldom need it unless someone at the dealership has been careless

But on (non-Autopian) friends` cars, I can`t get by without it.

**imported_SouthernZ71** · 07-22-2004, 06:18 PM

Dennis H. - Yup, I borrowed a buddies old Milwaukee and got a panel from the junk yard. First thing I did was crank it to the fastest setting to see what burnt clear/paint looked like. From there I buffed the panel to a high gloss, then wet sanded and buffed. Only problem, my buddy took his rotary back for his work...

Accumulator - That`s where I`m at. Just trying to get up enough nerve to hit the "buy" button.... and trying to figure out whether I really need it....

**foris2** · 07-22-2004, 07:53 PM

I bought the Makita 9227 when I ran across a couple of jobs the Cyclo couldn`t handle.

**tangix2001** · 07-22-2004, 08:31 PM

A friend at a Ford dealer showed me how to use a rotary since the guy who detailed our cars would not. He said it was to hard to learn. Been using mine for the past eleven years with no problems. Well worth the investment for time saved.

**hondaguy2582** · 07-22-2004, 08:35 PM

Its pretty simple. Run it at a lower speed to start, stay away from edges, and dont sit in one spot. Just practice on a beater, and youll be fine!!!!!

**gentletouch** · 07-22-2004, 09:11 PM

Charles,

I have the rotary from Harbor Freight. It is a Chicago Electric rotary. You really should get this rotary. Its inexpensive and I have never had a problem with mine. The PC is an awesome machine as you know, but does not generate the heat a rotary does. The sanding situation I had on the Impala would not come out with a pc. I had to use the rotary with a wool pad. It generated the heat I needed to level the paint to remove the scratched. Get with me and we`ll go together and work with a bit.

**imported_SouthernZ71** · 07-22-2004, 09:28 PM

Scott, thanks for the help! Does it bog down any (not that I`m going to be applying a ton of pressure)? How responsive is the trigger?

Thanks,again....

Originally posted by gentletouch

Charles,

I have the rotary from Harbor Freight. It is a Chicago Electric rotary. You really should get this rotary. Its inexpensive and I have never had a problem with mine. The PC is an awesome machine as you know, but does not generate the heat a rotary does. The sanding situation I had on the Impala would not come out with a pc. I had to use the rotary with a wool pad. It generated the heat I needed to level the paint to remove the scratched. Get with me and we`ll go together and work with a bit.

**gentletouch** · 07-22-2004, 10:10 PM

I haven`t had any problems with mine bogging down. It does not have a hair trigger, but it does have a trigger lock, which I like. I am telling you for 25-30 bucks you can`t beat it.

**imported_Intel486** · 07-22-2004, 10:55 PM

I have a Makita rotary. I really like it. I had it before I started detailing vehicles but I got a DeWalt RO shortly after.

I love both tools.

**ncal** · 07-22-2004, 10:55 PM

Neighbor gave me a spare door to play with today so I`m gonna bust out the rotary for the first time this weekend : D

**Jcrawford** · 07-22-2004, 11:22 PM

southern Z71, i`m on the northshore. i`d be game for a little "rotary tutorial" with all the NOLA autopians. haven`t had a chance to use my chicago elec. since i just got it yesterday.