Optimum MF Pads

[Chris@Optimum]

Originally Posted by SSizzlin'

Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.

With the face of the pad primed, cleaning or changing the pad as needed, and not using a big pad to cut (on the PC) it should do fine. Mark the backing plate for reference and straighten up or lighten up if it stops moving. If it needs more correcting than that gives either work on technique or buy a forced rotation machine.

Most times I see these pads stop rotating is when there's too much product and all the fibers are matted down. Or they have removed a lot of paint and need to be blown out or brushed or both.

Most people that have questions for me about any given product are looking for definitive answers. For example, they would like to hear: use x polisher with x pad for x minutes on x speed and no matter your skill level or paint system, you wil have perfect paint. That never happens because of variables like aggressiveness of product/pad, hardness of paint system, consistency of appropriate pressure, humidity, heat, machine, skill, etc. Combinations of variables will range in hundreds of results just changing a couple of variables.

I said all that to make the point that it just takes awhile to learn "how" to use a product...but more importantly it takes time to be able to recognize what is actually happening and adjust your technique accordingly. That is why some people can produce stellar results with OTC products and discount polishers and also why the most anal do it yourselfer can sometimes have all the best products and equipment money can buy and not get good results. It just takes time behind the wheel with each new thing you try. Microfiber pads work differently than foam so you have to learn them.

Have confidence it yourself and the product. Know that we already spent the time, money, and effort making sure hey work before we release them to the public. And thankfully there is a great place like AG where u can find others having good results and ask for help.

[FivePoint.0]

For the record, I'm not referring to just OPT MF pads and the PCXP. I'm talking about any pad on speed 4 with the PCXP. IME, on speed 4, the tool is flat out weak! There's noticeably more power on speed 5 and 6, though.

[Vegas Transplant]

Originally Posted by SSizzlin'

Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.

I agree with SSizzlin' on this point.
Those that turn speed 4 on the PC - kudos to you for your success.
Just doesn't happen for me.
Speed 5, and changing out pads frequently works in my favor.

Originally Posted by Chris@Optimum

...Combinations of variables will range in hundreds of results just changing a couple of variables.

...I said all that to make the point that it just takes awhile to learn "how" to use a product...but more importantly it takes time to be able to recognize what is actually happening and adjust your technique accordingly.

...Microfiber pads work differently than foam so you have to learn them.

...Have confidence it yourself and the product. Know that we already spent the time, money, and effort making sure hey work before we release them to the public.

My experience with mf pads has truly been an educational process, and I'm on cloud 9.
I have learned much and appreciate not only the process, but the results.
I pretty much know which machine (PC or Makita), and product, or combination of product to reach for to begin the test spot on nearly every vehicle I touch with mf.

[FivePoint.0]

Originally Posted by Vegas Transplant

I agree with SSizzlin' on this point.
Those that turn speed 4 on the PC - kudos to you for your success.
Just doesn't happen for me.
Speed 5, and changing out pads frequently works in my favor.

Kool!

[us6krums]

I would have to agree on speed 4 on the PCXP. But great info and I will try all that on my next go around. I did have a lot of compounding to do, deep water marks. Most are still there as I didn't want to go too far. Thanks Chris for the update and I will try those settings. I have been doing slow arm speed and various levels of pressure. Sped it up in order ro keep pad turning. It may e too mch product as it was matted down on pad

[FivePoint.0]

After you polish a section, it's normal for polish to be matted on the pad. The optimum sprays don't do that as much, but it's normal with traditional polishes.

[DRT BRD]

Originally Posted by swanicyouth

Maybe too much polish and too high speed created too much heat? I have Compound II, but have yet to have a need to use it. I've used Polish II and Finish Polish without any dust or issues. I'd have to agree that maxing the machine out at 6 is too high for constant use. I never go above speed 5 and I'm using an original 7424.

Try slower arm speed. If you are polishing half a hood that is about 18" long, count : one one thousand, two one thousand, etc... Until you reach 18. Then you can see how slow an inch a second is. It's really slow.

Speed 5 on the orginal PC is around 4800 opm. So you would do setting 5 for cutting and 4 for waxing etc. On the XP it's 4 for cutting and 3 for waxing.

Originally Posted by us6krums

I would have to agree on speed 4 on the PCXP. But great info and I will try all that on my next go around. I did have a lot of compounding to do, deep water marks. Most are still there as I didn't want to go too far. Thanks Chris for the update and I will try those settings. I have been doing slow arm speed and various levels of pressure. Sped it up in order ro keep pad turning. It may e too mch product as it was matted down on pad

Let the machine and product do the work. If anything try 4.5 and work through it. Less is more sometimes and I have no problems with mine. Technique folks.

[vegas911gts]

What speed should I be using with the optimum mf pads for a flex 3401? I have 2 sets of each type of pad but haven't used them yet. I'd like to try it out next month when I give my car the last real wash, clay, polish, sealant, and wax before winter.

[Capa1970]

I destroyed two Optimum mf pads (first use) just on the hood of my car. I used a Griot's and speed 5 and switched pads per section. I had separation on one pad and the other pad on the back showed evidence of light melting and part of it was black. I was using D300. I was very disappointed but apparently the machine should of been on speed 4 (which on a Meg's isn't enough and on a Griot's does not seem to be enough).

[Johny B]

Originally Posted by SSizzlin'

Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.

+1
Johny