4" Pads on Griots Garage

[civicsi13]

Any advantage to using a 2 7/8" backing plate for a rotary polisher with an adapter to fit a dual action versus using a 2 7/8" backing plate made for a dual action? Wanting to use some 4" pads with the griots garage random orbital and want to make sure I go the best route.

[ski2]

2 7/8" BP is too small for 4" pads--too much of the pad hangs over the edge of the BP--2 7/8" BP is for 3" pads. I use a 3.5" BP that is perfect for 4" pads with my GG DA.

[Setec Astronomy]

3.5" Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate- porter cable 7424XP hook and loop backing plate 3.5 inch.

[Donnym]

Stay away from that 2 7/8" backing pad...!!!! It does not stand up the heat generated by the friction. Not only did the
hook-n-loop disc separate from the backing pad but my 4" white LC pad melted to it and I can't pull it off. Go with the yellow pad.

[civicsi13]

Thanks guys. Also is it worth upgrading the 6" BP that comes with the GG DA or is it sufficient quality? Ideally i'm wanting to use a 3.5" and 5.5" or 6" backing plate setup so I have smaller pads for small tighter areas and large pads for the larger bigger areas. Leaning towards the CC hydro tech pads. Any issues with 4" CC hydro techs on the GG DA?

[Vegas Transplant]

No advantage at all unless you own a rotary also which you can use it on.
Just one more part to lose or misplace (adaptor).

[civicsi13]

No advantage at all unless you own a rotary also which you can use it on.
Just one more part to lose or misplace (adaptor).

I do own a rotary also but have little experience with it. Have used it mostly with a wool pad removing wax, not ideal but was happy with the results at the time as a young teen.

Was thinking maybe the 4" pad setup on my makita 9227c would be good for spot correction. Then invest in the gg da for the rest of the vehicle using LC hydro tech pads. Ive never used a DA befor but was always comfortable using the rotary despite my lack of knowledge on it at all.

My new BLACK Civic SI is in need of some tlc and I want to get her looking like a show car. I will be using Wolfgang tsr with cyan pad, fg with tangerine pad, and dgps with crimson pad as well as some wet sanding for my first time on one bad scratch thats down to the primer about 3"-4" long. I've done lots of research and watched lots of videos and feel comfortable jumping into wet sanding. It may need a lil touch up paint also but i'm confident I can make it ten times better.

Plan to follow up any sanded areas with a wool pad and wg uber compound. Im still up in the air as far as what polisher and size pads i'm gonna use. Since it would be my first time i'm not sure i'm ready to take on a full correction with the rotary since the paint isn't bad overall. Just a few isolated areas that are gonna need more than a quick polishing and a little extra attention. Mostly micro swirls from bad wash mit/towels, few light scratches from neighbors cats, couple light scuff marks that are in the clear decently.

What do you guys think I should do? I really wanna give the rotary a try being I already have it, just have to invest in pads/backing plates.

[civicsi13]

Thats some of the stuff I got going on to correct. Please excuse the dirty car cause its been raining once a week and cold lol. I think last time I clayed it induced some micro scratches or maring not sure but its almost got a hologram effect to it even though the cars never seen a machine. Happened in the process of claying and using wg ppe followed with dgps, I blame the clay but i cant get pictures of it cause the car is dirty. Maybe removing the dirt exposed the truth

[civicsi13]

[ChinoRican]

That first pic looks like a scratch you could probably feel with your fingernail.. if so then you'd have to fill that in a bit with some color and level it. You can do it with the rotary but from what I'm reading on here, our GG DA should be able to do the trick.. I imagine especially so with a smaller BP and pad.