Busting out the rotary this weekend. Any tips?

[LikeaRock]

I'm going to borrow my neighbors Makita rotary this weekend to polish up my new daily driver, a 1992 Saturn SL1. It's got some scratches I know won't come out, but I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot. This will be my frist time using a rotary for a full detail, I've only practiced on a junked fender in the past. I'm not too worried about damaging the paint since I might repaint it in the future anyway. I also figured as long as I stay at lower speeds for a while I'll be fine, and then just work my way up from there. Here's my plan:

Wash
3M Fine Cut
Megs Detail Spray
Ultracoat Polish
DS
Carnauba Creme Wax or NXT X2 topper

I already clayed it on Sunday, so that's not an issue. As far as the wheels go, eh they're not worth worrying about anymore. If any of you have any tips as to how I should handle the rotary since this is a full detail, that'd be great! Thanks!

 

[joyriide1113]

keep it flat. move 4 inches a second. stop right when u see the sligtest amount of dust. goodluck! i always polish it good but tend to need to always follow with the pc.

 

[LikeaRock]

keep it flat. move 4 inches a second. stop right when u see the sligtest amount of dust. goodluck! i always polish it good but tend to need to always follow with the pc.

Yeah, I've seen you mention that the Makita leaves a hollogram effect in the paint, I guess I'll probably find it out. By the way, the color is Silver, so I guess that could help

I'll be sure to get pics too, since it's my first rotary detail!

 

[joyriide1113]

i dont ALWAYS get them. soemtimes 1200rpms and a white pad is good anough, but when i think im cool the sun unveils all. thats why the pc is my best friend.

 

[GregCavi]

dont be wild with it. I have done a few cars with mine and havnt seen any holorgams. Either Im an idiot and dont see them or I dont get them. Not sure. I alwyas follow with the pc just as a precaution

Greg

 

[LikeaRock]

Well, I just tackled the deck lid, hood, and rear passenger doors, and I must say I'm impressed! I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it is, but I just started at a low speed and worked my way up from there. I skipped the Fine Cut and went straight to the Ultracoat Polish, and I must say it's doing its job! The paint feels extremely smooth, the metallic is really starting to pop, and I've got no hollograms or swirl marks. This is my first actual detail with a high speed buffer, and I must say it sure makes it a heck of a lot more fun! Well, I'm off to finish it off. I'm going to top it off with the Carnauba Creme Wax tomorrow morning, as I was told it bonds better after you wait 24 hours. I'll hopefully have pictures sometime this next week! :dcrules

 

[LikeaRock]

FYI: I ended up using his Harbor Freight rotary, he left his Makita at a friends.

All done! I went over the whole cat twice with the U.C.P., then gave it a really good buffing with my MF's, and finished it off with a quick wash down. I'm EXREMELY happy with the way it came out, since it was my first time touching an actual car with a rotary. The depth is back, the metallic pops out, and i's so smooth! I even got away without any buffer marks or burns, impressive, eh! I can't believe I've gone this long doing things by hand. NBow I've got the ambition I needed to buy a buffer. I'll probably start out with a PC and eventually buy a Makita rotary to accompany the PC.

I'll apply my topper tomorrow, and go over the black non-textured pieces with AIO, then just some small, finishing touches. Thanks again for everyon'es help with all of my questions, I couldn't of done it without you!

 

[Coastal Eddie]

i dont ALWAYS get them. soemtimes 1200rpms and a white pad is good anough, but when i think im cool the sun unveils all. thats why the pc is my best friend.

Joyride I'm interested in knowing about your Mini Cooper.
Is it a turbo, how much room inside, anything you don't like?? I'm getting close to getting one cause I want to drive under all the Hummers out here.

 

[Dozerboy]

I'm getting close to getting one cause I want to drive under all the Hummers out here.

I sure they're more than happy to go over your car as well. unk: