Pro's and Con's of the Cyclo?

[cptzippy]

Going to give my elderly PC a go this season for the spring detail and see how she goes. If I decide it's time for a change I'm thinking I like the look of the Cyclo. It's definitely unique in design. What are the pro's and con's of it versus say the Griot's unit?



TIA,

Tony

 

[JohnKleven]

The Cyclo is definitely the best built dual action polisher on the market. It does cut well due to it's smaller pads, and is also extremely well balanced, and won't rattle your hands numb like the PC. Also very user friendly. It doesn't cut like a rotary, but should run circles around a PC.

 

[Junebug]

I have one and love it, it's definitely worth the money and Cyclo has a new variable speed model that looks sweet. Now if Megs would just make their MF cutting pads in 4" - you listening Megs? *** were ya'll thinking with that 3" BS!



OK - off rant, I've used M105 and orange pads to get great correction on most paints, you do need to clean the pads often and I found a small air compressor is really nice to have, although you can use a pad brush. It is a nice well balanced machine that only looks awkward, then to try it and realize what you've been missing.

 

[Accumulator]

Regulars here know that I'm a big fan of the Cyclo (been using my older one since the early-mid '80s). Also, I don't want it to look like I'm :argue with John Kleven..he and I are usually on the same page simply because, well...he's not wrong about stuff! That said...

The Cyclo is definitely the best built dual action polisher on the market...

Absolutely 100% true :xyxthumbs

It does cut well due to it's smaller pads, and is also extremely well balanced, and won't rattle your hands numb like the PC. Also very user friendly.

Again absolutely 100% true. I borderline *enjoy* using the Cyclos and I don't like doing this stuff! Simply a joy to use something that's so well built and so well designed.

.. It doesn't cut like a rotary, but should run circles around a PC.

Here's where my experience (hence my opinion) differs. While the Cyclo can do some significant correction (and I bet that with SurBuf pads and M105 it can *really* do something, but I've never tried that), it does *NOT* cut as aggressively for me as a PC with 4" pads. And I'm referring to the "older model" PCs, not the XP. I've done side-by-side comparisons that only happened because I wasn't getting the results I wanted via Cyco; took the same pad off the Cyclo, put it on the PC, used the same product, and got *better* cutting by far. So much better that I had to be a little careful at times (my only Random-Orbital-"oops!" was with a PC/4" Cyclo green pad/3M 05933, a combo that's *really* mild via Cyclo, so mild that I can't hurt paint if I try).



If you compare the Cyclo with a PC using 6" pads, or even 5", then yeah the Cyclo comes out on top. But with a 4" pad both of my PCs cut better than either of my Cyclos so I'm pretty confident that the comparison will hold up across the board.



I consider the Cyclo a perfect finish polisher. Perfect for burnishing and great for waxing by machine. (Both those applications are dependent on the Cyclo working with the vehicle's contours; the Cyclo doesn't work well on my Jag XJS at *all*, that's why I bought my first PC.) But it simply doesn't do serious correction for me in a timely manner, period. That's where a rotary/Flex 3401/Griot's 6" comes in, or even a PC with a 4" pad if you don't mind taking forever and vibrating yourself to pieces.

 

[Bill D]

I rarely touch my PC these days. Any minor defects I spot, I reach for the Cyclo first. It does a great job on micromarring, even on hard Audi paint and Mercedes Ceramiclear given the right polish and pad choice of course. However,most stuff the "general population" would consider defects, ( visible scratches the average car owner notices and would be bothered by) has to be corrected by a rotary most of the time.

 

[Accumulator]

I rarely touch my PC these days. ..most stuff the "general population" would consider defects, ( visible scratches the average car owner notices and would be bothered by) has to be corrected by a rotary most of the time.

These days, I reach for my Flex 3401 or the Griot's Garage 6". But I do have one of the PCs set up for 3" pads and I use that for RIDS. The Griot's 6" is *incredible* with 3-4" pads, but it's just easier for me to keep one PC set up like that all the time. (Plastic centercaps on the beater-Audi's wheels got 2K and 4K Mirka, then Griot's 3" orange with M105 then Menzerna/BF 106.)



I suspect you'd *really* like the Griot's 6", I was sure surprised by it...thought it'd be "just another PC" but oh man was I wrong about that!



