Your choice LC pads?: Hybrids or Hydro-Tech
- Thread starter Hoytman
- Start date
Hybrids. But they are mostly Flex 3401 pads, although you can use the 6.5 on the Rupes. A starter kit would be 3 oranges, 3 blues, 4 whites and 2 blacks. Whites seem to degrade faster, and you use more often. Blacks last longer, since you don't press as much because it is (almost) always second or third steps.
But if you work as a detailer, you can get all kinds of combinations, on different paint systems. Sometimes the spot test surprises you, like a Menzerna 1000 and a blue pad, which you'd never thought it'd work, or M205 on gold. Keep an open mind and try odd, unheard combinations when your pre-conceived ideas doesn't seem to work as you wish it would.
The more I polish, the more I get amazed of the endless possibilities of combinations, with the wide array of nowadays excellent polish compounds and pad systems.
But Flex with hybrids, Rupes with Microfiber, and a rotary with a good foam pad is 80% of my lately work.
But if you work as a detailer, you can get all kinds of combinations, on different paint systems. Sometimes the spot test surprises you, like a Menzerna 1000 and a blue pad, which you'd never thought it'd work, or M205 on gold. Keep an open mind and try odd, unheard combinations when your pre-conceived ideas doesn't seem to work as you wish it would.
The more I polish, the more I get amazed of the endless possibilities of combinations, with the wide array of nowadays excellent polish compounds and pad systems.
But Flex with hybrids, Rupes with Microfiber, and a rotary with a good foam pad is 80% of my lately work.
SlvrDragon50
New member
- Jun 22, 2015
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So no need to waste money on hybrid pads if I'm just using a GG6?
I wouldn't say waste of money, since the pads are really good, and probably would have good results on GG6. But they were engineered for the 3401.
SlvrDragon50
New member
- Jun 22, 2015
- 104
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Gah, I suck at making decisions. I wish there was only one type of pad out...
I think I'm just gonna get the flats since it's a daily driver!
I think I'm just gonna get the flats since it's a daily driver!
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
I have two groups of pads stocked up. One is the Hydrotech line, and the other is Hex Logic/Buff and Shine.
I like my hex logic with SMAT polishes, although they work with DAT as well. I specifically use the green for cutting, blue for polishing, and red for sealant. The green and blue are American foams that are a softer density, but still have their own cut to them. The cells on the green is 60 pores per inch (ppi), which makes it a good light cutting / heavy polishing pad. The Blue is 60 ppi, making it great for general polishing duties. The red is a European foam. The advantage of these pads for me is that they easily contour to whatever surface they are on. I also like that the cells are open, and spent residue has a "place to go" without damaging the pad. They run much cooler, and are very easy to clean. This line of pads are what I started with on the random orbitals, so I got used to them. The green hex with Ultimate Compound is my default setting when all else fails. They are also very durable. I've had the same set (2 green, 2 blue, one red) since 2013!
I've used Menzerna on my Hydrotechs since day one. They are unbelievable. Because they are stiffer closed cell foams, the easily break down the diminishing abrasives in the menzerna polishes. The advantages are less product usage, and less pressure is needed to work the paint. My Meguiars produce is also excellent on the Hydrotech pads. There are some reports of these pads failing though, but I haven't experienced that peraonally. I have noticed that you need to keep them clean. Built up residue that has nowhere to escape will enter the foam cell, and rupture the membrane. This can hasten their wear. Once I see that the pad conditioning brush, and the terry towel aren't getting the pad clean enough, I switch pads. These pads also dislike heat. Because I can use less pressure with them, heat isn't an issue. There is a lot of what I consider "misinformation" out there saying that tons of pressure on these pads, and it just isn't true. If you need to work faster, learn to use a rotary.
Jason Rose of Meguiar's, when explaining how to use their d/a microfiber system said "Slow down to work faster". What he meant was to lower your a speed, to get the best, most effective performance from your system. I took that to apply to all of my systems.
