Confused on cut of Hybrid pad colors??

FinishingTouchA

FinishingTouchA

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So I just received my order of Hybrid pads and after feeling and looking at them I'm a bit confused on the order that LC lists them as far as cut and finish.

Lake Country:
Orange - Heavy Cutting
Blue - Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Finishing
Gold - Jeweling

Upon inspection I would list them like so:
Blue - Heavy Cutting
Orange - Light cutting
Gold - Very Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Jeweling

Blue is very big open cell like a Rupes cutting pad. And Gold is a very dense foam. Does LC have these listed incorrectly, or am I just out of the loop of knowledge on cell structure and what makes a cutting pad vs a finishing pad?
 
The orange pad should be firmer than the blue. Usually the density of the pad determines relative cut.

In Lake Country's CCS line, the Pink pad is rougher than even the yellow, but it's listed as a light cutting/heavy polishing pad. That pad always destroyed swirls for me using Ultimate Compound or M105.
 
FinishingTouchA said:
So I just received my order of Hybrid pads and after feeling and looking at them I'm a bit confused on the order that LC lists them as far as cut and finish.

Lake Country:
Orange - Heavy Cutting
Blue - Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Finishing
Gold - Jeweling

Upon inspection I would list them like so:
Blue - Heavy Cutting
Orange - Light cutting
Gold - Very Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Jeweling

Blue is very big open cell like a Rupes cutting pad. And Gold is a very dense foam. Does LC have these listed incorrectly, or am I just out of the loop of knowledge on cell structure and what makes a cutting pad vs a finishing pad?
Click to expand...

The orange hybrid is definitely more agressive than the blue. I think it's actually listed as the most agressive foam pad LC offers. I have mostly used the blue pad when compounding as it has always been sufficient. The white polishing pad is more aggressive than some other polishing pads, but still finishes really well for me. I've used a black pad with Menzerna SF4500 with really good results too. I haven't used any of the wax/sealant pads so I can't comment on them.
 
The gold pad is for jeweling, don't be fooled by the apparent smooth feel of the surface of the black pad in ranking it as better. The gold pad will compress and give more than the black, taking some of the energy of the machine's work with it.

When talking about polishing at that fine a level, Black or gold won't matter unless you're using a polish so fine that the cut from it alone is minimal. Of course, that means you've used a previous polishing step to get ready for that type of work.

Compounds and polishes are really just "liquefied sandpaper" of a sort. Using an aggressiveness chart allows you to compare the different brands and step down appropriately just like you do when sanding to get a better finish.

You can think of pads in sort of the same way.
 
I can appreciate and understand your
confusion regarding buffing pads.

As such, and, IMO:
I believe that in order to better understand what
each "type" (and not necessarily the "color") of
buffing pad is capable of during the buffing processes:

Manufacturers', and vendors', descriptions and
characteristics of foam (and: wool; MF;"specialty")
pads...should definitely include, where applicable:
Density; compression rate; whether it's reticulated,
or not; and the PPI of each pad.



Bob
 
aim4squirrels said:
The gold pad is for jeweling, don't be fooled by the apparent smooth feel of the surface of the black pad in ranking it as better. The gold pad will compress and give more than the black, taking some of the energy of the machine's work with it.

When talking about polishing at that fine a level, Black or gold won't matter unless you're using a polish so fine that the cut from it alone is minimal. Of course, that means you've used a previous polishing step to get ready for that type of work.

Compounds and polishes are really just "liquefied sandpaper" of a sort. Using an aggressiveness chart allows you to compare the different brands and step down appropriately just like you do when sanding to get a better finish.

You can think of pads in sort of the same way.
Click to expand...

Still a bit confused. The gold pad is just as dense as the orange pad, I don't see how it could possibly compress like the black pad. The black pad feels like a white Rupes pad.

Anyways, I got the chance to try the white pad with Menz 3in1 today and I'm in love! Honestly though, still like the Rupes more. The Rupes 21 with Rupes Yellow pad had more cut and a better finish with equal pressure, passes, working time, etc.
 
