What pads do i need to buy ?

[thedoc46]

I want to buy some Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, and or Ultimate Wax. And an orbital polisher.

Here's the deal for me, I think the DA Power System isn't a perfect fit for me, just due to the way i'd have to hold a drill upright. Whilst that may be ok for side panels, the middle of the hood and roof may prove a little cumbersome for me.

So I've decided to go with either the Porter Cable 7424XP or the Griots Random Orbital Polisher. Both are 6inch.

I like the way its all been simplified with the DA Power system, in that maroon pads are for compound, yellow for polishing and black for waxing.

But what's not so clear is if i want to just buy the meguiar pads to go with the meguiar ultimate products, and use someone else's orbital polisher.

I may even just scrap the idea of an orbital polisher, as i really do not have much of a 'current' need for the compound and polish (at least not on my new white car) and just go with a hand wax. In which case again what pads should one be buying? given each application requires a different applicator.

[BillyJack]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

If you truly have an interest in maintaining your vehicles' finishes, you'll never regret the purchase of an orbital. Personally, I have a Griot's and use it for everything, compounds, polish, wax, even scrubbing tires. There are a plethora of pads available from various makers, but I highly recommend starting with the Meguiar's 4" pads and matching 3" backing plate. With the burgundy, yellow and black pads, you can do just about everything, even as a beginner. The extra "cushion" of the 4" pads provides a measure of safety around mirrors and other protrusions and they're easier to manage for a beginner than larger pads. If you update to larger pads later, the 4 inchers are still useful for tight areas. Now that the new thin discs are available in a 5" size, that'll be my next pad purchase, but I'm sure my collection of 4 inchers will still be used often.

Bill

[The Guz]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

You could wait for the new MT300 to start shipping. See here for more info http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ction-Polisher

If you are set on the two DA's you posted, then go with the GG6 but go with a 5" backing plate instead.

For pads check out the new Meguiar's thin pads. See here http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Backing-Plates

White cars are nice in the sense that they hide paint defects very well. But at various angles in the sun you can clearly see them.

You can get a good deal on the pads and backing plate here.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/meguiars-foam-disc-5-inch-bundle.html

[thedoc46]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Thanks guys.. Being a noob, i'm struggling to understand the sizes.. I would have thought if the backing plate was 6" then I'll need 6" pads.. Right ? But Billy you're saying get the 4" pads and the 3" backing plate. Is the overlapping pad a good thing then ?

Guz thanks for those links.. The meguiars polisher at $359 is over my budget unfortunately, so i'll probably go with that GC6 cos that's only in the low $100's. Question, do you recommend a 5" for any particular reason? Is it just easier to get in the smaller spots than a 6"

I don't mind investing in two backing plates and two sets of pads... be it 6" and 4" or 5" & 3" or any combo... But from a starting point, what is the most practical.

Also, another thing that i'm finding a little confusing is the connecting method of these pads.. Hook and loop ? Is that different from velcro?

Are thin pads better than thick pads?

Also how long do they last? They're not cheap. Will they last for at least a few waxes ?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer all my questions... I know i've been firing a few off this week. lol Can't wait for the weekend to start claying, washing and waxing.. Got my new buckets, mitts, grit guards, new waffle drying towels... I think i've been bit by the bug !

[BillyJack]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Thanks guys.. Being a noob, i'm struggling to understand the sizes.. I would have thought if the backing plate was 6" then I'll need 6" pads.. Right ? But Billy you're saying get the 4" pads and the 3" backing plate. Is the overlapping pad a good thing then ?

The Meguiar's 4" pads are actually designed to work with a 3" backing plate. Unlike some other pads, the velcro doesn't cover the entire back face of the pad. A PC or GG polisher has an easier time of keeping the smaller pads rotating, which is why I recommended them. If your pad is not rotating while it is oscillating it is not effective. Most of us will draw a line on the plate to monitor pad rotation. In reality, a seasoned pro may find benefit in having the backing plate cover the entire pad, but you also have to be more careful of the backing plate rubbing against any protrusions, such as mirrors or door handles. The thin pads actually transfer more of the oscillating motion of the polisher than a thicker pad, so they can be more effective in correction ability.
Larger pads in the right hands are more efficient and faster, but smaller pads are easier for a rookie, albeit a bit slower.

