meguiars 4" polishing pads

[Ron500]

Hi there,

i have a question abut 4" polishing pads, i would like to know at which speed are these used, is is same as per 7" pads, like 4-5 for defect removal etc, or would it be lower speed due to size, please advise,

thanks.

[Marc08EX]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

I use the same speed as the 7" pads but I'm very careful not to let any heat build up by constantly moving the polisher. I don't stay in one spot for a long time.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

Due to the fact that you're concentrating all the energy of the DA into the smaller space of a 4" pad, you will gain cut overall with everything else being equal - same liquid, same speed, same pressure, same size work area, etc. This is where people sometimes run into trouble, because they've read online that it's "impossible to damage your paint with a DA buffer". But you can create quite a bit of heat if you get overzealous with small pads, especially on bumper covers or other non ferrous substrates. Urethane bumper covers in particular don't dissipate heat like a steel or aluminum body panel will, and we've seen cases of people literally twisting the paint off when getting too aggressive a small area.

These small pads can be fantastic when used properly. As Marc points out, just keep the pad moving and check for heat build up. It only takes a second to put your hand down on the spot you just buffed - if it's getting warm, move on. If it's suddenly hot to the touch, you'd better make some adjustments to your technique, and quickly.

[AlexMoon]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

I used the 4" pads with the same speed settings but I found the DA to be very unstable, probably due to the smaller surface area. I turned the speed down 2 notches and it was manageable but still difficult to use. I'm still trying to get a feel for the DA so I wouldn't be surprised if I was the problem.

[Ron500]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

thanks guys,

like to point out i tried it out, and experienced same problem as alexmoon, in which there is unstability, the pad just seems to slip off everywhere, i used same conditions as big pad , speed, product etc, i have to hold with much care other wise goes all over the pace, i think it was due to this reason or something else some marring was caused, can you pelase advise,

also can you comment on how to actually attatch 3" backing plate to da, i used some intellect and did it in a way i think is correct, which was to attatch extension bolt provided (forgot size) inbetween backing plate and da, unlike the standard 6" backing plate which already comes with a pre included
attatchment bolt inside the plate, can you please advise on these matters, many thanks.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

Due to the fact that you're concentrating all the energy of the DA into the smaller space of a 4" pad, you will gain cut overall with everything else being equal - same liquid, same speed, same pressure, same size work area, etc. This is where people sometimes run into trouble, because they've read online that it's "impossible to damage your paint with a DA buffer". But you can create quite a bit of heat if you get overzealous with small pads, especially on bumper covers or other non ferrous substrates. Urethane bumper covers in particular don't dissipate heat like a steel or aluminum body panel will, and we've seen cases of people literally twisting the paint off when getting too aggressive a small area.

These small pads can be fantastic when used properly. As Marc points out, just keep the pad moving and check for heat build up. It only takes a second to put your hand down on the spot you just buffed - if it's getting warm, move on. If it's suddenly hot to the touch, you'd better make some adjustments to your technique, and quickly.

+1 Happened to me with a 4 inch pad, slightly burned the clear coat on a fender lip trying to remove a scratch. I would start out with a lower setting and work your way up.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

thanks guys,

like to point out i tried it out, and experienced same problem as alexmoon, in which there is unstability, the pad just seems to slip off everywhere, i used same conditions as big pad , speed, product etc, i have to hold with much care other wise goes all over the pace, i think it was due to this reason or something else some marring was caused, can you pelase advise,

also can you comment on how to actually attatch 3" backing plate to da, i used some intellect and did it in a way i think is correct, which was to attatch extension bolt provided (forgot size) inbetween backing plate and da, unlike the standard 6" backing plate which already comes with a pre included
attatchment bolt inside the plate, can you please advise on these matters, many thanks.

The instability you experienced is going to happen when using a small pad on a DA simply due to the nature of the movement of the pad. A thinner pad, like our DA Microfiber Discs, won't wander quite so much, but they still require a bit of a technique adjustment compared to larger pads.

Our 3" backing plate ships with multiple attachments so that it can be used on a variety of tools. What you did is correct; as long as you select the appropriate adapter for your tool it really doesn't matter if you mount that on the tool first on onto the backing plate first. You should be using the washer supplied with kit, however, locking it down on the backing plate with the adapter. You may notice that upon removal of the backing plate the adapter remains mounted to the tool. A small adjustable wrench will make removal easier or you may want to look at putting a drop of Locktite or similar onto the threaded end that goes into the backing plate. But that is the ONLY side you'd want to apply such a locking compound to.

[FRS]

Re: meguiars 4" polishing pads

Hi there,

i have a question abut 4" polishing pads, i would like to know at which speed are these used, is is same as per 7" pads, like 4-5 for defect removal etc, or would it be lower speed due to size, please advise,

thanks.

This happened on speed 4 ... i believe now it was a bad batch.



Otherwise, 4" are my favorite, nearly no use for 7" anymore as 4" has the right size for the power of the G220.



Also, I had good experience with even speed 5 with UC .. just dont stay for too long, for the abovenemtioned reasons ( heat, etc ..)..