I hadn't used my Cyclos for so long that I'd kinda forgotten how user-friendly they are! Got one out to 1Z PP the hood of the beater-Audi (after getting somewhat aggressive on it with the Flex) and thought "oh yeah...*that's* why I always liked a Cyclo!"

 

[Barry Theal]

The cyclo is a great tool. It is a great add on to any other polishers. I wouldn't buy the cyclo as my only DA style polisher. If this is the route your looking, buy the Griot's machine with a 5.5 inch backing plate and a 3 inch backing plate for tighter spots.



Now if your looking to buy a cyclo as an add on polisher. Get it without a doubt! Its one of the best hands on basic polishers on the market. I would disagree with John Kleven on the fact that it can'tcut into paint like a rotory. A rotory may be quicker, but the cyclo can level paint with the right set up.



Accumulator nailed it to a tee when he mentioned M105 and the surbuff pads. Its a knock out correction setup. I was able to remove DA sanding marks with it. Also keep in mind it makes a great carpet scrubber and sander as well.



Cyclo makes up to 12000 grit sand paper for this machine. Talk about a perfect machine that can sand,compound, and polish swil free and hologram free. Good things take time. If you have time this machine is insane. I love it and highly recomend it. Its only down side is tight spots and smaller panels.



Good Luck on your choice.

 

[Accumulator]

..The cyclo is a great tool. It is a great add on to any other polishers...

Oh man...I'm *still* waiting to hear what you're doing with yours and what products you use to burnish with it!

Accumulator nailed it to a tee when he mentioned M105 and the surbuff pads. Its a knock out correction setup. I was able to remove DA sanding marks with it... and [it's a] sander as well....Cyclo makes up to 12000 grit sand paper for this machine.

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about those! With the right pads/products or the sanding pads I guess it *can* do more impressive correction than I ever got out of mine. You would have to use the right stuff though, with "normal compounds" and orange/yellow pads it's awfully gentle on hard clear.



I wonder how safe the mild-grit sanding discs are...you know, in the hands of people without your level of experience :think:

Good things take time. If you have time this machine is insane...

Heh heh, you young guys have more time than us old folks

Also keep in mind it makes a great carpet scrubber..

Yeah, I keep one set up just for that all winter long. Makes it easy to live with carpeted mats even with all the salt/etc. mess.

Its only down side is tight spots and smaller panels...

And weird panel contours where a larger pad can be squashed in to fit, or where you can use the outer part of a larger pad that overhangs the backing plate. I keep beating this point to death because it drove me nuts that I couldn't do certain areas of my Jag with it.

 

[JohnKleven]

All good points. I also think the cyclo forces you to keep a flat machine, and is a great starter buffer to graduate to a rotary later. We have rotaries, PC, Flex, and Cyclo at my shop. All except for the PC get used and serve a purpose.

 

[Accumulator]

.. I also think the cyclo forces you to keep a flat machine, and is a great starter buffer to graduate to a rotary later...

Oh yeah, absolutely! It just lends itself to "rotary motions" and helps burn in (oops, pardon that turn of phrase!) the idea and motions of keeping the polisher moving all the time. I *still* find myself handling it just like I would a rotary even though there's no fear it doing damage if I don't.

 

[cptzippy]

Here's my thinking. My PC is the older model (7224? never can remember). It had done an 'acceptable' job for me but I've never been sure whether the results were due to my inexepience and lack of technique or some of the things that I've read on here of the last few years since the newer DA's have come out. I am only using this for myself and our two cars and I keep them fairly marr free. (My biggest problem is the dealer installed swirls in my car that I haven't had time to attack yet). Hopefully, I won't need to do heavy correction any time soon (knocks on wood). Looks like the Griot's would be a better choice for me at this point; big sticking point for me is that I've been let down by every Griots product I've tried (which isn't too many admittedly).

 

[Barry Theal]

All good points. I also think the cyclo forces you to keep a flat machine, and is a great starter buffer to graduate to a rotary later. We have rotaries, PC, Flex, and Cyclo at my shop. All except for the PC get used and serve a purpose.

Come on now. YOu love them PC'S more then me! :wacko:

 

[Accumulator]

Here's my thinking. My PC is the older model (7224? never can remember). It had done an 'acceptable' job for me but I've never been sure whether the results were due to my inexepience and lack of technique or some of the things that I've read on here of the last few years since the newer DA's have come out.. Looks like the Griot's would be a better choice for me at this point; big sticking point for me is that I've been let down by every Griots product I've tried (which isn't too many admittedly).

