Wrong pads causing excess heat?

[jcedorjr]

About a month or so ago I picked up the bogo 5.5 inch Hydrotech pads that were on sale knowing I was going to get a 7424XP. I got the machine and put it to use this weekend for it's trial run on two hood's. On one hood I used the four inch CCS white pad with Black Fire polish and it came out great and the machine was awesome. On the second hood, I used the Hydrotech pads and used the Cyan pad with the polish (later realizing I should have used the Tangerine for polish) and the machine itself got extremely hot. Should I be concerned?

From reading more after purchasing the pads I learned that maybe the 7/8" pads would be a better option for this machine, is this true? I don't want to use these thicker pads on an entire car if I'm risking damage to the machine or a car by generating so much heat. That would be a bummer since I have five unused pads, but I'd rather fix it before it's a problem and pick up the new pads before tackling an entire car.

[jcedorjr]

Also, I was using a speed setting of six and pad conditioner on the pads prior to applying the polish to the pad and would also spread the polish throughout the small section I was working on. The second hood where the machine got hot ended up coming out really nice so the machine definitely did some great work, it is just the heat that concerns me. I can't imagine it's supposed to get that hot.

[Mike Phillips]

I can't remember a time when a Porter Cable got so hot I couldn't hold it or it was a concern.

Is it hot where you're working?

The plastic body insulates your hands from the heat that builds-up normally with any tool. Are you saying the body of the tool is getting hot?

Here's Tyler holding the PC correctly.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1436/medium/1965Plymouth035.jpg





:confused:

[jcedorjr]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I was holding the machine similarly, just with my hand rounded over the nose of the machine. I watched a bunch of your videos (which were extremely helpful, thank you!) so held the machine on top rather than installing handle and throwing off the pressure distribution. I'm wondering if I was using too much pressure and/or not enough product and that was causing too much friction. It was my first time ever using a machine so I have a lot of learning to do hence my question about the heat.

[jcedorjr]

And yes, the body of the machine was getting hot. Sorry, missed that in my initial reply.

[Mike Phillips]

I'm wondering if I was using too much pressure and/or not enough product and that was causing too much friction. It was my first time ever using a machine so I have a lot of learning to do hence my question about the heat.




And yes, the body of the machine was getting hot. Sorry, missed that in my initial reply.

There's some difference between warm and hot. Warm is okay but if the tool body is so hot you instincts are to get your hand away from the heat source then that's too hot.

The heat from buffing normally build-up at the backing plate not the tool body.

I can't ever remember using a PC that got hot enough that it bothered me and I've used a lot of these tools over the years.

Read through the below two articles and try doing some buffing again,

How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)

Wet Buffing Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36237-wet-buffing-technique.html)



If the body is still getting hot or you smell electrical fumes that smell like melting plastic covered wires then there's probably an issue but if there is an issue it's certainly the exception not the rule.

:buffing:

[jcedorjr]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate it. So basically, while these pads are thicker, they would not be 'straining' the machine to the point I'd need to oust them entirely, right?

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate it. So basically, while these pads are thicker, they would not be 'straining' the machine to the point I'd need to oust them entirely, right?

Not at all...

Meguiar's has been selling thick pads for these tools ever since these tools were introduced to the paint polishing world. See pictures and what I wrote last week here,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/circular-polishers-rotary-polishers-high-speed-polisher/50266-just-got-my-flex-pe14-2.html


http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/717/W6000_03.jpg



Thinner pads rotate better as they become wet with product, I cover this in my how-to book...


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


:xyxthumbs:

[jcedorjr]

Awesome, I really appreciate your insight Mike. Have a great day!

[BillE]

Just to ask/add...The washer IS on the backing plate?

Bill

[Mike Phillips]

and the machine itself got extremely hot. Should I be concerned?





Any update on this?


:confused:

[jcedorjr]

I looked at the machine more after reading more posts and realized that the washer is not on there so will fix that before it's next use and see if that is the problem. I found another post listing washer sizes so was going to go to a plumbing store and get some extra's as well.

[Mike Phillips]

I looked at the machine more after reading more posts and realized that the washer is not on there so will fix that before it's next use and see if that is the problem. I found another post listing washer sizes so was going to go to a plumbing store and get some extra's as well.


Good to hear that we may have found a possible cause for the heat.

Here's a visual reference...

The Compression Washer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/48913-compression-washer.html)

I wrote an article about Compression Washers explaining how important it is to the function of DA Polishers here,

Don't use your polisher without it! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/48872-don-t-use-your-polisher-without.html)

There were some further follow-up questions about compression washers so here's some more pictures and information to make sure everyone's clear on what the compression washer is, where it goes and why it's important.


The common Compression Washer used with popular DA Polishers is about the size of a U.S. Quarter.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1423/CompressionWasher001.jpg





:)

[jcedorjr]

Sorry for not having an update sooner, we've had a bit of rain up in CT and haven't been able to get the car out for a good washing. Once the rain stops and things slow down I plan on giving it another attempt and will update after.

Those links you shared Mike are the one's I had seen and were very helpful. Thanks for the replies!

[jcedorjr]

Washer is installed, now just for some dry weather and time to bond with my machine...