Looking to finally get a DA

[94-Cobra]

I have been following the 5 step process for years either working by hand or with a wax spreader polisher mostly using the Deep Crystal line. I am finally looking to step up to a DA and am looking at the G110v2 but I have some questions about what I need to go along with it. I also have some product/pad questions, but I will save those to another thread.

I was looking at the G110v2 over on autogeek, and it looks like the G110 already comes with a flexible backing plate, do I need to purchase any other backing plates?

For pads, it looks like based on the information in the D/A Buffing 101 thread, I only need to get the Meguiars Yellow and black pads as the burgundy colored cutting pads may cause marring in the paint, is this still the case? Just curious because I noticed these are included with the new compound power pack.

So for the yellow and black pads, does it matter which size I order (6.5 versus 7 inch)? How many of each type is recommended? I also plan on getting the 4 inch pads and backing plate to go with them, any suggestions on how many pads to get in that size?

Any help is appreciated.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Looking to finally get a DA

Our G110v2 buffer ships with the W68DA backing plate, which is designed to accept our 7" Soft Buff 2.0 pads. We don't recommend using the W7207 burgundy cutting pad with this tool since that pad is aggressive enough that hazed paint is common with it. We've worked on so many different types and ages of cars in our Saturday Classes using the yellow W8207 polishing pad and Ultimate Compound that we know it's a very widely compatible product on all sorts of defects, paint types, etc. If you find you really need to step up to something more potent, our DA Microfiber Correction System is a great choice. While the pads and liquids from that system can be purchased separately you must change to the W67DA backing plate to use the system. If you pick up one of the starter kits (we recommend the 5" for use on a DA like the G110v2) it comes with two of each pad, one bottle of each liquid, a Meguiar's apron, and the appropriate backing plate.

As for the burgundy cutting pad as part of the DA Power System, that tool is a bit different in that it's a forced rotation tool rather than an dual action orbital like we've come to know with the G110v2, Porter Cable, Griot's, etc. Hazing is much less an issue there, and use with a drill offers less power than a full sized DA.

Lastly, number of pads needed - if you plan on using both a finishing polish like Ultimate Polish or M205 you're going to want at least one black W9207 pad dedicated to that, plus another for wax application. For defect removal we recommend changing pads at least once in the process of a full vehicle correction, so you'd want a minimum of two W8207 yellow polishing pads. With potential test spots, use of different compounds, etc you might want to pick up more than just two of the W8207 though. Pads and towels are things you can't really have too many of (no need to go crazy to start though!).

[v8mustang]

Re: Looking to finally get a DA

I just bought the DA Power System last night. I have never used any type of DA polisher before. I ended up having to use the burgundy pads on some new scratches on the bumper and some scratches on the hood of our DD. I was really impressed with how it worked. The burgundy pad with ultimate compound took the scratches out and I did not have any marring. The marring was a concern for me as well that is why I first tried it out on our DD but I feel confident enough to use on our camaro.

[94-Cobra]

Re: Looking to finally get a DA

Thanks for the information. No, I don't think I would need to step up to more correction, most of the correction I need are just swirl marks. On some, they are not even that bad and I still have some DC1 Paint Cleaner that I like to use. It looks like based on information in other threads, if I had a paint that did not need much correction, I could use UP with a black pad to replace both DC1 and DC2, would that be accurate? Or would Swirl X with a yellow pad followed by UP with a black pad be a better combo for paints not requiring much correction?