For two decades, I’ve honed my skills in car painting and polishing, working on nearly 5,000 vehicles. While I still employ a 200mm rotary polisher with a twisted wool pad for heavy-duty tasks, the Cyclo dual head polisher reigns supreme for everything else. My 15-year-old 110V model, powered by a step-down transformer from 240V mains, has proven consistently reliable.
The Cyclo’s Superiority in Paint Correction
The Cyclo’s key advantage lies in its 8mm orbital action. This orbit strikes the perfect balance – large enough for effective cutting when necessary, yet refined enough to deliver a swirl-free finish during polishing. This feature makes it exceptional for paint correction. It’s almost as fast as a rotary polisher, but with significantly enhanced control and gradual cutting action. In my experience, I’ve only buffed through the paint twice using this machine, a testament to its precision considering the often poor condition of the vehicles I work on.
Modern Polishing: Beyond Clay Bars
Unless a car has endured prolonged outdoor exposure and heavy fallout, clay bars are largely obsolete. Modern polishing pads effectively replace them, offering superior cleaning and surface preparation.
Foam Pad System for Optimal Results
The Cyclo performs best with a three-set foam pad system: hard for cutting, medium for polishing, and soft for finishing. While I use locally made pads, genuine Cyclo pads and other reputable brands also provide excellent results.
Pairing Pads with Premium Compounds
These pads should be coupled with a high-quality cutting compound. I personally favor 3D Extra Cut, but Meguiar’s products are also highly commendable. For the subsequent polishing stages, I use Gelson T47 for lighter colors and T57 for darker shades. These polymer polishes excel at removing even the finest scratches and offer long-lasting protection, rivaling ceramic coatings without their drawbacks. In my experience, wax simply lacks the durability, gloss, and protection of a quality polymer sealant.
