Hi All,
Just got myself a rotary car polisher, was a bit of a bargain, and hard to say no at the price, it is however non Dual Action.....
Has speed settings from 1 - 6, and a whole new ball game to me as i have only used the twin handled buffers before.
so....has anyone got any tips as to how to get the best results?
I have a spare bumper which i use to practice many things on, so while im still getting used to it ill be giving that plenty of attention.
Had a quick go today with the Meg's 3 step, compound/polish/wax
My process was...

Compound - made sure surface was clean and dust free to avoin grit scratches, used on setting 3 was very impressed.

Polish - new sponge head - waffle, dab polish on pad and begin on number 1, was going well, turned up to number 3, speed was tricky to get used to......but i then started to get a residue build up which i just wiped away with a micro fibre.

Wax - new head, waffle, dab polish on pad, began on number 2, pretty much an instant return to residue which wouldnt 'buff'out.......

Where am i going wrong? what should i be doing?
Any tips much appreciated

Practice practice practice. Rotary machines are for pro's

Polish on speed 2 max, be really careful not to get heat into the panel. Wax by hand

Cheers Marc, thanks for the tip
Friend suggested having a spray bottle of water to hand to lightly mist the panel if it looks like drying out/getting warm.
does that sound right? call me daft(still learning) but wouldnt that affect the application of either the compound or the polish?

i heard same too. pro guy told me to not mess with those rotary polishers. could just do more bad then good. but if paint is old and scratched , i think i will try it too with mine.

After taking Marc's advice regarding Practice , Practice, Practice, i have been doing just that, as mentioned i have a spare front bumper for attempting ideas etc.
it is very old and has many scratches

[url=http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/smurf182/media/IMG-20150505-01812_zpsfus1l7ei.jpg.html][img]http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb441/smurf182/IMG-20150505-01812_zpsfus1l7ei.jpg[/img][/url]

so i have set about this one.

Process -
Step 1 - ultimate compound, speed number 2 with a waffle foam head, then buff with microfibre cloth.
Step 2 - polish with a polishing head on my bog standard twin handled halfords car polisher, i only have the one head for the rotary at the moment, more (3M) are on order. then buff with microfibre cloth.
Step 3 - hand application of ultimate liquid wax, then again buff with microfibre cloth.

Result.

[url=http://s1206.photobucket.com/user/smurf182/media/IMG-20150505-01814_zpssoi0wxr8.jpg.html][img]http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb441/smurf182/IMG-20150505-01814_zpssoi0wxr8.jpg[/img][/url]

i did have the issue of the rotary pulling away from me in any direction at first, this could be as i was aprehensive of 'burning' the paint, and the awkward position of the D handle, so i decided to take it off.
i then found i had much more control, and could apply a little more pressure and making sure i didnt have the full contact of pad to paint for no more than a second.
I'm not there yet, but i think im getting closer to having the confidence to tackling a full car

Any feedback or further tips much appreciated

Nice

Just remember what each step is trying to achieve and you're on the right track, which reading your post is where you are

When doing a car, mask shut lines, bits that you don't want to touch etc. think about the high points and curves, and how to approach them.
Always, always, go as gently as you can, and as aggressive as you need, especially when you first touch the car. try a small panel to make sure the products work with the paint - some soft sticky paints will pull that meguiar's compound right in and give you nightmares

worth trying on a metal panel, as it will react very differently to the bumper. I know it sounds daft, but find a scrap panel, buy it and work on it. burn the paint, go through, just so you can see how it happens, and you'll stand more chance of "not making that mistake again"

Thanks for the encouraging comment, at least i know im making the right steps, and in the right order too.
Does feel more controlable without the clumsy D handle on.
there is a scrappy near to where i work so i think i will call in there and see how much for a random metal panel, ive also got a bonnet in the garage too, but thats going back on if i ever sell so i can hang onto the carbon one

i think i may be updating this thread every now and again, but in the meantime, thanks again