Pad Question for PC XP

[AquaBlue]

I just recently buy 7424XP. Still confuse with pad combination though. Hope it's ok if I just put my question here. what pad is better for AIO prod? white ccs polishing pad or gray ccs finishing pad? or both is ok, meaning there are circumstances where I should use AIO with white polishing pad or gray finishing pad. What speed is best for applying AIO?

[ziggo99]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

White CCS for AIO for sure. White is pretty much the "go to" pad if you don't know what to use. Not too week, no too strong. Of course, the Green CCS pad was designed for use with AIO's. Lettme link
http://p.hostingprod.com/@properautocare.com/graphics/PadsInstr/fgreen.jpg

[AquaBlue]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

White CCS for AIO for sure. White is pretty much the "go to" pad if you don't know what to use. Not too week, no too strong. Of course, the Green CCS pad was designed for use with AIO's. Lettme link
http://p.hostingprod.com/@properautocare.com/graphics/PadsInstr/fgreen.jpg

Thx for the info and great link ziggo99. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Should do some more practice I guess. Right now, it's still hard for me to distinguish the result achieved by either pad when used with the same product, in this case Megs cleaner wax.
by the way, does this mean that the gray pad is used only for pure polish or finishing polish?

[Murr1525]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

A pure polish works well on a bit firmer of a pad like a polishing pad as well.

The pad will affect the product some, but with milder pads, I think you will see more difference from product than pad.

And the Meguiars Cleaner/Wax isnt that strong of a product, so wont make a dramatic change to the surface either.

[AquaBlue]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

A pure polish works well on a bit firmer of a pad like a polishing pad as well.

The pad will affect the product some, but with milder pads, I think you will see more difference from product than pad.

And the Meguiars Cleaner/Wax isnt that strong of a product, so wont make a dramatic change to the surface either.

100% agree with you. I have just own a DA, so now I'm starting to collect pad for it. I would really like to know what pad I should buy first rather than just random buying pads and waste the money in it.
Anyway, I've bought light cutting pads and white polishing pads. Does anybody think I should also own a gray pad and for what purpose? Sorry for the trivial question from a noob

[Clutch34]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

A light cutting pad -- which brand?

If you're talking about the Lake Country gray pad, then yes, you should get one. That's what you'll use to apply your LSP (Last Step Product) ie. wax/sealant

[ziggo99]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

http://www.properautocare.com/hi612infopaa.html

I'll just post the big link. Scroll down until it starts talking about all the pads. It should give you a general idea on each one. But like clutch34 said, the gray (sometimes called black on other sites) is a great pad for applying waxes. I bought 6 pads to starts-2 orange, 2 white, and 2 gray/blacks. I figured that would be a good starting point and those are the most commonly used pads. And the Cleaner/Wax, I assume you're talking about the maroon bottle found everywhere? It's a cleaner wax by chemical only. Good for getting out stains and the link, but not so much for swirls. I'll link you to all the cleaner waxes Meg's offers.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38728

[Bunky]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

For people that polish regularly, it is always good to have a light cutting pad (like LC orange), a polishing pad (like LC white), and a finishing pad (like LC black) in the bag. This will cover almost any situation for polishing. You can get softer pads if you plan to apply sealants and waxes.

You can use the polishing or finishing pad with an all in ones. The choice likely is determined by paint hardness or if you want a bit more polishing. The LC green mentioned is a tad softer than white and may be better for softer paints. It just depend on the vehicle. There is a coarser LC green that is between orange and white too so watch out to not order that one if you are looking for the light polishing green.

[ziggo99]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

Also, and this is my personal opinion, but if you're going to order LC pads, I would order from Proper Auto Care. Why? They're the only ones that have the blue backing. Here's why:

This new, patented, Constant Pressure technology uses a layer of engineered, instant rebound foam between the pad and the backing plate to absorb off-axis movements while keeping the pressure of the pad on the surface constant.

Plus, they have a little bit of Velcro cut from the pack of the pad, so when you work around a mirror, you won't run the risk of having the Velcro scratching anything up. That's why I ordered from there

[AquaBlue]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

A light cutting pad -- which brand?

If you're talking about the Lake Country gray pad, then yes, you should get one. That's what you'll use to apply your LSP (Last Step Product) ie. wax/sealant

Yup, that's the one I meant. If just for LSP then maybe I'll just have 2 the most. Coz I like applying lsp with hand mode. Thx.

http://www.properautocare.com/hi612infopaa.html
I'll just post the big link. Scroll down until it starts talking about all the pads. It should give you a general idea on each one. But like clutch34 said, the gray (sometimes called black on other sites) is a great pad for applying waxes. I bought 6 pads to starts-2 orange, 2 white, and 2 gray/blacks. I figured that would be a good starting point and those are the most commonly used pads. And the Cleaner/Wax, I assume you're talking about the maroon bottle found everywhere? It's a cleaner wax by chemical only. Good for getting out stains and the link, but not so much for swirls. I'll link you to all the cleaner waxes Meg's offers.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=38728

I bought more white and then orange and then gray. Mostly because I think I can always substitute LSP application by hand mode, but when it comes to paint correcting then you should really use a machine and in this case the right pad also for either light or heavier surface defect. And white pad seems to be needed more often from what I've heard. CMIIW...

