Using a Meguiar's DA Polisher and trying to find good pads to use with it.

[Grifftech]

I am trying to decide on what pads I should be using. Are the Lake Country CCS pads good or are flat pads better? I just to make sure I am using the proper pads for the best results.

I am going to be trying out the Menzerna line of polishes and then following up with BFWD and BFMSW.

Thanks for any info,
Chris

[Mike Phillips]

The flat pads, either open cell foam or Hydro-Tech, (closed cell foam), are the simplest design and easiest to use and then clean both on the fly and after use.

Open cell are easier to wash because water and thus whatever is inside the foam will flush out easiest. Close cell, because the cell walls have a membrane are always going to be a little harder to clean because water won't flush through them as easy as open cell.

Flat pads mean 100% of the face of the pad is going to work for you. The flat design is the oldest and original design and has a time-proven history of success with the widest range of products.

Fact is, the type and shape of foam is the least of the equation as long as you're using great products and perfect technique.

If you're new to machine polishing, start out using the simple, 5.5" Lake Country Flat Foam Pads.

As you increase in your skill level, experience and confidence, pick up some Hydro-Tech 5.5" thin pads.

Then for a well rounded experience, get some CCS pads...


You can never have too many pads...

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27194-5-1-2-inch-6-inch-buffing-pads-pictures-links.html)


Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28825-thin-new-lake-country-hydro-tech-low-profile-5-1-2-x-7-8-inch-foam-pads.html)




:)

[Grifftech]

The flat pads, either open cell foam or Hydro-Tech, (closed cell foam), are the simplest design and easiest to use and then clean both on the fly and after use.

Open cell are easier to wash because water and thus whatever is inside the foam will flush out easiest. Close cell, because the cell walls have a membrane are always going to be a little harder to clean because water won't flush through them as easy as open cell.

Flat pads mean 100% of the face of the pad is going to work for you. The flat design is the oldest and original design and has a time-proven history of success with the widest range of products.

Fact is, the type and shape of foam is the least of the equation as long as you're using great products and perfect technique.

If you're new to machine polishing, start out using the simple, 5.5" Lake Country Flat Foam Pads.

As you increase in your skill level, experience and confidence, pick up some Hydro-Tech 5.5" thin pads.

Then for a well rounded experience, get some CCS pads...


You can never have too many pads...

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27194-5-1-2-inch-6-inch-buffing-pads-pictures-links.html)


Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28825-thin-new-lake-country-hydro-tech-low-profile-5-1-2-x-7-8-inch-foam-pads.html)




:)


I currently use 6.5" pads with my DA polisher, what is the benefit in going with the 5.5"?

[umi000]

Smaller and thinner pads are lighter, and therefore will be easier to spin with a DA; this means that you're either able to maintain rotation with less effort, or use more pressure while still maintaining that rotation.

[Mike Phillips]

I currently use 6.5" pads with my DA polisher, what is the benefit in going with the 5.5"?

Most 6.5" and 7" buffing pads are around an inch and a quarter thick, this thickness of f-o-a-m absorbs and dissipates the energy coming out of the tool and this shows up as less ability to maintain pad rotation under pressure.

Also, as you use a pad, the liquid chemical you're using will seep into the foam and wet foam absorbs and dissipates the energy coming out of the tool even more than dry foam.

That's why as you work around a car if you pay attention you'll notice your foam buffing pads don't rotate as well after buffing out a few panels as they did when they you first started.

Question: What changed?
Answer: The pad became wet with product


The thicker the pad, the more foam to absorb and dissipate energy.

The larger the pad, the more surface area the tool has to move over the surface, it's simple math and common sense that a tool like the Porter Cable 7424XP, Meguiar's G110v2 and the Griot's Garage 6" ROP are going to have an easier time maintaining pad rotation with a smaller diameter pad versus a larger diameter pad.

All of the above applies to tools with a Free Floating Spindle Bearing Assembly.

The Free Floating Spindle Assembly - The Story Behind The Story... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23995-free-rotating-spindle-assembly-story-behind-story.html)


Direct drive tools like the Flex 3401 or rotary buffers are not affected in the same way because they are direct drive.


All of the above is explained in detail in my how-to book...


E-book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-e-book.html)
(Displayed on iPad - iPad not included)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/EbookCarWashingPage.jpg

Paperback
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/paperbackDetailingBook01.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html)



Mike Phillips' The Art Of Detailing Audio Book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-audio-book.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2201_75669630




For what it's worth... I've been using PC style tools since they were introduced to the paint polishing world by Meguiar's in the early 1990's and chances are good I've taught more people how to use these tools either first-hand in a classroom situation or with the typed word or video than anyone else in this industry... just a guess but I've been doing this a long time and teaching for the same amount of time...


:)

[Grifftech]

Mike you are amazing, thank you so much!!!