New to a DA, what pads to buy?

[ouhockeyplayer]

I am looking at a DA kit on Auto Geek.net http://autogeek.net/hk7424.html and was wondering what pads would be best to get? I mainly use Ultimate Compound, Scratch X and NXT Tech wax. I was thinking the orange pads for the UC/Scratch X and the red pads for the tech wax. Any other suggestions or pads that I might like for products I may use in the future. I am new to detailing and will be working on a 2009 Black HHR SS. The paint on this car is very difficult to remove minor paint defects by hand and I was thinking a DA would be the way to go. Thank you for your help.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

Product, Pad and Speed settings for the G110 Dual Action Polisher - Updated!

Meguiar's M105/M205 Polish and Pad Chart

Let's talk about "Total Cut"

[ouhockeyplayer]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

Thank you for the references. However, the pad/product suggestions relate to Meguiars product numbers. This brand goes by colors and I am not sure what color pad goes best with which Meguiars products. I am assuming Orange for UC and scratch X 2.0? Red for Tech Wax? Any others that I should look into for a polish?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

Try this thread by th0001

Lake Country vs. Meguiar's Pad Compo chart

[tcope1]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

MY recommendation is as follows;

Budget:
1 orange LC
1 White LC
1 Red LC

If you can afford more then get 2 whites and 2 orange in addition to the 1 red.

I'd certainly recommend initially buying a package that contained the 5 pads mentioned. This would be a good start and will cover most situations. The dup pads are because you really need more then one if you are going to do a whole car. They become saturated with product 1/2 through.

I like megs pads a little more as they are thicker and don't seem to get as saturated as much. With that said, I own many more LC pads then megs. Mainly as they were less expensive.

[ouhockeyplayer]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

Thank you that chart certainly helps. I think I will go with a combination of the orange, white and red. If the white can't get the job done with the UC then I can always try the orange.

[ziggo99]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

What's your budget on pads?

[ouhockeyplayer]

Re: New to a DA, what pads to buy?

Well I kind of want to limit it to the 5 that you get with the kit to start and then build from there. I don't have a ton of extra money right now because I am buying a house. The wife has a lot of the money tied up in decorations and paint unfortunately. She doesn't understand how detailing a car is a relaxing thing for me.