somebody talk me out of a rotary!

[04mtngoat]

i know this has be discussed MULTIPLE times and gets old!
as the title says, i WANT (do not need) a rotary buffer. researched alot on several forums. liking the sound of a makita 9227c (can by new for $142). open to other makes and models. i probably detail about 10-15 cars a year along with maintaining my 3 vehicles. i use a pc and average around 7-8 hours for paint work a detail. i chose the pc because there is LESS of a chance of damage. never used a rotary before and content with the pc for the daily drivers i work on. looking for something faster though. love my pc and getting better with it. scared of burning paint with a rotary espicially if the car is not mine. should i step up to a rotary or try to perfect my pc process? my conifdence is increasing in my abilities but i am reserved to buy a rotary. i dont know if it will give me a better final result.

[BobbyG]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Personally, I think you should have the Makita 9227 as part of your detailing arsenal. The 9227 is in my opinion the best rotary on the market for detailing and is you can get it for $142 do it!

You will not regret the decision.

[roushstage2]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIDs_m8WRA

[FRS]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Good encouragement there.

I pesonaly don't have one but believe it's not a rocket science to acquire the skill.

[Erik Mejia]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Get it! Also, get yourself a hood stand (about $30.00) and a practice hood. The rotary is something that needs to be respected, not feared. It can work wonders in the hands of a competent, mindful user. Buy it, but don't take it to any paint you care about too soon. I suggest you practice, practice, practice... and practice, until the cows come home, and until you start to feel comfortable and gain the hang of it. The rotary can cause some major damage in the wrong hands, but if you practice enough and acquire the skills to use it properly and use some care, you too can learn how to use this machine without issue. No one single detailer was born with a rotary in their hand, it was a skill set that was acquired through practice and patience.

If your don't like it, there will always be plenty of those who will gladly take it off your hands, just keep it in good condition.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Have you considered getting yourself a FLEX DA? I just got mine and it's SO MUCH BETTER than the porter cable.

Much more powerful and corrects quite a bit quicker while still having the safety of the dual action motion but the power of a direct drive instead of a clutch.

I also don't believe the Rotary to be rocket science and will get myself one one of these days, but I haven't jumped into it yet. I would certainly recommend continuing to bring your porter cable to details though to use with the finishing polish to insure that you are removing any holograms that were left behind from the rotary.

[Still Learnin]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Makita 9227.... enough said... and like Erik Mejia mentioned. get a practice hood.. I have one and when I get bored and feel like buffing out key scratches I put my ipod on and go to town on the hood.. good luck

[04mtngoat]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

i have done ALOT of research on several forums. alot of talk about flex da's. im sure the are very good machines and stronger than a pc but i have a da. if i get a rotary i have the best of both worlds and only one learning curve. makita seems to be THE polisher of choice for me with soft starting, lower rpm (safer?), reliablity, etc. i have friends () that primarily use the dewalts and are tough machines. all i can find on the flex machines are people on other forums giving rave reviews. not familiar with flex as a company. just cautious about things i do not know. if you have any links or info please send and ill reseach more. i trust more info on this forum than any other!

[roushstage2]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Good encouragement there.

He wanted someone to talk him out of it.

[tguil]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

I have a Makita 9227. Bought it four years ago. Used it once. Was careful and had no problems first time out. Didn't practice on a hood or anything else. I simply do not need to use it on my two truck or my Harleys. My pc "gits-r-done" just fine. However, I'm keeping the Makita "just in case".

Oh, I just detailed my sister's dark metallic green Jeep Liberty. She does *not* take care of her jeep much at all. All it took was clay, ColorX and my pc.

Tom

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

I personally have not had any problems just using the d/a.

You have to ask yourself this. Do I need a Makita, or do I want one?

If it is a want, guess what. You don't need it. Problem solved

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

So I'm just curious, as I've never used a rotary...

How much time can be saved on the initial polishing/compounding stage using a rotary versus using a DA? 25% less time? 50% less time?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: somebody talk me out of a rotary!

Just bought a Makita and I'm itching to use it. I'm even thinking of testing it our for a mild correction on my soft Honda paint next month (D151+finishing pad at 900 RPM).

Just be aware that the rotary does not behave like a DA. You will read some descriptions that the rotary "walks away" on you, as opposed to a DA which tends to be more controllable. Some don't like this aspect.