Help choosing a new pad....

[DaC]

So it seems I went wrong buying LC HT Kompressor pads to use with a GG 6" ROP.
Now I neeed to choose a new pad

I'm thinking about the LC Hydro-Tech 5.5x7/8" low profile pads or the 6.5" regular Hydro-Tech pads
What do you guys think about it ? Another suggestion ?


BTW, I do have a Meg's MF system on the way already.

[embolism]

assuming you have a 5 in bp

get some 5.5 in crimson ht or LC flat blacks/blues for waxes/sealants/finishing polishes

maybe some ht tangerines or LC whites for paint cleaners

I wouldn't bother with cutting pads since you have the MF cutting...

[Buckskincolt]

I wouldn't bother with cutting pads since you have the MF cutting...

I would disagree with this,
The MF are great but they are not the answer for all situations IMO.

I'd buy the low profile HT pads for my first choice Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads , hydrotech foam pads for water-based polishes, lake country foam pads, buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/hydrotech-low-profile-pads.html) there will be some that don't like the HT pads but I for one pretty much reach for them every time. (again they are not the answer for everything)
Second choice would be the thin flat pads Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html) These pads work very well too!

[Rav777]

Lately I have been using the 5.5" LCC constant pressure pads and they are holding up great!



Lake Country Constant Pressure Technology 5.5 Inch Flat Pads, foam pads, buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/constant-pressure-flat-5-5-pads.html)

[Mobile detail]

From ag I like the ht pads.however, I feel the best pad (I wish ag would sell them hint hint) is made by buff and shine. Ht is my 2nd Fav. What machine are you using? I agree the megs mf isn't the solution to everything, but it sure does cover a lot.

[BobbyG]

The Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System appears to work very well and many here use it with much success. I've personally tried the correction pad and compound and was very impressed with it's performance.

I have Porter Cables 7424 dual action polisher and saw a huge difference in performance when I switched from the 6 1/2" to the 5 1/2" pads.

These are the 5 1/2" foam pads I use.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/BobbyG53/Detailing/Collection_RD09.jpg


Lake Country Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)


Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)

[DaC]

assuming you have a 5 in bp

get some 5.5 in crimson ht or LC flat blacks/blues for waxes/sealants/finishing polishes

maybe some ht tangerines or LC whites for paint cleaners

I wouldn't bother with cutting pads since you have the MF cutting...



I would disagree with this,
The MF are great but they are not the answer for all situations IMO.

I'd buy the low profile HT pads for my first choice Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads , hydrotech foam pads for water-based polishes, lake country foam pads, buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/hydrotech-low-profile-pads.html) there will be some that don't like the HT pads but I for one pretty much reach for them every time. (again they are not the answer for everything)
Second choice would be the thin flat pads Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html) These pads work very well too!


Lately I have been using the 5.5" LCC constant pressure pads and they are holding up great!



Lake Country Constant Pressure Technology 5.5 Inch Flat Pads, foam pads, buffing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/constant-pressure-flat-5-5-pads.html)


From ag I like the ht pads.however, I feel the best pad (I wish ag would sell them hint hint) is made by buff and shine. Ht is my 2nd Fav. What machine are you using? I agree the megs mf isn't the solution to everything, but it sure does cover a lot.

Well guys, I'm using the GG 6" ROP Polisher.

Too much opinions, let me try to focus a little more....

What I already have:
3.5/5/6" backing plates
LC HT 4": 1 from each: cyan / tangerine / crimson
LC HT Kompressor 6": 1 cyan / 2 tangerine / 2 crimson
6.5" CCS Pads: 2 Yellow Pads (yet to arrive)
1 kit of Megs' 6" MF system (yet to arrive)
Meg's Polishing liquids: [M105 / M86 /M205] (yet to arrive) / Ultimate Compound / Scratchx 2.0 / Ultimate Polish

So it's between LC Flat / HT Low Profile pads and Constant pressure pads (are these low profile also?)

I'm trying to get a pad that is a product saver and also gives a great finish for 1 step, which will probably be my main stream market..... this is why HT pads are my main option.......

