How to use a Rotary Buffer

[kenallwine]

Out of curiosity, was this the original single stage paint or was this a base/clear repaint? I am guessing by not seeing any red on the wool pads that this was clear coat.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by kenallwine

Out of curiosity, was this the original single stage paint or was this a base/clear repaint? I am guessing by not seeing any red on the wool pads that this was clear coat.

This was a clear coat finish. One of my students is a seasoned and professional painter from Victoria, Canada and he thinks it may have been an older enamel finish that was a basecoat/clearcoat paint job but using old school paints, not modern basecoat/clearcoat technology.

Great question though... I thought I covered this but maybe I missed it. The first thing I did however after the Vette arrived was tested a few panels around the car for single stage or basecoat/clearcoat paint because you can't always tell by simply looking at the paint.


How to Test for Single Stage or Clear Coat Paint



And of course, after buffing for a few passes on the hood with M105 on a wool pad I did turn my buffer over to look at the pad to check and see if I was pulling color.

Actually, during the class I checked and monitored the wool pad to make sure none of my students didn't discover either a panel with single stage paint or to make sure there were no "whoops" incidents.

And knock on paint... no problems...

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by Hoytman

I'll tell you what it is...it's gorgeous!!!!!!!

The grunt work was all done by my class...

Originally Posted by Hoytman

Mr. Phillips,
How long were your beads of products?

About the length and size of a standard pencil.

Originally Posted by Hoytman

Were you still trying to work in a 2x2 area where possible?

More of tackling sections as defined by the body panels and the curves, edges or raised body lines. Remember my saying,


The Yoda Technique for buffing out a car
Because some panels are not large and flat, especially on modern cars which are aerodynamic and for this reason very curved, then you use what I call the Yoda Technique, that is you,


"Let the panel be your guide"


(When you read the above sentence, use your best Yoda impersonation)


So of course, if you're working a long, thin panel then you might best work that panel by only going in one direction and doing your best to overlap your passes.

Basically whatever it takes to get the job done.

Originally Posted by Hoytman

What was the amount of product used when edging?

Less than the pencil example. Often times what I'll do and what I demonstrated in the class is I will lay down a bead of product on/near the edge to be buffed and then spread it around to lubricate the surface and ensure abrasives in the area, especially curved body panels.

Originally Posted by Hoytman

How long did you work each product?
Till visuals or experience told me the defects were removed and before we would get to a "Dry Buff" situation.


Working with the rotary is a goal of mine and I've had some experience on gel-coat, but haven't gotten to use it on paint. I feel much more confident now after seeing proper technique. I wish this had been on video.

Yancy is busy with other hot projects. I'll be demonstrating rotary buffer techniques next week in Evansville and also this Thursday on the swirled-out 1970 Cuda.


Learn How To Machine Polish a 1970 Cuda with a 440 Big Block!

[Hoytman]

Thanks Mr. Phillips! Sounds like I'll be getting an in-person tutorial on the rotary. Can't wait!!!

Oh...That's the first time I've ever heard of the Yoda technique. One thousand and eight posts and I somehow missed it.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by Hoytman

Thanks Mr. Phillips! Sounds like I'll be getting an in-person tutorial on the rotary. Can't wait!!!

I'm packing both the DeWALT and the Flex...

Originally Posted by Hoytman

Oh...That's the first time I've ever heard of the Yoda technique. One thousand and eight posts and I somehow missed it.

I just created a dedicated thread for it and will take some pictures to share the point.


The Yoda Technique for Buffing out a Car

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by Hoytman

Oh...That's the first time I've ever heard of the Yoda technique. One thousand and eight posts and I somehow missed it.

"Let the panel be your guide"


(When you read the above sentence, use your best Yoda impersonation)

[RLucky82]

Any reason the students were using the Flex and not the Dewalt?

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by RLucky82

Any reason the students were using the Flex and not the Dewalt?

I made the DeWALT available but for this training session you see in these pictures I purposefully chose the Flex because,

The body is compact is size
The tool only weighs 5 pounds


I also attached a 6.5" Wool Cutting Pad that I personally like because it is very easy to control and the perfect size for this rotary buffer.

Most of these people had never used a rotary buffer before so my job is to not make them experts but to bring up their comfort level which I did.

That's why.

Great question though...


These pictures that make up this thread were from my September 2012 Detailing Bootcamp Class, I have not been able to get to the pictures from my January 2013 Detailing Bootcamp Class yet where we sanded and buffed a 1963 Impala. But I will.



For the Impala we used the same wool pad and Meguiar's M100 and Flex, DeWALT and Makita Rotary Buffers.

Pictures and Comments - January 26th & 27th 2013 Detailing Boot Camp Class


1963 Chevy Impala SS Streetrod






Just look at the glossy wet look my students achieved...
After wetsanding, compounding with a rotary buffer and jewelling with a rotary buffer and them machine waxed.





I have another rotary buffer class coming up and we'll be using all the rotary buffers plus a lot of other cool tools...



Right now... there's a lot of really hot offline projects taking place behind the scenes so picture and typing time are very limited right now.

[BobbyG]

Did I ever tell you I just love rotary buffers?

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by BobbyG

Did I ever tell you I just love rotary buffers?

I still have my very first rotary buffer and I keep in in the studio and tell a little story to go with it at all my classes.



Side of buffer worn smooth after years of buffing out paint




Lego man on my keychain reflecting off worn area on buffer



Here's what the head looked of the buffer looked like before. It has a rough texture because the aluminum was cast in a sand mold