Blue Demon Owner
New member
What causes a rotory buffer to make swirl marks, and how can they be avoided?
swirl marks
- Thread starter Blue Demon Owner
- Start date
imported_Intel486
New member
Agressive compounds will do it.
Dirty pads, including ones caked w/ dried compound as well as dirt.
Agressive pads (wool or a strong cutting foam pad)
Improper use
Dirty pads, including ones caked w/ dried compound as well as dirt.
Agressive pads (wool or a strong cutting foam pad)
Improper use
Blue Demon Owner
New member
Thanks for the reply. Just bought a new rotory[ Porter Cable] and I notices some marks on my hood, How do I get rid of them?
Intel486 said:
imported_Intel486
New member
What do they look like?
Are the swirls like this:
Or swirls like this:
The first type picture is what I call spiderweb swirls. I use Pro's Yellow Foam Waffle pad w/ Creamy Cutter. I run it at about 1700 RPMs. I heat the paint up slightly with it when I use it. Not soo hot I can't put my hand on it and leave it there though. Just to get some heat built up b/c the Creamy Cutter needs it.
The second picture is from after using the Creamy Cutter. I use Pro's Black Flat finishing Foam pad with their Swirl Eliminator and Polish. I use medium pressure.
I use and "H" pattern. I got up and down with the buffer making overlapping strokes, then back and forth, and then up and down again.
You may have some of those marks after the swirl eliminator but most of the time they are just oils on the paint and after waxing or washing again they won't be there.
If you decided to try creamy cutter, then you have to use it in a two step process. It is an oil emulsion of Diamonite so it leave a oily residue on the paint. After polishing w/ swirl elminator or going over with a wax, then it'll take the oil off.
Actually, if you want to purchase a small bottle of Creamy Cutter from me instead of having to get a gallon from Pro. I might be going to my Pro Dist Monday also so I can pick a waffle pad up and a black foam finishing pad too. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Also, where are you located? Might be close to someone who can show you how to use a Rotary.
Are the swirls like this:
Or swirls like this:
The first type picture is what I call spiderweb swirls. I use Pro's Yellow Foam Waffle pad w/ Creamy Cutter. I run it at about 1700 RPMs. I heat the paint up slightly with it when I use it. Not soo hot I can't put my hand on it and leave it there though. Just to get some heat built up b/c the Creamy Cutter needs it.
The second picture is from after using the Creamy Cutter. I use Pro's Black Flat finishing Foam pad with their Swirl Eliminator and Polish. I use medium pressure.
I use and "H" pattern. I got up and down with the buffer making overlapping strokes, then back and forth, and then up and down again.
You may have some of those marks after the swirl eliminator but most of the time they are just oils on the paint and after waxing or washing again they won't be there.
If you decided to try creamy cutter, then you have to use it in a two step process. It is an oil emulsion of Diamonite so it leave a oily residue on the paint. After polishing w/ swirl elminator or going over with a wax, then it'll take the oil off.
Actually, if you want to purchase a small bottle of Creamy Cutter from me instead of having to get a gallon from Pro. I might be going to my Pro Dist Monday also so I can pick a waffle pad up and a black foam finishing pad too. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Also, where are you located? Might be close to someone who can show you how to use a Rotary.
Blue Demon Owner
New member
Intel486 said:What do they look like?
After looking at the two pictures you have I believe the marks are from dirty pads that I used. They are half circular scratches, like 3 in a 4in. space
Are the swirls like this:
Or swirls like this:
The first type picture is what I call spiderweb swirls. I use Pro's Yellow Foam Waffle pad w/ Creamy Cutter. I run it at about 1700 RPMs. I heat the paint up slightly with it when I use it. Not soo hot I can't put my hand on it and leave it there though. Just to get some heat built up b/c the Creamy Cutter needs it.
The second picture is from after using the Creamy Cutter. I use Pro's Black Flat finishing Foam pad with their Swirl Eliminator and Polish. I use medium pressure.
I use and "H" pattern. I got up and down with the buffer making overlapping strokes, then back and forth, and then up and down again.
You may have some of those marks after the swirl eliminator but most of the time they are just oils on the paint and after waxing or washing again they won't be there.
If you decided to try creamy cutter, then you have to use it in a two step process. It is an oil emulsion of Diamonite so it leave a oily residue on the paint. After polishing w/ swirl elminator or going over with a wax, then it'll take the oil off.
Actually, if you want to purchase a small bottle of Creamy Cutter from me instead of having to get a gallon from Pro. I might be going to my Pro Dist Monday also so I can pick a waffle pad up and a black foam finishing pad too. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Also, where are you located? Might be close to someone who can show you how to use a Rotary.
Blue Demon Owner
New member
The scratches are a little deeper than the first picture, they look like 3 ( ( ( scratches.
Hal724 said:
imported_Intel486
New member
Where they there before you buffed w/ the rotary?
Blue Demon Owner
New member
I don't think they were there.
Wow, sorry to hear that you got swirls. 
Also, "Improper Use" is a very broad statement, since using a rotary is more technique and skill intensive than anything else done here. Have you read the "Rotary Usage" thread in the Professional Forum?
For other people reading, this is kind of an illustration of how easy it is to misuse a rotary (if indeed it caused the swirls), as opposed to the orbital PC which is much safer. Most rotary users here will strongly recommend practicing its use on a junk panel or beater car before using it on your own car. I could've bought one cheap not long ago, but I didn't because of this steep learning curve and its "double-edged sword" nature.
Also, "Improper Use" is a very broad statement, since using a rotary is more technique and skill intensive than anything else done here. Have you read the "Rotary Usage" thread in the Professional Forum?
For other people reading, this is kind of an illustration of how easy it is to misuse a rotary (if indeed it caused the swirls), as opposed to the orbital PC which is much safer. Most rotary users here will strongly recommend practicing its use on a junk panel or beater car before using it on your own car. I could've bought one cheap not long ago, but I didn't because of this steep learning curve and its "double-edged sword" nature.
Blue Demon Owner
New member
4DSC said:Thanks for the reply.
I just read that article, nice tips.
next time I'll be shure to have clean pads.
Wow, sorry to hear that you got swirls.
Also, "Improper Use" is a very broad statement, since using a rotary is more technique and skill intensive than anything else done here. Have you read the "Rotary Usage" thread in the Professional Forum?
For other people reading, this is kind of an illustration of how easy it is to misuse a rotary (if indeed it caused the swirls), as opposed to the orbital PC which is much safer. Most rotary users here will strongly recommend practicing its use on a junk panel or beater car before using it on your own car. I could've bought one cheap not long ago, but I didn't because of this steep learning curve and its "double-edged sword" nature.