5.5" and 6.5" Surbuf pads

[clm65]

The description on the AG website for the 5.5" and 6.5" surbuf pads calls out a 5" backing plate for both sizes. Is this a typo? I would think the 6.5" pads would use a 6" backing plate.

[Mister B]

That should be correct. The 5" backing plate is what you would use for 5.5" and 6.5" foam pads as well.

[clm65]

Thanks Mister B.

I wonder why the GG ROP comes with a 6" BP if the 5" BP is more appropriate for both 5.5" and 6.5" pads. When would I use the 6" BP? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to all this and just trying to understand!

[Mister B]

I think a lot of reason for the 5" backing plate and 6.5" pads is just more safety room so that someone new to polishing does not accidentally run the edge of the backing plate into the paint.

Maybe read over this Article by Mike Phillips. It discusses and shows both the 5" and 6" backing plates with various size pads. Maybe it will answer some of your questions better.

5" and 6" Backing Plates on 6.5" pads (Pictures to show safety margin)

[Mike Phillips]

Hang on, I took some more pictures of backing plates and Surbuf pads...

The 6” backing plate should be used with the 6.5” Surbuf pads and the 5” backing plate should be used with the 5.5” Surbuf pads and the 3.5” backing plate should be used with the 4” Surbuf pads.

This means if you're using the stock Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher, you want to order the 6.5" Surbuf pads.

If you want to use 5.5" or 4" Surbuf pads, then you need to order the matching backing plates as they will fit onto the Griot's Garage ROP as well as all Porter Cable DA Polishers and all Meguiar's DA Polishers and also all versions of the UDM...


Hang on for the pictures...

[clm65]

Thanks again. That link helps - I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that has been confused by this!

Bottom line, it look like I should use the 5" BP for both size pads. If for some reason the 6.5" pad becomes unstable, I'll switch to the 6" BP...and be very careful.

[Mister B]

The 6” backing plate should be used with the 6.5” Surbuf pads and the 5” backing plate should be used with the 5.5” Surbuf pads and the 3.5” backing plate should be used with the 4” Surbuf pads.

So why can you not use the 5" backing plate with the 6.5" Surbuf pads like we do with foam polishing pads? Is it only because you get more effective use (cutting action) out of the entire face of the Surbuf pad because you have more even distribution of pressure across the entire face of the pad with the larger backing plate, or is there some other reason for not wanting to use the 5" backing plate with the 6.5" Surbuf's?

[Mike Phillips]

So why can you not use the 5" backing plate with the 6.5" Surbuf pads like we do with foam polishing pads? Is it only because you get more effective use (cutting action) out of the entire face of the Surbuf pad because you have more even distribution of pressure across the entire face of the pad with the larger backing plate,

Couldn't have typed it up any better myself...

or is there some other reason for not wanting to use the 5" backing plate with the 6.5" Surbuf?

The foam cushiony between the face of the pad with the MicroFingers and the Velcro backing is a very soft, cushiony, pliable, easily compressed foam, it will curl up around the edge of the backing plate easily.

You can use a smaller backing plate in keeping with personal preference, but that's up to you...

[Mike Phillips]

Pictures tell a thousand words, this should help you to visualize the dimensions of backing plate sizes to Surbuf MicroFinger Buffing Pads sizes.

Note: Most backing plates are under size from their stated diameter by a small amount.


This is the hook and loop side of a 6" Griot's Garage Backing plate attached to a Griot's Garage ROP Polisher.

Griot's Garage 6" Backing Plate measures 5 3/4" diameter






Note: Surbuf Microfiber Buffing Pads are not always perfectly round, the Velcro backing appears to warp their shape a little. Just want to point this out so no one panics when they go to put the backing plate on and notice his characteristic.


This is the hook and loop side of a 6.5" Surbuf MicroFinger Buffing Pad. It measures 6.5" across the diameter of the pad.






Here is a 6.5" Surbuf MicroFinger Buffing pad affixed to the backing plate on a 6" Griot's Garage ROP



Sorry for the out of focus picture, but to make sure everyone is clear, this shows the edge of the 6.5" Surbuf pad on the 6.5 measurement on the ruler.




From left to right,
6" LC Backing Plate in front of 6.5" Surbuf Microfiber Buffing - 5" LC Backing Plate in front of 5.5" Surbuf Microfiber Buffing - 3.5" LC Backing Plate in front of 4" Surbuf Microfiber Buffing Pad.





Below are the same backing plates attached to their corresponding Surbuf Microfiber Buffing pads as pictured above.

Note: The black marks are marks we placed on the backing plates so students in our class can easily see if the pads are rotating or not when learning to use a DA Polisher.


For reference, the LC 6" hook and loop backing plate measures 5 7/8" in diameter




For reference, the LC 5" hook and loop backing plate measures 4 7/8" in diameter



For reference, the LC 3.5" hook and loop backing plate measures 3. 7/16" in diameter



5.5" Surbuf MicroFinger Pad with 6.5" MicroFinger buffing pads side by side for size reference.



Products shown above

Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Buffer
Surbuf R Series 4 Inch Buffing Pads 2 Pack
Surbuf R Series 5.5 Inch Buffing Pads 2 Pack
Surbuf R Series 6.5 Inch Buffing Pads 2 Pack
3.5" LC Dual Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate
5" LC Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate
6" LC Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate

[Mister B]

The foam cushiony between the face of the pad with the MicroFingers and the Velcro backing is a very soft, cushiony, pliable, easily compressed foam, it will curl up around the edge of the backing plate easily.

OK gotcha. I did not realize the Surbuf's foam was so soft.

Thanks