FUNX650 said:
I
Manufacturers', and vendors', descriptions and
characteristics of foam (and: wool; MF;"specialty")
pads...should definitely include, where applicable:
Density; compression rate; whether it's reticulated,
or not; and the PPI of each pad.
Click to expand...

To me this is like comparing engines based upon various aspects on engine construction but does not really tranlate directly to how much hp, torque it puts out.

I would prefer to see an standard industry comparison method that provides results - cut , gloss, etc.that actual relate to polishing and not how it is made.
 
Bunky said:
To me this is like comparing engines based upon various aspects on engine construction but does not really tranlate directly to how much hp, torque it puts out.
Click to expand...
Talk about trying to confuse the issue!

Bunky said:
I would prefer to see an standard industry comparison method that provides results - cut , gloss, etc.that actual relate to polishing and not how it is made.
Click to expand...

I urge you to also get to know the true
aggressiveness-values of the compounds
or polishes you are working with.


Bob
 
FinishingTouchA said:
Still a bit confused. The gold pad is just as dense as the orange pad, I don't see how it could possibly compress like the black pad. The black pad feels like a white Rupes pad.



Anyways, I got the chance to try the white pad with Menz 3in1 today and I'm in love! Honestly though, still like the Rupes more. The Rupes 21 with Rupes Yellow pad had more cut and a better finish with equal pressure, passes, working time, etc.
Click to expand...


Are you using hybrids with the 3401 and smack method? I've been using a 21 for quite a while now and just picked up a flex 8 weeks ago. At first the flex wasn't even close in terms of time, but it's been slowly closing the gap as I get more hours on it and refine my smack technique.

I also just loaded up in rupes pads so the 21 jumped ahead again due to better foam combos.

Since I use the 3401 with 5" pads and the 21 with 7" equivalents, it's not really a fair time comparison. But the flex is a huge time saver on bumpers and some quarter panels.
 
FinishingTouchA said:
So I just received my order of Hybrid pads and after feeling and looking at them I'm a bit confused on the order that LC lists them as far as cut and finish.

Lake Country:
Orange - Heavy Cutting
Blue - Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Finishing
Gold - Jeweling

Upon inspection I would list them like so:
Blue - Heavy Cutting
Orange - Light cutting
Gold - Very Light Cutting
White - Polishing
Black - Jeweling

Blue is very big open cell like a Rupes cutting pad. And Gold is a very dense foam. Does LC have these listed incorrectly, or am I just out of the loop of knowledge on cell structure and what makes a cutting pad vs a finishing pad?
Click to expand...

I agree with you regardless of what the charts claim. The Orange is firm initially but becomes soft after a single section and doesn't seem to regain its initial new out the packet firmness after a use or wash. The Blue is more coarse and more firm and maintains its integrity.
 
Hi
Everyone

I need suggestion, which is pad better


Gold Finishing Pad vs Black Finishing Pad

And

Red Finishing Pad vs White Polishing Pad

Regards
Farhan
 
farhan3108 said:
Hi
Everyone

I need suggestion, which is pad better


Gold Finishing Pad vs Black Finishing Pad

And

Red Finishing Pad vs White Polishing Pad

Regards
Farhan
Click to expand...

Update on this, I've found after using the Smack method I actually love the 3401 and Hybrid Pads. I only use the wool, orange, white, and black.
Wool = Extreme Heavy Cut
Orange = Heavy Cut
White = Polishing, great for AIO
Black = Finishing, Great for wax application or super fine polish
 
sweatthedetails said:
I only use the purple foam, blue, and white. I feel any more is really overkill.
Click to expand...

Well IDK about Florida, but here in Oregon 80 percent of the vehicles we do are full size pickups. And 50 percent of those have deep brush (tree branches and other bushes) scratches and RIDS galore. My go to for a 1-step on most vehicles is a MF Cutting pad and FG400 straight to sealant.
 
I use the Rupes Blue mf and the Optimum Cutting mf pads. Tried the FG400 on both and it breaks down already when spreading it out and gums up the fibres. I prefer using FG400 with wool if I need more cut over foam. Rupes Zephir or Quarz work better on mf pads than Menzerna.
 
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