Before I start picking up a DA polisher I have a lot of unanswered questions ...

[pilotpip]

Whatever you go with, Porter Cable, Griots, HF, whatever, I'd strongly suggest going with thin pads from whatever manufacturer you choose. They work very well with the short throw polishers.

[Paul A.]

^ couldn't agree more with pilotpip. Get as many as you can afford.

[PaulMys]

Whatever you go with, Porter Cable, Griots, HF, whatever, I'd strongly suggest going with thin pads from whatever manufacturer you choose. They work very well with the short throw polishers.

The thin pads do work very good with the 8mm polishers.

However, you can get some very excellent results with standard (7/8") pads as well.

dlc95 turned me on to his "light touch" technique on the PC, and I swear, it really works.

Kudos again to you, Dan!

[Wanna Learn]

I thought the thicker foam pads helped protect the paint from newbies pressing too hard as they cushion somewhat.

Unfortunately, I need to scrap the whole idea of using a DA as we hit a bump in the road and no extra money for "fun" stuff! ��

[UncleDavy]

I started out using the thick pads and a Porter Cable 7424XP. The thinner pads do a much better job and they let the machine do the work for you. It is not necessary to press that hard where you need more cushion. The Griots GG6 has more usable power than the Porter Cable and a smoother running machine. You can occasionally find a sale where you can get the GG6 for less than $130.00.

[pilotpip]

I thought the thicker foam pads helped protect the paint from newbies pressing too hard as they cushion somewhat.

Unfortunately, I need to scrap the whole idea of using a DA as we hit a bump in the road and no extra money for "fun" stuff! ��

Sorry to hear that.

Unless the clear is really thin, and you run nonstop on an edge it's going to be difficult to damage your paint with any of the modern polishes and a short throw machine. The PC stalls with even the slightest extra pressure. If you have uneven pressure, it stalls. If you get to an edge and don't ease up, it stalls. Thicker pads work just fine (I have a bunch of CCS pads) but the thin pros work a lot better. By better I mean I usually see the results I want with 4 or 5 passes vs 5 or 6. I have a truck and a large SUV, that extra pass can mean a couple hours when you multiply it over all those sections you're working one at a time.

[dlc95]

The thin pads do work very good with the 8mm polishers.

However, you can get some very excellent results with standard (7/8") pads as well.

dlc95 turned me on to his "light touch" technique on the PC, and I swear, it really works.

Kudos again to you, Dan!

Thanks, Paul!

[dlc95]

For a basic, entry level tool that can easily be used in a professional situation, I'm partial to the Porter Cable 7424, or the 7424xp. I've used the HF d/a, and the Griot's. I my opinion they're too similar to make me want to give up the PC. To find something really different I look to a a machine with a larger orbit stroke, or forced rotation. You could definitely start with something like a Flex 3401 if you wanted, but I thing something like the PC or GG6 would do just fine.

I use the standard Buff and Shine grip pads, or Lake Country Hydrotech. I do like the thin pads, but again, not different enough for me to make a wholesale change.

[Mike Phillips]

I thought the thicker foam pads helped protect the paint from newbies pressing too hard as they cushion somewhat.

This is true.

With the thin pads on the market, Lake Country, Meguiar's and Griot's options, the backing plate is VERY CLOSE to the paint.


In my detailing classes, I stick with thicker pads for the 8mm free spinning tools, which are the FIRST tools covered in all my classes for the simple reason of safety. I bring in a LOT of cool cars for people to learn on and I never know the experience or skill level of the people attending the classes.

What's more important is for everyone to build a foundation of best practices and proper technique and I can teach that using either Lake Country 7/8" Flat Pads, which still rotate great on entry level tools or the Buff and Shine Uro Tech pads. The B&S pads are a tick thicker than the Lake Country Flat pads but because I predominantly show the Griot's 6" ROP for the first tool of the class, this tool has more than enough power to spin these pads.


Here's something on thin pads from 2010 - car detailing history....


Thin is in...

[Mike Phillips]

Unfortunately, I need to scrap the whole idea of using a DA as we hit a bump in the road and no extra money for "fun" stuff!

No problem.... maybe down the road. Regardless, your thread will now be read by thousands of people via Google Search Engine results plus forum searching and even just happenstance....


I always type for the future, never the moment, a technique that continues to serve me well as well as branding my own name and not a forum nickname especially as the OS for so many topics and even terms in this industry.


So here's something for everyone that will find this thread into the future....



5.5" SUPER THIN FOAM PAD OPTIONS for your Dual Action Polisher