I am finally giving up the good fight....F&*% the PC

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Mar 29, 2008 | 12:04 PM

IanB

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Joined: Jan 2004

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I am finally giving up the good fight....F&*% the PC

So, after an hour, working on the same area, with 6+ applications of 1Z extra, I can still see defects that seem to be uncorrectable. I can't stand the amount of time I am wasting on this effort. Polishing is really hard work with the PC, and I am VERY MUCH thinking that rotary is the way to go. Who else is thinking or thought the same thing, and what prompted you to reach this 'epiphany'?

IB

Picture url while I get my FTP program working...sorry for the moment...<ul><li><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ianbennett/AudiDetailing/photo#5183256901201936706">http://picasaweb.google.com/ianbennett/AudiDetailing/photo#5183256901201936706</a</li></ul>

Mar 29, 2008 | 12:31 PM

Mark RS4

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Joined: Jan 2007

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I've had the same experience....

I detailed my black RS4 last weekend to get rid of swirls and most of the car came out perfect. There are some spots that still have some scratches/swirls after 2 -3 passes. I used a PC with a yellow pad and Menzerna IP, followed by a white pad and Menzerna 85RD. The shine is amazing and most people probably wouldn't notice the swirls, but now that I've polished the paint, I notice the bad spots. Plus it took me about 10 hours to do the car. I'm going to by a rotary and do the major panels with a rotary (hood, doors) with a white or orange CCS pad and IP and will follow that with the PC and 85RD. I like the speed of applying the final finish with the PC though vs. applying by hand. I also like the safety of using the PC with 4" pads in the tight contours, which are plentiful on an RS4.

Mar 29, 2008 | 12:44 PM

IanB

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4" is all I use, supposed to have more 'power' than a 6" pad??

But doesn't matter, I notice when it isn't 100%...so, I guess I need a 100% solution. Rotary here I come.

IB

Mar 29, 2008 | 01:34 PM

tjberb

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Joined: Jun 2000

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feel the same way

After spending a solid weekend (15+ hrs) on a car with the PC and still seeing defects, I get pretty discouraged. I'm just afraid of using anything more than a PC; chances of screwing up are greater.

I wish some of the pros that post here were willing to do road trips. Let them do the heavy rotary work once a year and allow me to continue piddling around with the PC.

Ian if you take the next step, please share your experience here!

Mar 29, 2008 | 02:15 PM

Mark RS4

Audiworld Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2007

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The question is which rotary?

I've got a cheap WEN 7" rotary that I use to polish my boat and it doesn't have sufficient power. It bogs down and doesn't maintain a constant speed. I've been researching online and Phil uses a Metabo rotary. Some of the pros use DeWalt or Mikita. The Metabo looks light and easy to use, but after the PC experience, I'm worried it might be to much of a toy. There are videos on YouTube that show each of the machines in use. I wish I could try each one out. The DeWalt is a classic but is heavy.

Mar 29, 2008 | 08:39 PM

muzzy996

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Menzerna PO106 followed by PO85RD would probably be better . . .

I've been leaning towards getting a Flex XC3401VR though. Polishing power is much more than a PC and yet not as dangerous as a rotary.

Only issue I've seen with these on the forums is that they need to be used with even pressure because of the proprietary backing plate design.<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yht1uHJLNlQ">check this out . . .</a></li></ul>

Mar 29, 2008 | 09:36 PM

06A8

AudiWorld Senior Member

Joined: May 2006

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the rotary hard to use factor is just played up by average detailers who want your money :)

take a saturday or sunday off, remember to keep it flat on a flat surface, use the 12-4 oclock quadrant for curves, dont have to dial it up more than 1500 rpm etc etc and you get yourself a perfect finish. very useful websites such as autopia are a good place to learn the basics