choosing buffing pads=brain freeze!

[dnoraker]

I wish I had more time and money to experiment with different pads and polishes and such, but such is not the case with working FT and having a few different income sources besides, including a legit detailing business. I know I need some new options in the mix, but I'm not sure what the next step should be.

Here is what I own:
- Megs yellow, black and burgundy (several of each)- most of the yellow ones are from the early run of the washable pads and they don't align well at all and are getting a little lopsided. The burgundy ones are getting a little munched from bumping things (in my early days) and they seem too stiff to me
- Megs Solo wool light cutting pads- I really like these. They have a light cut and work well for removing oxidation. They can also take out light wetsanding marks
- Megs double-sided wool- I've used it once, but when I did, it sure was fast cutting for wetsanding marks.
- LC blue CCS 6.5 (several)- I love this combo with the rotary and 85RD and I don't think I would change a thing on my finishing step. No holograms on my dark red car after several washings
- a smattering of LC 3" pads for the Griots mini-polisher. Love it.

What I have in mind is that I need something that cuts more than the Megs yellow polishing pads that I can use with M105, but has a better "feel" than the Megs burgandy pads, which I haven't gotten used to. I tend to go to my light wools, but I hate the extra dusting and fuzz that comes with it. I also would like a go-to pad for cleaner waxes like XMT360 or M151. I've red the LC green is great with XMT.

I work almost exclusively with the rotary and 6.5 or 7" pads because I have the Meguiars backing plate that fits those. I figure I can just stick with those sizes, but I don't know if that's the best route. I have a G100 DA polisher, but only use it for applying waxes or if I keep getting holograms and need something to finish out nicer. If pad size is purely personal preference, I'll just stick with what I know. But if there are better results to be had, I would like to know what to do next.

I just don't want to go onto AG again and get "brain freeze" trying to decide what pads to get. I love my M105/205 and 85RD and don't feel the need for anything else, except maybe another Menzerna product. Which reminds me that I also would like advice on what other Menzerna I should get that maybe would work better on ceramic paints in lieu of M205/105. Or, if I shouldn't bother and just continue on with the Megs twins.

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

What I have in mind is that I need something that cuts more than the Megs yellow polishing pads that I can use with M105, but has a better "feel" than the Megs burgandy pads, which I haven't gotten used to. I tend to go to my light wools, but I hate the extra dusting and fuzz that comes with it. I also would like a go-to pad for cleaner waxes like XMT360 or M151. I've red the LC green is great with XMT.

I work almost exclusively with the rotary and 6.5 or 7" pads because I have the Meguiars backing plate that fits those.




Try out the Purple Kompressor Pad, maybe the Orange one too... The Purple Kompressor pad offers an aggressive cut but with excellent flexibility for curves due to the tabbed or slotted design...

Kompressor Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-kompressor-pads1.html)
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/kom-purple-pad.jpg
Purple Hybrid Heavy Compounding 7 inch Foam Pad
The hybrid foam formulation constructed to be as close to a twisted wool compounding pad as possible with a foam pad. Use the purple foam pad to apply compounds and heavy cut swirl removers. The purple foam removes oxidation, heavy swirls, and most scratches.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/kom-orange-pad.jpg
Orange Light Cutting 7 inch Foam Pad
The orange Kompressor pad is firm, high density foam for scratch, swirl, and light oxidation removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

From this article...

The Secret to Removing Oxidation and Restoring a Show Car Finish to Antique Single Stage Paints (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html)


Kompressor Pads
The first machine step I'm going to use on the 1973 Lincoln Continental is the 6" Purple Heavy Cutting Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/lc-6inch-kompressor-pad-kit.html). This is a very aggressive cutting pad in and of itself but used carefully it can be used safely and successfully on vintage paints.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod035.jpg



The reason I chose this pad is because the loops of foam fibers offer good cleaning and scrubbing action and the face of the pad is slotted or tabbed and this gives the pad the ability to flex and contort to the shape of the panel being buffed.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/PurpleKompressor01.jpg



Another benefit to the slotted tabs is when you clean this pad on a Pad Washer (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-universal-pad-washer.html) the tabs separate and release any built-up polish residue and paint residue.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod036.jpg

[dnoraker]

thanks for the tips. I was a little afraid to try something way different, but I can see that it's really what I'm asking for- a pad that conforms a little better and gets better contact. I never liked traditional cutting pads because it seemed like I had to make more passes because of the small contact area around convex curves, and had to be extra careful in the concave ones.

Any adjustments to technique, or do I just need to get the hang of it and practice a bit?

Any suggestions for pads for one-step cleaner waxes? I normally use Megs yellow pad on the rotary for swirled vehicles and Megs black pad on the rotary with lightly swirled vehicles. I just used the the yellow/rotary/M151 combo on a white mini-van that really needed swirl removal, but they didn't want a show car deal. Great level of cut, gleaming white shine. I got a referral out of that one! Im the MAN

[dnoraker]

I also forgot to confirm that my Megs backplate will work for the 6" pads. I think it's the W68, but regardless it was the newer one designed for the 7" washable pads.

[Da Fats]

Mike,

Aren't the org and purple kompressor pads a bit of a workout to control and less cut then standard wool pads when compared to each other?