griot garage orange pad

[el jefe]

I spent the weekend with my new orbital and orange pad from griot garage. I only did two vehicles. The orange pad about half way through I notice the center of the pad is flismy, not as thick as the sides/edges of the pad. I could not remember if it came this way or the pad deteriorated quickly? Is this normal or did the pad deteriorate? How long should a pad be good for. I continued to use this pad to do the remaining half of car and then i did my brothers whole car with it since it was my only pad.

Thanks

[Dougw4355]

I am assuming you had the washer on your new DA. Its possible you overloaded too much product on the pad. Maybe post a picture for others to see the actual pad problem

[bl3ujay07]

If you are only using one pad continuously, the heat and buildup of spent product is a big factor in the life of your pad. I have three of each pad color, and i think i need more, possibly 5 or 6 (in my opinion/experience).

[dougsrt]

I have had the same thing happen with two groits orange pads i do think it was to much product on the pads i didnt clean the sealent out to well.

[el jefe]

Ok finally got my pics of the pad.

first pic you can see the apple sinks into the pad with its own weight.

second pic you can see how firm the pad is with the apple at the edge of pad

third pic is some deterioration on the middle of pad

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt58/aortiz_photos/CA5BE8FC-4F30-4530-9D2A-3D3CE23327BF-984-0000005A6FFB8AC1.jpg


http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt58/aortiz_photos/AA79E7B0-05D5-41CD-B755-B409D3F1790A-984-0000005A6B676FE0.jpg



http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt58/aortiz_photos/F331874A-0125-4CE1-87B4-904E088F1924-984-0000005A65CF7938.jpg

[swanicyouth]

Pad looks like it may have been overheated / overused. This is a common problem with new DA users, especially when using a GG6. That machine boasts more power than others and pads can run hot if ran at high speeds with high pressure without switching them out. You need to constantly monitor your backing plate and pad temps by touching them after each set of section passes. Also, to correct a car you will need multiple pads and you will have to switch them out. Other reasons pads overheat is using too much pressure or the pad gets saturated with too much product. I think people new to machine polishing tend to use too much product and use the pad too long. As long as the pad stays whole, you can still use it. But you'll need to switch out your pads while working next time.

[Dougw4355]

This could happen from to much product buildup, improper cleaning or too much pressure being applied to the machine. Pads should be cleaned after each panel ("on the fly" works best) and you should not be applying excessive pressure to the polisher. Lighten up on the pressure and let the pad/polish/tool do the work. Use a brush to clean the pad and remove the buildup before moving on to each panel. If you have a compressor, use that to blow off the pads prior to next panel. Did you do 2 entire vehicles with just this one pad? If so I would suspect that could be a major problem with the pad unless you were cleaning it prior to each panel

[Dougw4355]

opps..I think we were composing replys at same time sorry about the redundant info

[el jefe]

thanks for all the help. Yes I did use the pad on two vehicles. I only cleaned the pad after each vehicle and when I was done for that day.

thanks again

[Meghan]

These guys are right you need to have a few more pads to work with and make sure you monitor how much product is in the pad with using it.