Orbital, Random Orbital and Duel Action DA

N

Nochain

Promoted Users
So what is the actual difference and when do you use and not use?
Is a DA = Random Orbital?

Can I use my DA for final 3000 wet sand on my clear or should I do that by hand as I did all the other wet sanding?

What about polishing? Orbital or Random Orbital or DA?

I’ve got questions lol….
 
Random orbital (RO) will work better at rough flattening as it takes large rounding zig zag cuts. A dual action (DA) take small circular cuts and is better suited for finishing. I don't think I've ever used finer the 120 grit with my RO, 80 grit to 1000 grit on my 3/16" pattern DA, and 1200 - 5000 on my 3/32" pattern DA.
 
RenewAP said:
Random orbital (RO) will work better at rough flattening as it takes large rounding zig zag cuts. A dual action (DA) take small circular cuts and is better suited for finishing. I don't think I've ever used finer the 120 grit with my RO, 80 grit to 1000 grit on my 3/16" pattern DA, and 1200 - 5000 on my 3/32" pattern DA.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Was wondering if the DA is ok on my final 3000 cut on my universal clear or if that’s considered too aggressive and could leave ripple in the clear? I would think the 3000 is more of a polish at that point and shouldn’t be a problem but I just don’t do this frequently at all….
 
Nochain said:
So what is the actual difference and when do you use and not use?
Is a DA = Random Orbital?

Can I use my DA for final 3000 wet sand on my clear or should I do that by hand as I did all the other wet sanding?

What about polishing? Orbital or Random Orbital or DA?

I’ve got questions lol….
Click to expand...
A true dual action sander has a device to lock the sander so that it sands in a rotary position. Unlocked it sands with a random orbital pattern, National Detroit were the most popular DA's. This is a true DA sander:

www.johnsonautobodysupply.com

National Detroit DAQ6 Dual Action Sander

6
www.johnsonautobodysupply.com

Generally most DA's are usually an aggressive or normal orbit. 3/8"-3/16" Rarely will you find one with less than that.


A Random Orbital sander can only sand in one pattern, random orbital. It doesn't have a feature to lock the sander. RO sanders are available in orbits from 3/8"-3/32" 3/16" is the most common. They are popular because generally they are lighter and easier to handle than a traditional DA.

This is a typical 6" RO sander
www.toolsusa.com

Dynabrade 21039 6" Dynorbital-Spirit Random Orbital Sander (Central Vac-Ready)

Check out the deal on Dynabrade 21039 6" Dynorbital-Spirit Random Orbital Sander (Central Vac-Ready) at Tools USA
www.toolsusa.com


The term "DA" gets interchanged with all random orbital sanders. DA's were the first and the name stuck I guess. I'm guilty of calling a RO a DA.
 
Polishing you want to use a rotary tool designed for low speed. A rotary buffer. There are lots of choices out there. Here is a typical one made by Dewalt.


Using a orbital polisher to buff out color sanding is a waste of time. You need the aggressiveness of the rotary action in combination with the pad and compound.
 
Nochain said:
Was wondering if the DA is ok on my final 3000 cut on my universal clear or if that’s considered too aggressive and could leave ripple in the clear?
Click to expand...
Regular RO sander will work well. If you have a real DA it will work too. If you are using Trizact 3000 do it slightly wet.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
Polishing you want to use a rotary tool designed for low speed. A rotary buffer. There are lots of choices out there. Here is a typical one made by Dewalt.


Using a orbital polisher to buff out color sanding is a waste of time. You need the aggressiveness of the rotary action in combination with the pad and compound.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris I have the new HF Rotary 6 in DA unit. Same specs as the flex. That shows an rpm rating 160-480 rpm with an 8mm stroke. I think I am hearing that its ok to use the 3000 with this as my last wet sand after my final blocking of 2500.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8127.png
    IMG_8127.png
    171.8 KB · Views: 66
Last edited:
I use the Harbor Freight polisher with Trizact 3000 wet. You definitely want machine polish with this and not by hand.
 
Lizer said:
I use the Harbor Freight polisher with Trizact 3000 wet. You definitely want machine polish with this and not by hand.
Click to expand...
Hey Lizer that was my thinking but have little experience. I am doing 10k,15k, 2K and 2.5K wet by block/hand and plan to finish off 3K by that gear drive DA with a good interface pad. What do you and the rest of you guys think?
I enjoy this work and am not concerned about the time or labor it takes. It’s actually my mental therapy and helps me deal with American politics lol.
 
Nochain said:
Hey Lizer that was my thinking but have little experience. I am doing 10k,15k, 2K and 2.5K wet by block/hand and plan to finish off 3K by that gear drive DA with a good interface pad. What do you and the rest of you guys think?
I enjoy this work and am not concerned about the time or labor it takes. It’s actually my mental therapy and helps me deal with American politics lol.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly how I do it but I’d recommend adding a 1200 between the 1000 and 1500 or you’ll find you didn’t do well enough with the 1500.

I hate hand sanding and you have to sand it a lot more than you think or you’ll find rogue scratches.

This is the polisher I use for trizact.

www.harborfreight.com

5.7 Amp 6 in. Short-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander

Amazing deals on this 8Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
 
Lizer said:
That’s exactly how I do it but I’d recommend adding a 1200 between the 1000 and 1500 or you’ll find you didn’t do well enough with the 1500.

I hate hand sanding and you have to sand it a lot more than you think or you’ll find rogue scratches.

This is the polisher I use for trizact.

www.harborfreight.com

5.7 Amp 6 in. Short-Throw Random Orbit DA Polisher/Sander

Amazing deals on this 8Mm Random Orbit 6In Da Polisher/Sander at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
Click to expand...
Great thanks!
 
No expert here and a minority view I think. I used a Rupes random orbiter (it is a long throw different from most random oribiters) to cut and buff the SPI Euro clear after 1500 and 2000 wet. I thought the results came out great.
More info:



I do think, like most things, you need to follow the directions 100% as outlined in the 2nd link to get the good results claimed.

My 2 cents.
 
I think what the 2nd video missed is that body shops are typically working on fresh paint whereas detailers work on aged paint. Both cut in very different ways. Would have been nice to see a comparison on new and aged paint
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top