New Job, New Tools... That Scare Me

well i just interviewed yesterday for a job as a detailer at the local toyota dealership and i just have to pass a urine test to get the job (wont be a problem for me!) Anyhow, They use some stuff called CarGlo as their main products, including some kind of water spot remover and a couple other weird things i haven't heard of, (pics to follow when i start work). But the biggest thing is that they use a Makita rotary... and i am terrified. They also use wool pads. what advice can you guys give me on using one of these bad boys? i already asked the boss if i could have a hood off one of the junkers they have out back and he said i could. so what techniques do i need to be practicing? what pads should i tell him to order? what polishes? ect? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Buy a practice panel from the junkers and PRACTICE. Once you learn how to use it properly, it can be a great tool. Wool pads will cut faster as well. Lake Country pads, Menzerna Polishes. Start off slow.

 

I am with you there. I am going to get a Makita 9227C soon and I will be buying something from the junkyard to practice. From what i heard: less vibration, less need for pressure, and you wont be using the same foam pads since it spins on one circular motion. So wool pads seems strong now.

I am still new, so that is what i heard from others.

Just practice and you'll be fine! Good luck! :applause2:

 

Relax. Seriously.Go slow don't be afraid of it. Use low speeds get the feel of it from a junk body panel and enjoy the learning experience. I learned how to use one as a teenager at a carwash I worked at. Boss said here go buff that VAN with this 3M stuff and the rest is history. Congrats on your new job.
Seth

 

Congrats on the new job!!

Just practice, take your time, and you'll be ok. :thumb:

 

Watch Carlos's video on it, good stuff.:gidiup:

 

As the others have stated, keep your speed around 1000-1200 and you wont have any problems. I also agree with LC CCS pads ( Orange for cutting, white or green for polishing and black for jeweling. The 6.5" pads from Proper Auto Care are nice to work with) and Menz polishes. congrats on the job!

 

There is nothing to fear, rotary is just like a PC. Don't let the noise and speed intimidate you, yes start with a spare panel :nod: but just take your time take it slow and relax. I remember when I first started using my Metabo, boy was I ever nervous but really there is nothing to be nervous about. If anything wool is much, much easier to control and less chance of burning through the clear coat. Foam pads generate more heat then anything else, I'm more worried when using a foam pad then a wool pad.

Review the videos I posted, hopefully you'll find them helpfull..speaking of that I should post move polishing videos, can never have enough polishing videos I say :giggle:

 

Get a 3M backing plate. it makes the world of a difference!

 

Just take your time and be willing to learn!

 

Not to worry. These things have a way of working them selfs out. You can do this. No problem at all. You'll see...:thumb:

 

don't have a vice like grip on the machine. hold it lightly and guide the machine around with the hand that is on the back of the machine (near the trigger)
use one of your hands on either side of the big handle at the front and keep it in check

never use one hand only.
movements of 1 to 2 inches per second are perfect. keep it moving and dont spread the abrasives out too far (wont get the correction you desire)

keep the pad dead flat most of the time and very slightly angled when needed.

wool pads run cool but they slice paint whereas foam pads level

Warning - lake country white CCS pads at 1200 to 1800 rpm create the most heat of any paint and absorb alot of water and polish so working time may be less than other pads

when doing doors, hold the head of the machine with one hand and other at the very back of the machine
Or - hold it normally and have the machine in a horizontal position, not vertical

 

Since you work at a dealership and the chemical is not yours be very generous and you should be fine. I work for BMW and I tend put more chemical down so the wool pad doesn't dry up too quickly. What I also do is work one panel at a time and for every two panels spur the wool pad so that it's not all covered in the chemical your using. Hope that helps....other than that have fun.

 

thanks for all the awesome advice guys!!! I busted this thing out on the second day of work on a huge dodge 2500 cummins truck and MAN OH MAN is this thing great!! the guy who owns the dealership has a 70' AMC AMX sitting in the back back of the detail shop thats in awful shape (in the process of being restored) but i used it on one of the panels where it hadnt been washed in something like 15 years and holy cow! the luster was amazing! ill snap some pics at work tomorrow and post them on here, its really suprising to me because i didnt swirl the paint or anything! i'm gona have to get me one of these, griots random orbital will be for finishing work i think from now on!