Pads separating from backing while compounding with DA polisher.

TwoFoolsAMinute

TwoFoolsAMinute

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I've been attempting to compound my Ranchero with the DA. My first experience with one. And after about three or four squares, my foam pad separates from the hook and loop backing. I've watched Mike's vids and applying pressure at what feels like 10-15lbs including the weight of the polisher. Running at speed 5 which is giving the best results. I'm doing 20x20in squares horizontal pass, vertical pass, etc. Using orange Chemical Guys hex pad 5.5in on 5in backing plate and Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.

So, what am i doing wrong?
 
dpk20x said:
U just using one pad?
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I haven't even completed the hood yet. It's pretty large. I've gone through two pads with the same problem. I figured I should work out what I'm doing wrong before it gets really expensive.
 
Call CG. The backing should not be separating from the pad as you describe.
 
TwoFoolsAMinute said:
I haven't even completed the hood yet. It's pretty large. I've gone through two pads with the same problem. I figured I should work out what I'm doing wrong before it gets really expensive.
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Got ya. But are you using the same pad back to back? Meaning do you do a section, wipe off the product, then do the next section with the same pad?
 
I'd say there is something wrong with the pads. Even if you were using the same pad, it shouldn't heat up so much that it would cause the adhesive to give way.
 
Overheating is generally the cause of this type of pad failure

- Is the vehicle in the shade or sun?

- What model of backing plate to you have?

- How much polish are you using?

- Are you cleaning the pad "on the fly" between sections?

- How many seconds are you running the polisher on each section?

- Is your backing plate marked & is it rotating?
 
try it again with another pad and check the pad for heat with your hand but in the middle of the span of time you think you were going before things went haywire with the other pads.

CG hex pads are B&S pads as far as i've known, so, they should be high quality...but things happen.

personally i think it's just a heat issue. i suspect that you need to take a little bit of time between "squares"...which you should be doing anyway to check your work (and you might already be doing, i don't know).
 
Are u letting the maching stop working while still on the surface or are you pulling it away while still on? I have had one hex orange pad from cg blow in pieces on me when I first started using a da 3 years ago but I believe it got way to hot and to much product and as soon as I lifted it off the surface bam all kinds of orange foam everywhere.
 
Ok, sounds like I just need to be conscious of keeping the heat low.

How long should I work a square? I am probably overdoing it.

- Is the vehicle in the shade or sun? Sun, but I worked on cloudy days. Car is black, though, so still kinda hot.

- What model of backing plate to you have? Astro Pneumatic 5" I think.

- How much polish are you using? I squeeze and X on the pad like I saw in Mike Phillips video.

- Are you cleaning the pad "on the fly" between sections? I am not cleaning the pad between sections. How would I do that?

- How many seconds are you running the polisher on each section? I would say at least 30 seconds. Maybe too much?

- Is your backing plate marked & is it rotating? Yes, marked and rotating.
 
I suspect the backing plate is the issue.

Some have longer hooks, that do not play well with foam pads designed for DA polishers

You should try to polish in total shade, especially a black car

I suspect you are using too much polish

You need to clean on the fly. Mike P has a great thread on it.

Check out Mike Phillips videos, they are the best starting point to lead you to success.
 
I was using the same products on a Mustang earlier, except I was using a Dynabrade pad.

I try to stay away from the "x" pattern because I feel I get too much product in the middle of the pad where most of the heat is concentrated. Today I used the thin circle of product just in from the egde - to prime the pad and do the initial passes. From that point on, I only needed two or three pea sized drops per section pass.

I really like those Hex Logic pads. I actually prefer the green ones to cut. The pad is more pliable, and seems to run cooler.

Their Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow are open cell foam, and seem to offer a bit of cut from the blue up to the yellow. I think the Pink CCS is similar to the green Hex Logic. I'll find out for sure when they get here Friday!
 
You know this is exactly what happened to me when I started using CG pads just to see how they stood up, ive used the yellow and orange ones. So mostly just cutting pads. What I conclude from using them is that their not really meant for heavy duty polishing. I went through two yellow pads just polishing a new Hyundai Elantra. I would always place five dots of UC on the outer edge of the pad and always clean on the fly after every section. This would be on speed 6 and the glue on the velcro would melt andthey would just disintegrate while still on the paint. I thought that it was a bad set of pads, but I bought another two yellow pads two weeks after and still the same thing. CG makes some good stuff but I just stay away from their pads. I highly recommend switching over to Buff and shine. 1 yellow cutting pad would last me through two average size cars on speed 6 on a DA and heavy polishing and the velcrovwould have the same grip as a brand new pad.
 
I had one lake country 4" CCS pad that started to come unglued noticed it while i was washing it I just glued back on with 3M spray Glue (contact cement) ment for marine use. 3M Automotive, Marine & Aerospace : 3M? Hi-Tack 76 Spray Adhesive Clear, Net Wt 18.1 oz, 12 cans per case

Definitely a heat problem, I check mine each time I stop if it fells noticeably warm I switch pads to let it cool. Also I don't clay the whole car or truck first i do a panel or hood or roof plus few inches into next panel at time then polish or compound depending on what it needs then clay the next panel gives the machine the backing plate the pads time to cool (more necessary on vehicles that need heavy compounding polish). Also doing that I can stop wash pads out as needed spin then little to dry the press then put in front fan as i clay next panel the fan gets them done dry again.
 
allenk4 said:
I suspect the backing plate is the issue.

Some have longer hooks, that do not play well with foam pads designed for DA polishers

You should try to polish in total shade, especially a black car

I suspect you are using too much polish

You need to clean on the fly. Mike P has a great thread on it.

Check out Mike Phillips videos, they are the best starting point to lead you to success.
Click to expand...

I'm thinkin' along the same lines.

Bill
 
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