I also have to mention my love for Lake Country CCS pads. I used those alot too. The classic Orange, White, and Grey with the Meguiar's Ultimate triplets is always a winner. The pink, green, blue, and red pads are great too.
For microfiber pads I generally use the rupes line.
I love pads. In my large container, I have about 160 pads alone. Around 200 total.
I like my hex logic with SMAT polishes, although they work with DAT as well. I specifically use the green for cutting, blue for polishing, and red for sealant. The green and blue are American foams that are a softer density, but still have their own cut to them. The cells on the green is 60 pores per inch (ppi), which makes it a good light cutting / heavy polishing pad. The Blue is 60 ppi, making it great for general polishing duties. The red is a European foam. The advantage of these pads for me is that they easily contour to whatever surface they are on. I also like that the cells are open, and spent residue has a "place to go" without damaging the pad. They run much cooler, and are very easy to clean. This line of pads are what I started with on the random orbitals, so I got used to them. The green hex with Ultimate Compound is my default setting when all else fails. They are also very durable. I've had the same set (2 green, 2 blue, one red) since 2013!
I've used Menzerna on my Hydrotechs since day one. They are unbelievable. Because they are stiffer closed cell foams, the easily break down the diminishing abrasives in the menzerna polishes. The advantages are less product usage, and less pressure is needed to work the paint. My Meguiars produce is also excellent on the Hydrotech pads. There are some reports of these pads failing though, but I haven't experienced that peraonally. I have noticed that you need to keep them clean. Built up residue that has nowhere to escape will enter the foam cell, and rupture the membrane. This can hasten their wear. Once I see that the pad conditioning brush, and the terry towel aren't getting the pad clean enough, I switch pads. These pads also dislike heat. Because I can use less pressure with them, heat isn't an issue. There is a lot of what I consider "misinformation" out there saying that tons of pressure on these pads, and it just isn't true. If you need to work faster, learn to use a rotary.
Jason Rose of Meguiar's, when explaining how to use their d/a microfiber system said "Slow down to work faster". What he meant was to lower your a speed, to get the best, most effective performance from your system. I took that to apply to all of my systems.
I also have to mention my love for Lake Country CCS pads. I used those alot too. The classic Orange, White, and Grey with the Meguiar's Ultimate triplets is always a winner. The pink, green, blue, and red pads are great too.
For microfiber pads I generally use the rupes line.
I love pads. In my large container, I have about 160 pads alone. Around 200 total.
Billy Baldone
New member
- May 11, 2011
- 1,205
- 0
I have both. I use them regularly on my Flex. I use the Hydrtecs with my PC with no issues. What products are you using?
Mike@DedicatedPerfection
New member
- Feb 26, 2011
- 12,365
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Above all, which machine are you trying to outfit them with?
It depends on the paint, and how much correction it is needed. MF is not pressure, like foam pads, you slide it over the panels, this is why you take advantage of the Rupes large throw. It is not a Flex 3401 thing.
Last edited:
Nice tip, my friend, thanks for sharing. It sure is a rule for the rotary, which I mostly run at 600 RPMs to 900/1000, but I will try run the DAs at lower speeds as well.:xyxthumbs:
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
In that particular system, Meguiar's da correction system, they operate the g110v2 on speed 4 (5 for the porter cable). Mr Rose was also talking about arm speed.
If I'm using Menzerna on LC Hydrotech pads, I'm usually at 4 - 4.5 for compounding, and 4.5 - 5 for polishing on the PC. It's as if they were designed to work together.
WRAPT C5Z06
New member
- Nov 12, 2009
- 12,615
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I think the hydrotech line works best with diminishing abrasives(Menzerna, etc..)
