This is how I use a rotary polisher with a 3m foam pad for a moderate cutting phase, post wool step. I prefer to do my initial cut with a wool pad.. but I’ll come back and refine my wool passes more with a foam pass. I will come back with a DA polish to promise me no potential holograms returning. In a shop cranking out multiple cars a day and week, it’s insurance to know that we can do our thing with the rotary and finish with the DA hologram free. If you get your technique down, you could get away without holograms worth needing a DA to finish. But having both machines is the best ticket.

Small machines are cleaner, but post higher risk for burning. Large machines are faster, but messier as you increase size when operating in tighter spaces. Make the choice to mask rubbers or plastics surrounding the pillar area. - start with a standard compound ( Meguiars 110 ), wool pad or microfiber. - finish with a standard polish and rupes yellow foam pad. ( Meguiars 210 ) You will struggle only using foam… as foam does not “ cut “ as aggressively as a microfiber or wool pad. Personally, I suggest rupes microfiber/coarse wool… speed 4-5. Few passes until you have an even haze. Then come back with your polish and a foam pad… don’t rush this… many detailers will assume 1-2 passes and done… nothing is wrong with pass 3-4, slower speed to ensure full refinement… ( sometimes you can miss this step and see the haze in the sunlight, post detail ) a panel prep works wonders.