Dual Action Polisher VS Rotary: What’s The Difference?

Last updated on January 19th, 2023 at 10:31 pm

dual action polisher or rotary which will you need?,  What they main difference between dual action polisher and rotary?  These and many more question around dual action polisher vs rotary polisher is what we will discuss today.

There are various brands of polishers in the market and they all have the same purpose. Their main aim is to correct the paint of your car and retain its glow and attractiveness.

There are different polishers models: a Dual Action, a Rotary buffer, and a forced rotation. Read also: 9 best dual action polishers for beginners under $100 & $300

You will have to use the model that works perfectly. The most common question when choosing a polisher is the difference between the dual action polisher and rotary polisher. If you are a beginner, then it is important to know the difference between these two types of the polisher.

Here are additional Topics we will cover in this post:

  • What is a rotary buffer?
  • How do you use a rotary buffer
  • what is a dual action polisher?
  • difference between dual action polisher and rotary?
  • dual action polisher vs rotary: which Should you buy?

Related Article: How to Use Dual Action Polisher

Dual Action Polisher or Rotary: Difference Between Dual Action Polisher and Rotary

Rotary Polishers are straightforward to use. Its head spins on an axis in a circular motion. This action builds up heat and friction which allows users to start correcting paint. Dual Action Polisher on the other hand spins in two different ways. Its head spins on a spindle in a concentric circular action.

The spindle then spins in a wide circular motion. This action results in a wobble which will then prevent friction and excess heat to build up. There is no need to worry as the built-up heat will still remove paintwork blemishes. Dual-action is the best choice if you are an amateur in car polishing.

What is a rotary buffer?

A rotary polisher is a machine used to polish cars. Unlike a dual polisher, it used a type of motion to create a polishing effect. It works very fast and also requires its users to have a bit of knowledge and expertise. It is considered by many as a senior-level machine.

This kind of polisher has a high cutting speed which makes it a great choice if you have limited time. Unlike a dual polisher, the rotary is very fast to use.

It also achieves wonderful results on a large surface. If you have a much-damaged surface to correct, the rotary polisher is a good choice for you.

Although its cutting power will benefit users, it also has its own disadvantages. If you are an amateur in car polishing, it will polish away paint if care is not taken.

This increases the possibility of rotary polisher burning and damaging paint. Unlike the dual-action, it has no free rotation movement, so this makes it impossible to stop it from moving.

How do you use a rotary buffer

To start working with a rotary polisher, you need to begin at a slow speed and increase it gradually. You will work between 1000 and 1200 RPM. Whatever you do, make sure you do not exceed 1800 RPM.

Once you begin, do not press too hard and make sure you keep the polishing moving to avoid burning. Avoid edges or corners with thin paint. You also need to avoid dragging the paint.

To do this, make sure the pad is flat against the paint or simply tilt the back of the pad upward. When you drag it, it creates hologram which will make your end result unattractive.

If you are using a rotary polisher for correcting paint, you can opt for the dual action for the final step to reduce the chances of over-polishing the paint. This is what most professionals do. The rotary is mostly used to remove blemishes from paint.

What is a dual action polisher?

A dual-action polisher is a tool used to polish the auto body. It is a kind of polisher that spins on an elliptical orbit which leads to heat distribution to a larger area making it safe for use. You can leave the spinning polisher on a single spot and it will not burn your paint.

Unlike the rotary polisher, there is no manual work to be done with a DA polisher. It does all the work with the round elliptical spinning.

All you have to do is move the polish across the paint on an up and down pattern. It also has a slow RPM which lets it take more time to cut through paint scratches and swirls.

Although it takes more time, the results are usually great. Lastly, the dual action polisher is very easy and safe to use. If you press the polisher hard against the surface of your car, it stops rotating to avoid burning the paint.

Difference between dual action polisher and rotary

The dual action polisher and the rotary polisher are both car polishers that give wonderful results. The major difference between them both is that one is for a beginner while the other is for professionals.

The reason for this is because the rotary needs to be handled by a person with the necessary skill to avoid damages. It can turn at higher speed and withstand high pressure.

This feature makes it the best machine for cutting. However, when these features are more, you can cut faster and even more than expected. This means that you can cut off a layer of paint and this will lead to damages.

When you press dual hard on the surface of a car, it stops rotating. This feature minimizes risk and any damages. It is very hard and almost impossible to burn paint with a Dual Action polisher unlike a rotary polisher.

The rotary polisher is best left for professionals. If you are new at polishing cars, then the Dual paint is the appropriate tool for you.

Dual-action polisher VS rotary: which should you buy?

It is normal to be confused about which kind of polisher to choose.

You should choose a Dual Action polisher if;

  • You are an amateur. It is very easy to use and also keeps you safe from burning paint
  • There is every chance that you will use it regularly to maintain your cars paint
  • You want to eliminate scratches or swirls from your paintwork.

You should choose a Rotary polisher if:

  • There are serious blemishes you want to get rid of.
  • You are experienced with using polishers.

FAQ:

What’s better DA or rotary polisher?

As it has been written above, choosing a dual polisher or rotary polisher depends on your level of expertise and what you are using it for.

Do I need a dual action polisher?

Are you an amateur in car painting? If you answer YES to that question, then you need a Dual polisher. It is safe and very easy to use. You do not risk damaging the paint of your car using it.

Can you burn paint with a dual action polisher?

No, the Dual action polisher is very safe to use. If you press it too hard on the body of the car, it stops rotating. This makes it difficult for it to do any damage to the paint.

How do you use a rotary buffer

Conclusion

In summary, this post explained the differences between a Dual Action polisher and a rotary polisher. You should be able to make your decision and know the right machine that is right for you.

I hope this post has helped you. If it has please share and don’t forget to book mark this article for reference.

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