I plan to buy 6-9 pads...... 6-packs are great because of price, but I can't see any HT low profile pack...

Now the question...... looking at what I already got.... products I'm using, DA machine and type of work I might do most of the time.....

Which pad would you guys get (LC Flat LP / HT LP / Constant Pressure )and how would you divide them ? And 5.5" or 6.5" pads ?

I do want to have power for a heavier job...
I'm worried about not having the right pad if a really messed car with a hard paint, like a Mercedes shows up... but I'm pretty sure I would also need a rotatory for that, right ?

[DaC]

The Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System appears to work very well and many here use it with much success. I've personally tried the correction pad and compound and was very impressed with it's performance.

I have Porter Cables 7424 dual action polisher and saw a huge difference in performance when I switched from the 6 1/2" to the 5 1/2" pads.

These are the 5 1/2" foam pads I use.

Lake Country Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)


Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)

Nice box!! =]
Bob, do you usually do some of the work by hand also ?

[BobbyG]

Nice box!! =]
Bob, do you usually do some of the work by hand also ?

Where I can't reach with the smaller pads, yes. Inside door handle pockets, around antennas, places like that..

[TroyScherer]

Like Bobby suggested I would stick with 5.5 Pads. You can't really go wrong it which ones you pick. I have and use CCS, Std Flat, and HT Pads. I prefer the Flat and HT pads over the CCS. I feel like I get better product control. The HT pads are a little firmer IME than the Flat pads. Either will get the job done. I all comes down to price and personal preference.

[DaC]

Like Bobby suggested I would stick with 5.5 Pads. You can't really go wrong it which ones you pick. I have and use CCS, Std Flat, and HT Pads. I prefer the Flat and HT pads over the CCS. I feel like I get better product control. The HT pads are a little firmer IME than the Flat pads. Either will get the job done. I all comes down to price and personal preference.

So either Flat or HT holds products as much or HT really is a saver ?

[embolism]

you can do a good one step with power finish on 5.5 LC orange flats or ht tangerines. On softer paints, this is my goto combo...

Many people also swear by D151 but I have yet to try it.

If you get something with really hard clear, then D300 and MF pads are your best bet. You could even put a little 105 in there and spritz with distilled after the buffing cycle to get a bit longer working time and more cut if required.

one thing you also may want to consider is the HT pads take a long time to dry and fall apart if you use them before they are dry...

[TroyScherer]

So either Flat or HT holds products as much or HT really is a saver ?


If you prime the pad I think you will use about the same amount of product. I have seen some having issues with the durability of HT pads; so if this is an issue for you I may lean more toward the Std Flat pads. Both have their pro and cons.

[DaC]

you can do a good one step with power finish on 5.5 LC orange flats or ht tangerines. On softer paints, this is my goto combo...

Many people also swear by D151 but I have yet to try it.

If you get something with really hard clear, then D300 and MF pads are your best bet. You could even put a little 105 in there and spritz with distilled after the buffing cycle to get a bit longer working time and more cut if required.

one thing you also may want to consider is the HT pads take a long time to dry and fall apart if you use them before they are dry...

The Kompressor Tangerine did great with UP on my car.... but wasted too much Polish
Take a look: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/41736-1st-time-polishing-vw-gol-meg-s-up-1-step.html

Will orange finish just as good as tangerine ?
I'm thinking about ordering the 6-pack flat pads:
2 orange / 2 white / 2blacks
and/or
3 cyan / 3 tangerine / 2 crimson from the HT low profile...
the flat 6 packs is really a big bang for the buck..... but I do see people like best the finish ability from HT pads.... if only autogeek could give a bulk discount on HT pads... I think it would be a no brainer.... Mike could help us on that..... :dblthumb2:

[DaC]

If you prime the pad I think you will use about the same amount of product. I have seen some having issues with the durability of HT pads; so if this is an issue for you I may lean more toward the Std Flat pads. Both have their pro and cons.

Yes durability is a issue, because as I live in Brazil, new pads would take from 25-40 days to arrive....
That's why I want to stock some of it.... I'm thinking of ordering a 6 pack from flat as my backup line and use primarily HT pads because of the finish ability everyone comments.....