Question on pads

[tcope1]

I have about 5 LC 6" pads and one 6.5" Megs finishing pad. While I like the lower price of the LC pads, I think I'd prefer to use the Megs as they are thicker. So I also don't mind too much paying a little more for this reason.

I know that Megs came out with the 2.0 pads a few months ago. Are these "better" then the older Buff pads or just different?

The thing I also like about LC pads is that I'm familiar with the color scheme. I like that I have a choice of 5 or 6 different cutting pads. Though, I think Megs 3 different grades are probably really enough.

I think I also have been going to the LC orange pad way too much. Anytime I'm doing any paint correction I always seem to use orange even for light scratches. But in my defense, it seems like (for example) UC with a white pad just does not get the job done. Also, if I can do the job in 10 minutes with UC and an orange pad, would I want to take 20 minutes with UC and a white pad? Relating this paragraph to my topic, any input on Megs 3 grades of pads vs LC's 5 or 6?

Since I already have a Megs finishing pad I was thinking about just picking up a maroon cutting pad locally. As mention in another newer thread, I'd hate to pay shipping shipping charges on a $10 pad (even if free shipping, I'd not mind spending a couple of bucks more and getting it right away locally).

I think that is all. I'm just looking for some opinions on the subject. Thanks!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Question on pads

With our Soft Buff 2.0 pads we dramatically changed the way the velcro backing is attached to the foam, so now these pads are fully machine wash and dry compatible. Also, the back of the pad is recessed so the new W68 & W68DA backing plates drop right into the center for more precise attachment.

The foam on the yellow 2.0 pad is identical to that of the earlier yellow polishing pads. The foam on the burgundy 2.0 pad is different from the previous cutting pad in that it will hold it's shape & efficiency longer. The foam on the black 2.0 pad varies from that of the previous tan finishing pad in that it's a bit softer and it addresses a sometime skipping issue (pretty rare, though) only experienced with rotary use.

Todd Helme put together a nice reference chart comparing the Meguiar's & LC pads that you should find useful. It should be noted that we don't recommend using our W7207 (or W7006) cutting pads on the D/A as they tend to be a bit too aggressive and may haze the paint.

If you have any doubts about the efficiency of Meguiar's W8207 or W8006 yellow polishing pads, read through Kickin Griffin's post about using this pad with M205 - which is pretty mild stuff - on what he describes as hard paint on a Mercedes Benz E320. He describes his technique in detail and it's really worth reading through. Yes, he found the M205 to leave some of the nastier defects behind and he did step up to a slightly more aggressive liquid from another vendor, but if Ultimate Compound would have been available it most likely would have done the trick as it's quite a bit more aggressive than M205. He was even using a Meguiar's G220 polisher!

Hope that helps you out.