Rotary vs Random?

[rkdiddy]

I'm sure if I have to ask the difference I'm not ready for a Rotary...however I'm curious from a detailing stand point why you would use one over the other.

I get operationally how they're different but I'm confused to why someone would use a Rotary over a Random Orbital.

I know Phil uses the Metabo and says how great it is, but I'm curious what makes it better than the PC?

Grouse...Phil???

[Mike@Startup]

The orbital, doesn't have power to make it spin, it basically just shakes back & forth. A rotary spins only.

A orbital is like a really fast hand polish. It's hard to ruin, or remove much paint. A Rotary will cut the paint, & heat up, it's far more abrasive. So for light details where the paint is in good shape, a orbital will work fine, but if you have deep scratches, you need to use the Rotary.

Rotaries work much faster, and thus take a lot less time to get the same result over a orbital.

If you are a nubie, stay away from a rotary, you will do more damage then good.

[Grouse]

I will add to that.

On extremely hard clears like audi and ceramic clear coats from MB, lotus or even some of the older bmw (ie the z3 i finished this weekend.) even a rotary will be sorely pressed to give quick results.

If you take a look at the 2004 nogaro s4 i did, (post is in this forum). I spent 10 hours in cut/compounding phase and 3 hours in polish phase using a porter cable RO. A rotary would have cut that down to 5-6 hours for both. Each of these is a tool, for a specific set of purposes. Depending on products, process, desired look, time, and funds you will use one or the other.

I grew up using a milwaukee 17lb 1750 rpm (one speed) rotary with wool pads. It was all i used. When i started my buisness i stepped down to the Porter cable. I did so to learn it. i spent the better part of a year only using a PC. I think for most people a PC will fill every need. Yes it may take a bit longer, but it can do what you need it to do.

[rkdiddy]

Great...thank you for the explanations. Looks like I will stick with my trusty PC.[:D]

[DetailersDomain]

pretty much what they both said[:D]

[Mike@Startup]

Oh, one more thing, Orbitals, don't sling product all over the place like a rotary! So less after polish clean up. It seams like rotary uses more product & uses more pads.

[DetailersDomain]

If you are using the rotary correctly you won't sling at all either. But yes if the rotary is being used incorrectly you will get some slinging.

[Fobia]

get some panel from the junkyard.. that has paint and a clear.. and practice with that with a rotary.. its hard to get good results not using one.. on audi/german cars.. unless you want to spend a long time. .. and rotary arn't that scary.. just get some proper knowledge and you should be fine.