Quality of Harbor Freight Pads?

[Baaky]

For my birthday, I was given a 6 in. harbor freight polisher and pads. I've heard some decent reviews of the polisher, but not much of the pads. How good are they? I have the receipt, so I can return them and get something else. Is it worth getting some Meguiar's discs instead? Can I use the backing plate that came with the polisher? Also, how many of each should I need to do a car? I was only given 1 compounding, polishing, and finishing pad.

[The Guz]

Re: Quality of Harbor Freight Pads?

Don't bother using the HF pads. They are junk. Invest in the new foam discs or some other pads (Lake Country, Buff & Shine). Also get a better backing plate.

What size vehicle are you working on?

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Quality of Harbor Freight Pads?

Hello, I have that same polisher and it sounds like you're on the right track as far as what you'll need, and what you'll need to return to HF.
-Return the HF pads.
-The backing plate it came with is pretty much useless, unless you have any 6" Megs Microfiber Discs availiable. But you'd be getting 5" discs to run with that polisher so you'll probably never use it.
-Buy yourself a Megs 5" DA Backing Plate.
-I'd recommend buying at least 2 of the new Megs thin foam cutting discs.
-2 Polishing discs
-1 Finishing disc
If you decide to get the 6pk, it's your choice but I'd get either another cutting disc or a polishing disc, depends on what you plan on working on in the future. But for the most part 1 Finsihing disc should be enough for your starter kit.
-Save the handle in the box the polisher came in, you're much better off not using it.
Also save the little wrench and anything else that comes in the box, in the box. You dont want to lose those things because you will need them someday.
-I bought a 14 gauge 50' extention cord from HF when I got my polisher because I wanted to provide sufficient power and more length than the light duty 16 gauge 25' cords I already had in my garage.

As far as the mods people do to the machine, I havn't done any yet and I've got zero complaints the way it is. Good luck & Happy Belated Birthday!