Quick Cyclo Demo...it can correct more than you think !

Smoke · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008

I got my cyclo a few days ago and went right to work testing it. I figured the cyclo would be a simple "One Step" and finishing polish machine only and that any real correction work would need to be done using my rotary, but I was wrong. I took out my trusty test panel today and wanted to see just how much correction power the Cyclo and Gloss It polishes had.

First let me say I really like this machine. Its smooth, balanced and leaves a hologram free finish even after heavy correction...plus one handed polishing is a breeze. As an owner of two very popular machines already (Flex 3401 and Makita 9227) I will say the cyclo impressed me. The whole time I was comparing it to the Flex (a powerful RO) and the Makita (a high speed rotary) and it definatley held its own. Yes of course the raw power of the rotary is far more than the cyclo but with that extra power and speed comes more heat, friction and holograms...which can be more of a hassel than swirls themselves.

Now onto the test...

I swirled up one section of the panel with a stiff bristle carpet brush using heavy pressure.

This is what I was left with

The swirls were pretty heavy and as you can see there are many RDS(random deep scratches) left in the finish.

I knew it would take an agressive combo to correct this so out with the orange pads and Gloss it Extreme cut

The pads were brand new so I used a little extra polish to prime them

And now I dry spread Extreme cut evenly acorss the panel to reduce splatter when I turned the machine on

After spreading the polish and a few passes

The end result after ONLY 1 hit of Extreme cut and the cyclo

A very good amount of defect was removed, still some RDS were left but it was to be expected, so far I was super impressed.

I made sure to apply a good amount of pressure when working extreme cut so I could polish out the deeper defects and as it began to breakdown further I lightened up the pressure and refined the finish. I would say after only 1 hot of EC and the cyclo using orange pads I achieved 70% correction, around 85% in some of the areas without as many RDS.

Now onto removing the finer scratches I went to Evolution cut and the yellow pads. I would have gone to green pads because this techinically would be the finishing stage of polishing but I needed some more bite from the pad if I was going to remove even more defects so I used a yellow pad instead.

After using Evolution cut

After an IPA wipedown I made sure there was no filling and carefully inspected the finish. I would say it was 90% perfect, the only exeptions being a few deep deep RDS which I wasnt able to polish out.

This was a bit of an "extreme situation" being as the swirls I induced were from stiff brushes and not regular washing towels etc. If I was going for 100% correction on this bad of a finish and used my rotary I would have choosen a wool cutting pad - either gloss it white lambswool or edge yellow with extreme cut BUT the only problem would be the left over nasty holograms. With the Cyclo I dont have to worry about that and still I was able to achieve a 90% perfect finish in only 2 steps.

So from this

To this

....In 2 steps using a Cyclo

DetailWerkz · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008

NICE!! I told you how great the Cyclo is. I love it. I have been doing my PC with the 7424 for almost 6 years and now that I have the Cyclo I look back at how long I would spend with the 7424 and think about how quickly I could have done the PC with the Cyclo!

It is really a great machine. I only wish they made one with a toggle speed selector like what other machines have.

Mrgloss · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008

Great Write up smoke! Many detailer s don't know the full potential of this awesome and underrated polisher. Once you get feel for the machine you will be amazed how close you can get to a high-speed (orbit). I look forward to your upcoming results

damon@tirerack · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

GREAT review. I no longer have my fear of orange pads and Extreme Cut used together.

One more question on the IPA wipedown. Are you using straight 70% IPA solution bought from a store and poured right into a spray bottle, or 70% MIXED 70/30 with water in a spraybottle.

Thanks.

Smoke · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon@tirerack

GREAT review. I no longer have my fear of orange pads and Extreme Cut used together.

One more question on the IPA wipedown. Are you using straight 70% IPA solution bought from a store and poured right into a spray bottle, or 70% MIXED 70/30 with water in a spraybottle.

Thanks.

Thanks Damon. I use 91% Isopropyl alc. from CVS and dilute it 50:50 with distilled water in a sprayer bottle. You can use 70% IPA and do a 70/30 dilution, doesnt make much of a difference. I reccomend always using distilled water.