A good pad will last almost indefinitely, especially a waxing pad, since you're not building up heat from excessive downward pressure on the polisher. Most folks recommend changing compounding or polishing pads a few times during a job to allow the pads to cool. Overheating a pad is a recipe for failure of either the foam or the velcro, which is a generic term for the hook-and-loop fastening material.

Bill

[Larry90]

Hey guz, would the DA have the power to remove wet sanding marks?

[The Guz]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Thanks guys.. Being a noob, i'm struggling to understand the sizes.. I would have thought if the backing plate was 6" then I'll need 6" pads.. Right ? But Billy you're saying get the 4" pads and the 3" backing plate. Is the overlapping pad a good thing then ?

Guz thanks for those links.. The meguiars polisher at $359 is over my budget unfortunately, so i'll probably go with that GC6 cos that's only in the low $100's. Question, do you recommend a 5" for any particular reason? Is it just easier to get in the smaller spots than a 6"

I don't mind investing in two backing plates and two sets of pads... be it 6" and 4" or 5" & 3" or any combo... But from a starting point, what is the most practical.

Also, another thing that i'm finding a little confusing is the connecting method of these pads.. Hook and loop ? Is that different from velcro?

Are thin pads better than thick pads?

Also how long do they last? They're not cheap. Will they last for at least a few waxes ?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer all my questions... I know i've been firing a few off this week. lol Can't wait for the weekend to start claying, washing and waxing.. Got my new buckets, mitts, grit guards, new waffle drying towels... I think i've been bit by the bug !

A 5" backing plate/pad combo translates the machines power more efficiently than a 6" backing plate/pad combo. 4" and 3" pads are good for small areas but if you are doing a whole car stick with a 5" BP and 5.5" pads. If you wish to keep using the DA power system pads with a DA get the 3" backing plate and use them in smaller areas (ie pillars, mirrors, etc..) .

Hook and loop is another term for velcro.

Read this thread on the new pads and why thin is in. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...-Buffing-Discs

Maintain/clean your pads and don't polish around sharp edges and your pads will last awhile. You can't beat the deal that I posted in that link for the new pads and backing plate.

Hey guz, would the DA have the power to remove wet sanding marks?

That's a Michael Stoops question. I do remember him posting about removing 3000 grit sanding marks from the car they took to SEMA 2014 with the MT300 using D300 and the new foam cutting disks.

[davey g-force]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Hey guz, would the DA have the power to remove wet sanding marks?

My answer to that would be "it depends"... or "yes, sometimes".

Variables are pad type, compound type, DA type, paint hardness and the coarsness (grit) of the sandpaper used to name a few...

[Eldorado2k]

@thedoc46. Pads last a good long while.. Just do them a favor and clean them up after you're done using them. Plain water in the sink works fine if you clean the same night you used them. [this is sometimes the least enjoyable thing after a long session of polishing a car, but doing so will ensure a long life to all your pads]

Another tip is to avoid polishing over any rubber areas on your vehicles exterior. [window trim is the usual culprit] If you do, it can instanly turn your clean pad as black as the rubber and could be quite a buzzkill...
That's why it's always best to tape off. Good luck!

[thedoc46]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Thx Re taping up. what is the best tape that doesn't leave any residue.

[The Guz]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

The green 3M automotive works very well.

[davey g-force]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

Thx Re taping up. what is the best tape that doesn't leave any residue.

A more important reason to tape off trim is to avoid the risk of marking or damaging it. I learned that the hard way

[Eldorado2k]

I use regular masking tape from the 99 cent only store. Works great and never leaves residue on any surface of the vehicle.

[thedoc46]

Re: What pads do i need to buy ?

A more important reason to tape off trim is to avoid the risk of marking or damaging it. I learned that the hard way

i'll be honest, it seems like a right PITA to have to do this. When I've hand waxed in the past, i stop just short of any trim... Cos i know it stained in the past.. I wonder if its feasible to do the same with an orbital.. Of course I'm saying all of this, cos as of yet I've not used one.. I'm about to buy one.. Got everything I need so to speak.. Just need to do a tiny little bit more research.

[Larry90]

Good point el Dorado; last time I was polishing my pillars and forgot to cover the black trim surroundings and my yellow pad paid the price.