Should I buy a rotary?

Porkanbeans

Porkanbeans

O RLY?
After Christmas, a few recent details, and some sold items I have $400 in cash lying around. I should really save, but we all know how it is. ;) Anyway, I'm pretty loyal to the Makita brand, and I'm seriously considering buying their rotary.



First off, where should I buy one? Second, what pads do you suggest, and how many should I get? What polishes/compounds do you suggest I purchase to try with it?



Thanks!
 
I'd say buy the rotary if your budget allows. The rotary makes fast work of tough paint problems if used properly and really brings the paint out to its best. I know a lot of people on this board prefer Lake Country, but I personnally haven't tried them due to the fact that I have a bunch of Meguiars pads left to use and when they are gone I'll try some of the Lake Country pads. When it comes to practicing try to find a beater car or get a used panel from a junkyard or bodyshop. As far as product I'd recommend DACP to practice with or a light polish of sorts like Meguiars Machine Polish or equivalent. Just remember practice, practice, practice.:)
 
Getting the advantages of a rotary is like playing the guitar, takes practice. I have an old B&D rotary that's not functional at the moment but in recent years, I have actually tried one. I never burned the paint and it wasn't flawless but enough to make me smile:up



If you want a new rotary, then coastaltool.com can hook you up with one for about $186 there abouts. Most other places on the web I see go from $199.95-$225.99 If you want reconditioned, toolking.com stocks the makita for about $120



Far as pads and backing plates are concerned, muchas places to buy them. I'm a Megs nut myself so I usually get stuff straight from Meguiars.com or autodetailingsolutions.com



Compounds and polishes, Start out with something like #83 DACP or 1zPP I'm not sure how 1Z's polishes work with a rotary, never tried them. For the follow up polishes, #82 or like Thumper said, #3 Machine Glaze,,,,,,AR
 
$25 Rotary



I have TWO of these, and highly recommend them, for the ocassioanal user. Get the proper pads and backing plate (and maybe a junk panel for practice).



Hard to beat, for the price. Oh, my Fein beats it, but...



Jim
 
Thanks guys. I'll probably use the rotary just about every time I detail a car. From past experience, most cars I've done have been in horrible shape. That Chicago rotary looks interesting, I may have to try it for the heck of it. I would still like to invest in a quality, long lasting rotary like the Makita though. My client base will grow exponentially once school is over, so I'll probably buy it just before then.



Thanks again for the great info!
 
I got the Makita 9227cx3 from Amazon.com. I would reccomend that one since it comes with the bag. The price was fine, not too high, not too low, but it came with free shipping.



I got some of the 8" edge pads and I will use the 6" Megs pads that I already had for the PC as needed.



For the general question... yes get a rotary. Its an awesome tool.
 
I have had my Makita 9227 for about 3 weeks now and have used it quite a bit. For me detailing is a hobby (obsessive hobby), and I felt it was worth purchasing just for the fun of it. I bought the Mequiar's backing plates so I can use my 6" and 8" Meguiar's pads. I also bought a small backing plates to use 4" pads for taking out small paint defects. I haven't damaged any paint yet, and I am enjoying the process. Believe me this is not "brain surgery by correspondence."
 
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