Destructive Polishing - Don't get clearcoats hot! by Mike Phillips



There are a number of reasons why I write an article, sometimes it's to share a tool. Sometimes it's to share a technique. Sometimes it's because a topic continues to pop-up so instead of typing out an answer (over and over again), I'll simply write an article for the topic and then when the topic comes up, instead of typing out an answer I'll share the link to the article. This is one of those instances.


Also because I predict with the introduction of the Cordless FLEX rotary polisher and the RUPES rotary polisher, (plus the FLEX PE14 a few years ago) there is going to be more interest in buffing using rotary polishers. So because the topic of using rotary polishers has come up and with it low rpm abilities I'm writing this article because it's tied to these to things.


Back when I wrote The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine, this was an updated version of The Art of Detailing and in this second edition I included a dedicated chapter on the tool the rotary buffer. Now days we're calling it a rotary polisher but same thing, a gear-driven tool that spins a pad in a single direction. Polisher/Buffer, Tomato/Tomato. (hopefully you can figure out the tomato/tomato pronunciation so what I typed just make sense. If you don't know what I'm talking about ask someone.


So here's the deal, when I wrote the chapter on the rotary buffer, like all the chapters and information, I wanted to be sure it is accurate. So when it came to the topic of temperature ranges for how hot is acceptable to get a modern clearcoat paint finish, I checked with people that I respected and are also very smart.


From page 124, middle column.



Temperature to avoid

I asked to respected chemists, both good friends of mine, as well as two experts on paint technology and buffing procedures , for their opinions on what are the upper temperature levels to avoid while machine buffing. Their answers were all in a range from 160 degrees Fahrenheit to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.


There's more info on temperature and rotary buffers in that chapter plus the entire books is cram packed with tons of info so if you want to know more - get the book.


Here's some pictures of the book and that section....










Assuming, and I hate assuming but I do trust both of the chemists and the two industry experts, assuming you're not supposed to get the paint hotter than 180 degrees when using a rotary buffer, it's important to monitor surface temp when buffing. This isn't hard to do just feel the paint and go by what I share in this article,



Fight or Flight Method for Gaging Surface Temperature



This is REALLY IMPORTANT if you're buffing a small section of paint because you can heat the paint and the underlying panel up very quickly. When buffing a 2' x 2' area it's not as much of a problem because while you're buffing one side of this large section the paint you just buffed is cooling down. Not so when doing spot repair - so feel the paint and be careful.


This is also why it's "nice" not mandatory but nice to have a rotary polisher that offers low rpms for buffing. The FLEX PE14 and the cordless version dial down to 400 RPM when using the trigger only and in locked position dial down to 600 RPM. The RUPES Rotary Polisher with it's progressive trigger theoretically can as low as 1 RPM but in reality, my guess is the lowest RPM that you can maintain with your finger on the trigger is around 100 RPM - if you want to try to hold the trigger in a way that the electricity is "just" beginning to flow to the motor. This is not really realistic and you don't want to buff at 1 RPM or even 100 RPM. I typed this because the online detailing world is filled with a handful of anal retentive people that love to argue of minutia.




Here's my review for the corded FLEX PE14

Review: FLEX PE14 Rotary Polisher by Mike Phillips



Here's my review for the cordless FLEX PE14

Battery Time - FLEX Cordless Polishers - Real World Detail by Mike Phillips at Autogeek



Here's my review for the RUPES LHR 19E Rotary Polisher

Review: RUPES BigFoot LHR 19E Rotary Polisher by Mike Phillips at Autogeek



ALL of the above reviews contain a TON of information and pictures to help you decide which rotary polisher is best for you.


Jus be careful and don't get the paint too hot.