If your using a Flex, hybrid is the only way to go.
evspencer44
New member
- Apr 9, 2014
- 26
- 0
I am about to put the finishing touches on my first-ever detail - our 2012Camry Hybrid daily driver (62,000 miles to date), Barcelona Red, that had required a lot of swirl removal work. Now I have one panel left to detail and the process will be complete. To date I have used the LC 5.5" CCS pads - using orange, white and blue, and the same colors in the LC 3" flat pads. I am super-impressed with the results especially since I have never been very good working with mechanical devices or cars.
After washing, claying each panel I am using Wolfgang 3.0 TSR, 3.0 Finishing Glaze and topping off with Fuzion following Mike Phillips' very detailed instructions.
Since this might be the only vehicle I will ever detail, it has been a very rewarding experience that I would recommend to anyone who is considering making their first attempt at detailing.
This site and the incredible volume of helpful posts seem to answer every question I have had. It is amazing how many times I have encountered a problem and a timely post will appear here providing a number of possible solutions.
The PC 7424XP and the LC pads have provided a great set of tools that have had (to my newbie eyes anyway) absolutely stunning results.
Thanks to everyone that shares there experience and knowledge here!
I will be trying the LC Hydro-Tech 5.5" 3 pack on this last panel just for comparison sake.
Being a newbie the PC, LC, Wolfgang combination seems to be almost perfect for the beginner.
After washing, claying each panel I am using Wolfgang 3.0 TSR, 3.0 Finishing Glaze and topping off with Fuzion following Mike Phillips' very detailed instructions.
Since this might be the only vehicle I will ever detail, it has been a very rewarding experience that I would recommend to anyone who is considering making their first attempt at detailing.
This site and the incredible volume of helpful posts seem to answer every question I have had. It is amazing how many times I have encountered a problem and a timely post will appear here providing a number of possible solutions.
The PC 7424XP and the LC pads have provided a great set of tools that have had (to my newbie eyes anyway) absolutely stunning results.
Thanks to everyone that shares there experience and knowledge here!
I will be trying the LC Hydro-Tech 5.5" 3 pack on this last panel just for comparison sake.
Being a newbie the PC, LC, Wolfgang combination seems to be almost perfect for the beginner.
Dereksdtail
New member
- Jul 22, 2014
- 1,252
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Hydrotechs with pf2500 and fg400 and ccs with light polishes(up,m205,reflect) and I like flats for aio
4u2nvinmtl
New member
- Jun 9, 2015
- 443
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I use Hydro-Tech's with my PC-7424xp and M101 compound, and M205/CarPro Reflect polishes. Pads work great and correct fast, they acted better with Reflect than they did with M205.
*By "acted better" what I mean is; the pads didn't get as hot (were steaming after a few passes with M205, and not with reflect, same pad same technique) and the pads didn't collapse as much as they did with M205 (m205 is more liquid/runny than Reflect). There wasn't much dusting with either product but I'd give a slight edge to Reflect.
Same pad totally different experiences.
*By "acted better" what I mean is; the pads didn't get as hot (were steaming after a few passes with M205, and not with reflect, same pad same technique) and the pads didn't collapse as much as they did with M205 (m205 is more liquid/runny than Reflect). There wasn't much dusting with either product but I'd give a slight edge to Reflect.
Same pad totally different experiences.
Mike@DedicatedPerfection
New member
- Feb 26, 2011
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Thanks for providing your feedback. Very enjoyable to read.
Sounds good. IME, the Wolfgang polish lineup loves the Hydro-Tech pads. This combination works perfectly with each other. Please make sure to provide your experience with this combination as well.
:iagree: Even for the experienced detailer.
Perhaps start a new thread on on your feedback.
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
I've hammered my Tangerine pads, and haven't had any signs of collapse with m105, m205, PF2500, or SF4000.
Do you use a lot of pressure/product?
conman1395
New member
- Nov 23, 2013
- 1,622
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I never have that issue with any of my pads because I don't ever let my pads get that hot or work them that hard.
How many pads per step (compound or polish) are you using?