For almost two decades, I’ve been immersed in the world of car paint correction and polishing, personally working on close to 5,000 vehicles. Over this extensive period, I’ve experimented with virtually every type of car polisher system available. While I still occasionally employ a 200mm rotary polisher from brands like Hitachi or Makita, paired with a twisted wool pad, this is reserved exclusively for tackling the most demanding paintwork imperfections.
Beyond these heavy-duty tasks, nothing I’ve encountered rivals the performance and versatility of the Cyclo twin head polisher. My personal Cyclo, a testament to its durability, is a 15-year-old 110V model, expertly powered via a step-down transformer in my 240V workshop. This machine has been consistently reliable, never faltering in its operation.
The secret to the Cyclo’s effectiveness lies in its 8mm orbit. This orbit size strikes a perfect balance: it’s aggressive enough to efficiently correct paint when necessary, yet refined enough to consistently produce a swirl-free finish during polishing. It excels in paint correction, offering a more controlled and gradual approach compared to a rotary polisher, without a significant compromise in speed. In my extensive use, I’ve only ever buffed through the clear coat twice with this machine – a remarkable outcome considering the often-challenging paint conditions of the vehicles I work on.
For the vast majority of vehicles, unless subjected to extreme environmental fallout and neglect, clay bars are often redundant. Modern polishing pads effectively eliminate the need for claying in many scenarios.
To maximize the Cyclo’s potential, I recommend utilizing three distinct sets of foam pads. While I personally use locally manufactured pads, genuine Cyclo pads are also reputable, albeit pricier. High-quality pads from other brands are equally suitable. A well-rounded set includes hard pads for the initial cutting stage, medium hardness pads for polishing, and soft foam pads for the final finishing touches. These pads should be paired with a quality cutting compound. I favor 3D Extra Cut as a compound, but Meguiar’s offerings are also highly regarded. For the subsequent polishing stages, I rely on Gelson T47 for lighter paint colors and T57 for darker shades. These polymer polishes are exceptional at eliminating even the finest scratches and provide extended protection, approaching ceramic coating performance without the associated complexities. I’ve moved away from traditional car waxes, finding they lack the longevity and the superior gloss and protection offered by high-quality polymer polishes.
