Jason, thanks for submitting this great question as I’m sure a lot of the blog readers will be interested as well.
Hi,
How do you avoid creating holograms when applying your finish polish with a rotary? I read a few articles that states applying a final polish with DA is the best method to get a hologram free finish. But isn’t it true that applying a final polish like PO85RD with a rotary yields better results than applying with a DA? I read some of your articles that you finish with a rotary and yield amazing results. So how did you achieve a hologram-free finish with a rotary?
Thanks,
Jason
Jason-
Creating the best finish possible all starts with the proper pad/polish/speed combination. Also knowing the paint you are working with is a big bonus. While one manufacturers paint may finish down perfectly with one process, another may be completely different. To best explain, I’ll do a walk through of what I do when finishing down on the Makita rotary after doing more aggressive steps before hand.
My most used finishing polish on the rotary for me would be Menzerna 106FA. It has a light cut with a nice work time and is very clean to use. Now depending on the type of vehicle I am working on will determine if I use a white pad (harder paints) or black pad (softer paints) to finish down with. I will apply two drops on the pad and make a pass or two at 900 RPM’s, then bumping up to 1200, then 1500 for a few passes then eventually making the same path back down. All of this takes place while keeping very light and even pressure across the face of the polishing pad, using slow and controlled arm movement, and keeping the pad as flat as possible to the paint. When you see others “tilting” the pad that is primarily used for a cutting action especially in those hard to reach areas where keeping the pad flat will not reach. When you come to those areas when finishing, slow the speed down and use less pressure to finish out with. Another key is to make sure your pad is clean and completely dry.
This all comes with time and practice and knowing what works for you. I wish you the best of luck. If you or anyone else has any questions or comments, please submit in the comment box below.
Thanks,
DJ Mayo