How to differentiate DA foam pads types?

[tedhw]

I have a pack of 6 different DA foam pads. They are generic, non-branded pads with different colours and thickness. And as far as I can tell they all have similar densities.

How do I differentiate which one is used for which level of cuts? (heavy cut, light cut, finishing, etc)

If you have branded pads like Megs / Lake Country, can you describe the difference between each pads (except the colors of course)?

[Setec Astronomy]

There aren't really that many pad mfrs, can you tell us what colors you have? Or do you have a picture?

[Mike Phillips]

In my how to book I recommend taking the time to visit the manufacturer and learning their color code system.

Detailing How-To Book and Detailing How-To E-book by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/64360-detailing-how-book-detailing-how-e-book.html)


Since there is no universal color code system that is truly the only way to find out what type of pads you have outside of asking the on the AGO forum like you've done.

Like Mike aka Setec Astronomy posted, share some pictures and you'll get a lot more help...


:xyxthumbs:

[tedhw]

Ok thanks guys, here are the pictures of the pads.. they are all 6"

As you see there are no reference of the mfg, model, etc. So how do I know which one is which?

Thing is those pads are quite affordable so I use them as practise for now and I can always step up to the better ones later!

18170

18171

18172

[c8n]

From what I can gather from my LC pads, the cutting pads are firmer and the finishing pads are softer.

[Setec Astronomy]

Ha ha, that's quite an assortment. What are those thick ones, like 2"?? Yellow pads like that are almost always cutting pads. Black are usually finishing pads, but for some mfrs black is cutting, if they seem really soft, as c8n said, they are probably finishing pads.

The blue and the pink...pink is pretty unusual, there is that LC pink, which is a very light cutting pad. Blue is usually a finishing pad, and white is usually polishing, although in the Edge system white is a finishing.

[tedhw]

Yeah the thick one is 5cm so it's 2"

They all feels to have the same density and texture, and if so, do you think the thicker ones are likely for cutting (most aggressive) and thinner ones for finishing?

You can see the thin black one looks squashed and overused after I tried it once for cutting.. so I guess its just a finishing pad!

[Setec Astronomy]

Are you in the US? If not that makes it a bit more difficult to figure things out, but usually thinner pads would be considered more aggressive.

[tedhw]

Not US, I am in Australia..

[Setec Astronomy]

Not US, I am in Australia..

Oh, then those colors are probably all upside down from what we use here :p

[kaanage]

Are they ZFE pads like the ones here Aliexpress.com : Buy 5x6"High Gross Polishing&Buffer Pad+1 Grip Backing pad from Reliable backing pads suppliers on ZFE Stores (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5x6-High-Gross-Polishing-Buffer-Pad-1-Grip-Backing-pad/801267_280279683.html)?

I got a bunch with my ZFE polisher in this kit Aliexpress.com : Buy New 710W Dual Action Machine Car Polisher/Buffer/Sander from Reliable car machine polisher suppliers on ZFE Stores (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-710W-Dual-Action-Machine-Car-Polisher-Buffer-Sander/801267_465867090.html)

All I could do was feel/squash them for coarseness and firmness and check vs the pad descriptions in some of the other the store items. The waffle ones don't seem to cut as much as the flat ones.

[Mike Phillips]

I have a pack of 6 different DA foam pads. They are generic, non-branded pads with different colors and thickness. And as far as I can tell they all have similar densities.




I've seen pads like that before. I have know way of telling you what each one will do as far as cut and finish but in simple terms, the harder or stiffer the foam the chances are better it's for cutting.

The soft or less stiff the foam then it's for polishing or waxing.

Be sure to mark the back of your backing plate and make sure you see your pad rotating if you're trying to remove defects.

Those pads look like they are too thick to be of much use especially after they start to get wet with product. This is a sign the pad manufacture either doesn't know what they are doing or they are not up to speed with the industry because when it comes to DA Polishers like the Porter Cable..

Thin is in...


Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/49489-video-mark-your-backing-plate-make-easy-see-pad-rotation.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1423/MarkYourBackingPlate01.jpg

Here's a quick video that show how and why to mark your backing plate to see and monitor pad rotation while doing any correction or polishing steps.





How To Check Pad Rotation on a DA Polisher -...



It's also important to maintain pad rotation with PC style tools when using a one-step cleaner/wax or AIO type product on neglected paint.

It's not vital to maintain pad rotating when applying a finishing wax or finishing paint sealant to a finish that you've just buffed out.

Note: Finishing Waxes and Finishing Paint Sealants would be of the type that don't offer any cleaning or abrading ability.


See my article here,

The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23263-difference-between-cleaner-wax-finishing-wax.html)
Subtitle: How To Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project



Also see these videos...

Video: How to remove shallow RIDS and how to machine apply both a paint sealant and a finishing wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48365-video-how-remove-shallow-rids-how-machine-apply-both-paint-sealant-finishing-wax.html)


Video: How to buff tight areas plus concave and convex curved panels by machine (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48368-video-how-buff-tight-areas-plus-concave-convex-curved-panels-machine.html)


Video: Tips for using a Rotary Buffer and the Flex 3401 on vertical panels (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48334-video-tips-using-rotary-buffer-flex-3401-vertical-panels.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[goodinblack]

Oh, then those colors are probably all upside down from what we use here :p

Lol

[swanicyouth]

Why don't you ask the place you bought them from?

[tedhw]

Are they ZFE pads like the ones here Aliexpress.com : Buy 5x6"High Gross Polishing&Buffer Pad+1 Grip Backing pad from Reliable backing pads suppliers on ZFE Stores (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5x6-High-Gross-Polishing-Buffer-Pad-1-Grip-Backing-pad/801267_280279683.html)?

Yes I got them from that same seller.

I was confused because it feels as if they are all made from the same density foam, the only differences are just the thickness and color. :confused:

Since they are not very dense they becomes much thinner when pressure is applied during use.

Anyway I have now switched to LC CCS foam pads and keeping it simple with just 3 colors: orange, white and black. And yes I can now tell the difference in densities between different pads. :thumbup: