There are a lot of differences and similarities between Rotary and DA Polishers. Rotaries are very powerful and aggressive and have a direct drive toll that spins in a perfect circle. As a result, you need to be cautious when working with contours and body seams, especially when using a foam cutting pad. Historically, rotary polishers have been the go-to option for body shops since they remove heavy paint defects and sanding marks. The pads used with this type of machine tend to be a little thicker and have a larger diameter. The larger the pad on a rotary, the more aggressive, the more heat and friction it creates, and the faster it goes. In the scheme of things, rotary polishers haven’t evolved too much in what they do. They have gotten a little lighter, offer different speed options, and currently have cordless options.
Da Polishers, like our MT300 DA Polisher, have a free, rotating spindle that oscillates and rotates at the same time. Historically, these types of machines have been more for applying polishes, waxes, and removing light defects. However, they have evolved with time where a DA can potentially remove heavy defects like sanding marks. One of the major benefits is that they aren’t as difficult to learn how to use. The discs used on Dual Action Variable Speed Polishers tend to be thinner, which is better for the transfer of power from the tool to the paint. Also, with the discs on a DA Polisher, the smaller the size, the more aggressive it is.
