best types of foam buffing pads to use?

[Richard44]

What are the best types of foam buffing pads to use I'm new to the da polisher and see there are so many different types of pads at all different price ranges. All I know is you have to keep plenty on hand the busier you get. I have a PorterCable 7424 xp hd model da. Thanks Richard44:pc7424:

[spiralout462]

5.5" low profile pads from Lake Country are the most popular choice. They work great, are easy to clean, and are durable. IMO

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html?highlight=maximize

[sharpreflection]

I agree the low profile 5.5 inch flat pads are the best. I would get more orange and yellow than the other colors if defects you are trying to remove are bad. But if you are doing a newer car and the defects are not that bad then orange and white.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using AG Online

[mpkav]

I just ordered 12 of the Lake Country CCS 5.5". 6 of which are the orange pads for correction. I'm still working to get some swirls/scratches out.

[dorkiedoode]

Lake Country Flat Pads. I got 5 white, 2 orange, 2 black, and 1 blue. I have a lot of white because the car Im working on have soft paint. It just comes down to what type of paint youre working on. Also make sure you get at least 4 cutting pads. I started with 2 only and it was such a hassle.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

+1 for Lake Country.

I really like the 5.5 hydro tech pads.

[silverfox]

The ones stated here are great choices but I prefer the Buff and Shine 5" pads the most.

[ObsessiveAutoDetail]

The ones stated here are great choices but I prefer the Buff and Shine 5" pads the most.

+1 on those Buff n' Shine pads. I use the 5.5" pads myself.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[Mike Phillips]

What are the best types of foam buffing pads to use I'm new to the da polisher and see there are so many different types of pads at all different price ranges. All I know is you have to keep plenty on hand the busier you get. I have a PorterCable 7424 xp hd model da. Thanks Richard44:pc7424:



If you're starting out with a DA Polisher like the PC then get the Lake Country 5" Backing Plate and the Lake Country 5.5" Flat Pad to start with. These are the easiest pad to learn how to use and master and then down the road you can try out different types of 5.5" pads like the Hydro-Tech or CCS pads.

Many, and I mean MANY of the show cars we've buffed out here at Autogeek and turned horrific swirled-out hack jobs into show winning cars have been buffed out using the Lake Country 5.5" buffing pads.

Both of these cars were buffed out using Pinnacle Polishes and Lake Country 5.5" flat pads and every time Tommy shows one of these cars not only do people try to buy them from him but he tends to win first place and best of show awards...




1970 Barracuda Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/56293-1970-barracuda-extreme-makeover.html)


Before

Completely filled with holograms from the mis-use of a rotary buffer!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1572/Tommys70Cuda009.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1572/Tommys70Cuda013.jpg



After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1572/Tommys70Cuda031.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1572/Tommys70Cuda032.jpg



Before

Swirls, scratches and DA Haze...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1279/1970Camaro029.jpg


Pigtails and Tracers plus lots of swirls...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1279/1970Camaro028.jpg


After

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1279/1970Camaro061.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1279/1970Camaro068.jpg



Lake Country makes GREAT pads and I'm very good friends with Eric Dunn, the Senior Account Manager, which his title might not sound like he's the man behind Lake Country Pads but he is the main guy and not only is he an expert at pad technology he's also a real "Car Guy" that nows how to wetsand, cut and buff.


Lake Country 5 1/2 inch Flat Foam Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-edge-pads.html)


Both those cars were also corrected and polished to perfection using Pinnacle polishes and waxes, Tommy is a complete Pinnacle guy and the finish on his cars does the talking for him...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1572/Tommys70Cuda000.jpg

:xyxthumbs:

[poweraid]

I have all the lc pads but I like the hybrids the best . never tried any megs pads. I really want to try some b&s pads though .

[Mike Phillips]

This car was give a true show car finish using Pinnacle polishes and Lake Country 5.5" Flat Pads...


1939 Lincoln Zephyr - Swirls Removed - Show Car Finish Restored (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/44292-1939-lincoln-zephyr-swirls-removed-modeled-nicole.html)



Before
Before Frank drove the car into the studio I had him park it in front of Autogeek in full sun.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr014.jpg


Here are the pictures I took showing the true condition of the paint.....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr015.jpg


These next shots are all cropped out from the above picture...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr015b.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr015c.jpg


The entire finish was swirled-out...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr016.jpg

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr065.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr066.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr068.jpg





Same for this car...



1959 Chevrolet El Camino - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/44228-1959-chevrolet-el-camino-extreme-makeover-modeled-christina.html)


Before

Inspecting the paint
After wiping the exterior down using Detailer's Pro Series Waterless Wash it was time to inspect the paint for swirls using artificial lights...

The entire finish looks like this...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino011.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino012.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino032.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino033.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino034.jpg



After

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino085.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino102.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino090.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino083.jpg



When using the Porter Cable or any of these types of DA Polishers you can't go wrong with the 5.5" LC pads.

Also, since they are open cell, they are easy to wash and rinse for re-use.

I cover all of this in my how-to book and we even used the Lincoln on the cover...



Mike Phillips’ The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine Paperback Book (http://www.autogeek.net/how-to-create-a-show-car-shine-book.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1313/Second_Edition_How_To_Book.jpg


:)