Can you get a mirror finish with orange cutting pad?

[pman626]

I'm pretty new to DA polishing.

I bought the blue pad from harbor freight, and with Megs ultimate compound, I was able to polish up the dull clear coat on my car which sits in the sun all day.

My blue pad is chewed up by the backing plate. So I need a new pad.

I think the blue pad is a little soft.

Can I get the same smooth finish with the firmer orange cutting pad with lighter pressure?

[BobbyG]

I really can't comment on the blue pad from Harbor Freight, sorry.

A Lake Country Orange foam pad is a light cutting pad and you'd be very surprised how fine a finish can be achieved when using it along with the right product. Read through the following information which explains the difference in pads and their usage..


Foam Pads


Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.

[pman626]

I believe the HF orange pad is like the orange light cutting foam.

HF advertises the orange pad as "no mar finish".

[DogRescuer]

I'm pretty new to DA polishing.

I bought the blue pad from harbor freight, and with Megs ultimate compound, I was able to polish up the dull clear coat on my car which sits in the sun all day.

My blue pad is chewed up by the backing plate. So I need a new pad.

I think the blue pad is a little soft.

Can I get the same smooth finish with the firmer orange cutting pad with lighter pressure?

Yes, but let me say that with my limited experience the prep before you polish with any pad/product is super important in getting what you are wanting I do the following:

1. Wash
2. Baggie test
3. Ironx (again up to you)
4. Clay clay clay
5. Wipe clean
6. Baggie test- making sure metal is smooth as possible- which is where your shine comes from
7. Polish
8. Wax/Seal- your choice
9. Step back and admire

[Just02896]

Absolutely! This was done with orange pads and Sonax PF.

[ski2]

[QUOTE=pman626;1096198]
My blue pad is chewed up by the backing plate. So I need a new pad.
QUOTE]

The HF backing plate is too large for the velcro on the HF pads. So you need a quality 5" backing plate which will then allow you to use quality 5.5" pads like the LC flat pads. And you need at least 4 pads for each step in your polishing process. Example: 4 orange for heavier defect removal, 4 white for polishing and a couple of blue or black or red for applying LSPs.

If you're trying to do an entire car with one or two pads the heat build up will cause the Velcro detach from the foam. (The problem you mention in your other post.) You also need to "clean the pad on the fly" to keep spent polish and removed paint from building up in the pad thus causing over saturation, more heat and separating Velcro.

[CDot]

I bought the blue pad from harbor freight, and with Megs ultimate compound

The Harbor Freight DA is very good (with the grease mod), but the backing plate/pads are not.

The HF backing plate is too large for the velcro on the HF pads. So you need a quality 5" backing plate which will then allow you to use quality 5.5" pads like the LC flat pads.

^^This. I got the Chemical Guys HexLogic Pads/backing plate, but any quality bp/pads will do.

[HUMP DIESEL]

Yes, depending on the paint. I use an Orange Uber pad with my Rupes 15 and Sonax Perfect finish with killer results.

HUMP

[Vortech5.0]

Yes you can definitely get a mirror finish with an orange pad, but use a white pad after for even better results.

These pics were with an orange pad and M105. I couldn't believe the shine and reflection that I got out of it. But in the right light and angle you could definitely see that it needed further steps.

[spiralout462]

I'm pretty new to DA polishing.

I bought the blue pad from harbor freight, and with Megs ultimate compound, I was able to polish up the dull clear coat on my car which sits in the sun all day.

My blue pad is chewed up by the backing plate. So I need a new pad.

I think the blue pad is a little soft.

Can I get the same smooth finish with the firmer orange cutting pad with lighter pressure?

One new pad? I would be looking for new pads. To get that mirror finish you desire, multiple clean pads will be needed! I wouldn't use less than 6 for a one step polishing process. Bobby G listed some great articles!