Random orbital polishers are a staple in detail work. 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division has reengineered the standard random orbital polisher to bring it into the refinishing business with the 3M™ Perfect-It™ Random Orbital Polishing System, allowing practically anyone to achieve a satisfactory finish.
“We have the tool, the compounds, the polishes, and the pads that all go together to work in one uniform system,” said Kevin Ansell, senior application engineer at 3M. “Some other companies may sell just the tool. Some companies may have just the liquids, polishes, and pads. We tried to come up with an entire standard operating procedure from start to finish to get the job done while using our system.”
This system provides everything you need to have a perfect finish every time. This approach is so simple even someone with little experience can use it.
“We've even talked to people that let their kids use this tool on their own personal vehicles,” said Ansell. “It has an incredibly quick learning curve. In less than five minutes, someone can be successful with their operation.”
Random Orbital Polisher Innovation
Common pain points when working with a rotary buffer involve the risk of burning through the paint if you do not pay close attention. The 3M™ Perfect-It™ Random Orbital Polishing System solves this problem by evenly distributing the heat and creating a consistent finish.
“Rotary can be pretty aggressive,” said Ansell. “It tends to heat up the panel faster, and if a technician is not skilled enough to recognize where scratches are, there could be scratches or swirls left over on the surface. A random orbital polisher cuts closer to the center of the pad and evenly distributes heat along the entire surface of the pad. It leaves a swirl-free finish rather than consistent circles along the entire surface.”
Along with the ability to provide a reliable finish, the action of the tool allows for more precise control and eliminates the need to wrangle with a buffer.
“A rotary buffer tends to control you, and it can whip around and go all over the panel,” said Ansell. “Whereas with the random orbital polisher, you're in full control of the system just by the way that the tool is moving. It's not running all over the place. You have full control of the tool as you're operating.”
While this type of tool is not new to the industry, its new versatility is quickly transforming the refinishing practice. Having equipment that is easy to learn and use enables even new techs to excel at their job and create reliable results.
“Anyone that's coming in fresh out of tech school — or maybe didn't even go to tech school — can pick up this system and learn it in a matter of minutes and be successful in their operation,” said Ansell.
For more information about the 3M™ Perfect-It™ Random Orbital Polishing System, visit: 3M.com/swirlfree
