Back to using a rotary.

[HateSwirls]

Good afternoon Geeks

30 years ago I picked up my first rotary, pretty much all we had back then along with wool pads and 3M products and Meg's.
I continued to use my rotary until about two years ago then started using a DA, it felt better then working with my big wheel due to age, yeah I got older. Lol

But lately I've been doing more cars for people, getting paid to correct their cars.
One of the trucks I had to do was really trashed, using my DA took longer, more passes, slower arm speed, etc.
So I took out my wheel and some compound and started buffing it out, the first thing I noticed was how much faster it was and better results so I continued using my rotary.
Saves on the arms because you use little pressure, it flashes much faster, wipe off and move on to the next panel.

Only difference now compared to back in the day is the foam and MF pads we have now, much improved.
It can and does cut my work almost in half so why not use the big wheel?

I still have my 3M double sided wool pad for those trashed finishes but in most cases not needed.
Still plan on using my DA just less of it

[FUNX650]

I once was a rotary user...gradually started getting away from them in the mid-1980's.
(Gave my last one away a couple years ago.)

Going forward from there...DA's seemed a safer bet for me to use on OEM BC/CC.
But the extra effort/time involved in "paint corrections", let alone factoring in their so unwonted vibrations,
has caused their usage by me nowadays to become near prohibitive.

That's why the RUPES line-up of polishers sound so tempting.
Either those..or a lightweight Flex...if I'm to continue taking care of our vehicles as I once did.



Bob

[Rockeey]

I like to use both. I can whiz around a vehicle with a rotary and get most defects knocked out much quicker than using a DA. I like to then go back around with my DA to pull out whatever remaining defects there are and create a nice swirl free gloss. The only thing I still battle with is slinging product all over the place with the rotary....never fails

[greatwhitenorth]

My rotary seems to be used for spinning pads dry after washing them more than anything haha. Since using my flex3401 I haven't had much need for a rotary. I'm working on 99% factory paint too, safety first!

[VISITOR]

so many options these days and you gotta use what's right for the job...

[Pureshine]

If you can get a hologram free finish then your good to go

[TundraPower]

I learned on rotary and used one for years. I bought a new Dewalt two years ago for 80% off from a body shop. They couldn't get rid of it. No one wanted it. I use it now and then for old time sake. But I truly believe Rupes is the final nail in the rotary's coffin.

[davidc]

I learned on rotary and used one for years. I bought a new Dewalt two years ago for 80% off from a body shop. They couldn't get rid of it. No one wanted it. I use it now and then for old time sake. But I truly believe Rupes is the final nail in the rotary's coffin.

I have not used the Rupes but I kind of doubt anything beats a rotary and wool pad on fiberglass. Am I mistaken ?.

Dave

[TundraPower]

I have not used the Rupes but I kind of doubt anything beats a rotary and wool pad on fiberglass. Am I mistaken ?.

Dave

Try one and see

[Andr3wilson]

IMHO, a DA MF pad cannot come close to the cutting power of a DA and rotary. If you are doing more than one stage polish, use a shovel and not a spoon to dig a hole. DA is great for finishing on the other hand.