IIRC, there's a "try it and send it back if you don't like it" period with the Griot's. But even without that, I'm pretty sure you *will* like it so much better than your current PC that you won't regret the purchase.



I have so many polishers, and thought "that can't be all *that* special..." so I didn't buy the Griot's; I don't do that much correction anyhow. Then my wife got me one for a present and it just sat in the box; same thoughts "eh, it's just another PC-like thing and I have the Flex and my Cyclos". I *finally* got it out and tried it and "oh man, this thing is the [stuff]!"



The point being, I was one *very* hard sale, utterly predisposed towards not being favorably impressed. But now just listen to me, always recommending the thing. And if I'm not the ultimate authority on polishers (now there's an understatement!), consider that it's quickly become Barry Theal's overall fave; that speaks volumes IMO.

 

[Kevin Brown]

Another thread about the Cyclo:



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de...ants-bring-orbital-buffer-whats-good-one.html



Personally, I much prefer a traditional single head random orbital.

It's the only one in my duffle bag that gets much use these days. :rockon1:



I still use the rotary occasionally.

Usually though, with a Dynabrade Dual Action Buffing Head installed.



I like the fact that the Cyclo has a variable trigger now.

Still, they really need to bump the speed up.



Good Luck!

 

[JohnKleven]

And here another thread that I wrote.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/machin...s-same-pads-same-compounds-gloss-testing.html



The Cyclo beat the Flex in overall gloss, only bested by the rotary.

 

[5pointadam]

We use the makita 6 speed for the big boy stuff. Everything else is cyclo. I was a PC guy for a long time, until I met the cycle. Let's put it this way, the two greatest inventions in auto detailing in my book are the hot water carpet extractor and the cyclo. You know when you see a car that has holograms from top to bottom? I often wonder what freakin detailer doesn't just buy a 300$ cyclo and clear all that up? Anyway, we have 7 of them now. We always have one set up for carpets and 4 ready to polish at the shop and 2 more for the mobile trucks. I would bet those polishers run at least 3 hours a day each and they just never die.

 

[danponjican]

In my experience, there is no better built machine. Even the next best will fail after years of commercial service. A Cyclo will last you a lifetime and then some.



Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Scottwax]

I ended up selling my Cyclo a few years ago when I got a rotary. While I really liked how smooth the Cyclo was, once converted to the Edge system the pads got ridiculously expensive and as a pro, I need a lot of pads. Even with the pads being double sided, the smaller sized means they need to be cleaned more often and so you need a minimum of two sets (four total pads) of each type of pad (cutting, polishing, finishing), so at $10 a pad, you've got $120 invested just in pads. If you do a lot of cars like I do, then you need 5-6 full sets of each type of pad on hand so it gets pricey. Plus, IMO the Cyclo doesn't cut as fast as the newer, more powerful DA polishers do and it can be a bit cumbersome to use on really curvy panels. However, if you do a lot of larger vehicles, like motorhomes or planes, the larger coverage area of the Cyclo does come in handy.

 

[Scottwax]

You know when you see a car that has holograms from top to bottom? I often wonder what freakin detailer doesn't just buy a 300$ cyclo and clear all that up? Anyway, we have 7 of them now.

...or spend $45 for a bottle of 3M Ultrafina and $16 for the blue Ultrafina pad and learn to use a rotary properly to finish out hologram free.

 

[RTexasF]

I have an old timer PC 7336, a Cyclo, and the long corded Griot's machine. When I got the Cyclo I hardly ever used the PC again. When I got the Griot's the Cyclo sat in the bin unused. Along with most here I feel that the Cyclo is the best built, best balanced machine available. If I had it to do over again, and I was looking for an additional machine (with an existing Porter Cable), I would buy the Griot's. It's not near as smooth and vibration free as the Cyclo but it is STOUT when it comes to correction. The Griot's polisher was not available in its current form when I got the Cyclo many years ago. I seldom detail any more but when I do it's the Griot's I go for and the PC with 4" pads that I scrounge from my Cyclo supply.



I have no rotary experience and at my age have no intention of learning how to use one. I'll use what I've got until old age and arthritis stop me.