Do I Really Need More Pads!?

[gjohn28]

Just curious as to how many and what type of DA buffing pads the average enthusiast/hobbyist has?

Seems every time I go up on the ADS website, I find myself rationalizing why I need more pads. I've already got 4 polishing and 4 finishing, but am thinking I really need to get a couple more polishing, i.e., 6 & 4. My thinking is if the average car takes 2-3 polishing pads, I would always have at least one set ready to use in the event the other set was dirty/being washed.

Does this make sense or am I just rationalization my addiction?

[gb387]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

Well to me sounds like you have a good supply... thats about what I have. I use on polishing and one finishing pad per car. Not sure what others do but I have only found a need for one pad of each per step (Cleaner/polishing pad, Polish/polishing or finishing pad, Wax/finishing pad) per car.

[gjohn28]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

Thanks, Brandon.

Once they're washed do you use them for different products or dedicate them to only one product?

[gb387]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

Thanks, Brandon.

Once they're washed do you use them for different products or dedicate them to only one product?

Once they are washed I use them for different products... never had a problem in the 5 years or so I have been doing it. Once you start buying more products the pads get a little spendy so I had to find a more economical way to use the pads I had on hand.

[Sal329]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

Pads and MF towels you can never have too many

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

I dedicate 2-4 pads per product that I use. I mark each pad and when the pad I am using gets to saturated to properly correct the paint I pull out a clean dry pad and move on. I have about 2+ dozen pads at this time. I feel it is better to have more pads then to stop detailing to wash out a pad and reuse a wet/damp pad. Just my 0.02

Andrew

[Chop]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

....when the pad I am using gets to saturated to properly correct the paint I pull out a clean dry pad and move on.

What are some visual/feel indicators for a saturated pad

1. pad gumming
2. pad feels wet
3. pad is dusting
4. other
Just wondering ....

[Jokeman]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

I prolly have 40 pads and 300 microfibers. But I also have issues. I like to have stuff "instock." I do prolly 5 cars, 3 times a year and buy APC, etc in the 5 gallon jug.

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

What are some visual/feel indicators for a saturated pad

1. pad gumming
2. pad feels wet
3. pad is dusting
4. other
Just wondering ....

When I am using the DA polisher I clean the pad on the fly every panel. I determine pad saturation by the spin on the pad while up against the paint. To better explain. When a pad is either new or dry(used with a product in the past) the pad will spin on the paint while pressure of 10-20 pounds is pressed onto it. When the pad becomes saturated this spinning will not occur just the jiggle from the machine. The pad will spin when pressure is lifted off the pad but little to no pressure does not correct paint. This is how I mainly tell if a pad is saturared. You could also pull the pad off of the backing plate and look at the velco. If you see wet product the pad in my mind is oversaturated with product. By nature of the DA's movement it will pull product to the center of the pad causing the center to saturate quicker that the edges.

Andrew

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

I have a little over 200 pads right now(amount grows by the month). I say you need to buy more pads

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

and when the pad I am using gets to saturated to properly correct the paint I pull out a clean dry pad and move on.

What are some visual/feel indicators for a saturated pad

1. pad gumming
2. pad feels wet
3. pad is dusting
4. other
Just wondering ....

This topic should probably be it's own thread instead of clumped with the topic of this thread.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

How many pads you need kind of depends upon what you're normally doing when you machine buff cars.


Are you doing correction work or maintenance work?

If all your cars are in great shape and most of what you do with them is light cleaning and/or polishing and then waxing then 4 polishing pads and 4 finishing pads is fine.

If you're buffing out cars that are not yours as a business or a hobby and the paint is neglected and you're doing all your correction work with a DA Polisher then definitely more polishing pads would be better.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Do I Really Need More Pads!?

then definitely more polishing pads would be better.

yada yada yada.....this is all I heard