For people that polish regularly, it is always good to have a light cutting pad (like LC orange), a polishing pad (like LC white), and a finishing pad (like LC black) in the bag. This will cover almost any situation for polishing. You can get softer pads if you plan to apply sealants and waxes.

You can use the polishing or finishing pad with an all in ones. The choice likely is determined by paint hardness or if you want a bit more polishing. The LC green mentioned is a tad softer than white and may be better for softer paints. It just depend on the vehicle. There is a coarser LC green that is between orange and white too so watch out to not order that one if you are looking for the light polishing green.

got it!!

Also, and this is my personal opinion, but if you're going to order LC pads, I would order from Proper Auto Care. Why? They're the only ones that have the blue backing. Here's why:

Plus, they have a little bit of Velcro cut from the pack of the pad, so when you work around a mirror, you won't run the risk of having the Velcro scratching anything up. That's why I ordered from there

I teared up the upper side of my CCS low profile pad coz it also has a velcro cut (leaving the side part of the upper pad un-guarded against the backing plate lips)when I pushed down the machine a bit and also when I hit a curve with the machine running.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

Should you choose to go with Meguiar's pads you should pick up several of our W8207 Soft Buff 2.0 Polishing Pads and a couple of the W9207 Soft Buff 2.0 Finishing Pads. Couple these with our W68DA backing plate and you have an engineered system of pad and backing plate. So many people overlook the importance of the backing plate but it can make a big difference in overall performance. Our W68DA fits perfectly into the recess on the back of our 2.0 pads, offers a very wide contact patch with great flexability toward the edges. This keeps the pad flat and in proper contact with the body panel, even when that body panel contours quite a bit.

The description of the LC pads with the blue backer is interesting..... it sounds like they essentially have an interface pad to help keep the pad flat. That's all fine and well; our new finishing discs (damp sanding) do exactly the same thing, for exactly the same reason. We also offer a seperate interface pad for use with these discs. These interface pads not only allow for contour following, but they reduce cut as well.

But what do sanding discs have to do with foam polishing pads? Well, you're basically doing the same thing - leveling paint and removing defects. But when you introduce an interface pad you reduce cut overall. In sanding this can be a good thing (it actually gives a more controlled cut while diminishing total cut) but you may not find the same benefits when polishing. Then again, in some cases you might. It all depends on what your utlimate goal is.

[AquaBlue]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

Should you choose to go with Meguiar's pads you should pick up several of our W8207 Soft Buff 2.0 Polishing Pads and a couple of the W9207 Soft Buff 2.0 Finishing Pads. Couple these with our W68DA backing plate and you have an engineered system of pad and backing plate. So many people overlook the importance of the backing plate but it can make a big difference in overall performance. Our W68DA fits perfectly into the recess on the back of our 2.0 pads, offers a very wide contact patch with great flexability toward the edges. This keeps the pad flat and in proper contact with the body panel, even when that body panel contours quite a bit.

The description of the LC pads with the blue backer is interesting..... it sounds like they essentially have an interface pad to help keep the pad flat. That's all fine and well; our new finishing discs (damp sanding) do exactly the same thing, for exactly the same reason. We also offer a seperate interface pad for use with these discs. These interface pads not only allow for contour following, but they reduce cut as well.

But what do sanding discs have to do with foam polishing pads? Well, you're basically doing the same thing - leveling paint and removing defects. But when you introduce an interface pad you reduce cut overall. In sanding this can be a good thing (it actually gives a more controlled cut while diminishing total cut) but you may not find the same benefits when polishing. Then again, in some cases you might. It all depends on what your utlimate goal is.

honestly, I like the appearance of meguiar's pads a lot. It look dense and delicate, and even more attractive when its still new. but I'm kinda curious, why meguiars doesn't have pads for spot buffing? something as big as 4"? I'm thinking about how hard it will be for me to manuever around with that big of a pad when not all of the surfaces of a car is flat.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Pad Question for PC XP

I'm kinda curious, why meguiars doesn't have pads for spot buffing? something as big as 4"? I'm thinking about how hard it will be for me to manuever around with that big of a pad when not all of the surfaces of a car is flat.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38430

They should be available in just a few weeks.