MF Pad System...Devil's Advocate Thread

Nick Chapman said:
So you're asking if you can get a pristine finish, using the finishing pad and the DA Compound?

That's gonna totally depend on your vehicles paint. I did several tests with the finishing pad on the Flex, using a cutting compound, and found that the microfiber material seems to be exactly the same on both the cutting and finishing pads. The only difference between the two would be the foam. Cutting pad being thinner and more dense. Finishing pad being thicker and less dense. It is very possible to cut with a finishing pad and a compound. But the results are going to depend on the vehicle you're working on. I was very successful at cutting using the Flex, finishing pad, and a cutting compound(M105 and DA Compound)

Is that the answer you were looking for?

Nick
Click to expand...
Just to clarify, you're saying that when using the Flex 3401, the cutting foam is what might have caused it to grab, not the actual MF itself? You got the same cut when using the cutting and finishing disc with the 3401 when using the D300 compound? With the finishing disc, flex 3401, and D300 compound, did it leave as nice a finish compared to the Griot's DA, cutting disc, and D300 compound?
 
The crossover of enthusiasts (like me) who like to use professional products packaged under the mirror glaze and detailer line seems to be a cause for some of the confusion.

It is important to keep in mind that Mr. Stoops himself has addressed the idea that the new system could be beneficial, and also can be overkill, depending on the number of cars and extent of correction one will be doing.

I applaud the Megs. Reps. and the professional detailers who weighed in for keeping the thread as product related as possible.
 
I rarely post but I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I am in a unique position here since I happen to be at the right place at the right time and I'm not one of the pros that Meguiar's selected to test the MF system. I was at a local retail store on February 1st and they happen to have a shipment that was coming in with the Meguiar's MF pads. It sounds like it was some sort of distributor/sales error since they weren't supposed to get them yet. I believe I was the only one they sold to before everyone realized the mistake. Either way, I snapped them up in all sizes and tried them when I got back home that afternoon.

I've used the surbuf pads quite a bit on my own three cars and a little bit on some family vehicles and I love them. The two things I don't like about them are when all of the little shreds of material come off the pad and end up everywhere AND that I can't throw them in the washing machine as I've had several where the backing separated.

I tried the new MF cutting pads with M105 since I didn't have the D300 compound yet. I was impressed with their cutting ability with 105 and I don't hesistate to say that they cut just about as good as the surbuf pads especially when lots of pressure is applied. But more importantly, I've thrown these pads in the washing machine 4 times now with regular Costco liquid detergent and they've held up great!

In my opinion, if you've used surbuf pads before, these new MF pads are a direct replacement with almost the same cut. Difference being they seem like they are going to last a whole lot longer.
 
cps said:
I rarely post but I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents.

I am in a unique position here since I happen to be at the right place at the right time and I'm not one of the pros that Meguiar's selected to test the MF system. I was at a local retail store on February 1st and they happen to have a shipment that was coming in with the Meguiar's MF pads. It sounds like it was some sort of distributor/sales error since they weren't supposed to get them yet. I believe I was the only one they sold to before everyone realized the mistake. Either way, I snapped them up in all sizes and tried them when I got back home that afternoon.

I've used the surbuf pads quite a bit on my own three cars and a little bit on some family vehicles and I love them. The two things I don't like about them are when all of the little shreds of material come off the pad and end up everywhere AND that I can't throw them in the washing machine as I've had several where the backing separated.

I tried the new MF cutting pads with M105 since I didn't have the D300 compound yet. I was impressed with their cutting ability with 105 and I don't hesistate to say that they cut just about as good as the surbuf pads especially when lots of pressure is applied. But more importantly, I've thrown these pads in the washing machine 4 times now with regular Costco liquid detergent and they've held up great!

In my opinion, if you've used surbuf pads before, these new MF pads are a direct replacement with almost the same cut. Difference being they seem like they are going to last a whole lot longer.
Click to expand...

Thats very cool... Thanks for posting. I had the fibers coming off initally with surbuff pads but after the loose ones came off on the first section that stopped. So would you say the surbuff pads correct with less pressure applied than with the mf pads?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Just to clarify, you're saying that when using the Flex 3401, the cutting foam is what might have caused it to grab, not the actual MF itself? You got the same cut when using the cutting and finishing disc with the 3401 when using the D300 compound? With the finishing disc, flex 3401, and D300 compound, did it leave as nice a finish compared to the Griot's DA, cutting disc, and D300 compound?
Click to expand...

I'm sure it is the added friction of the MF material is creating the grabby/jerky feeling with the Flex. With the added foam of the finishing disk, I'm assuming that it's absorbing some of the grabby and jerky feeling that came from using the cutting disk. I'm not 100% certain that the MF material is identical between the two pads, but visually they look the same, feel the same, etc... From my perspective, the foam is the only difference between the two pads.

As far as comparing the DA and a cutting disk to the Flex with a finishing disk side by side, I haven't done that yet. But would be happy to test the two and see how they compare to each other later this evening. But I did get great results using the Flex with a finishing pad to cut with.

Nick
 
Nick Chapman said:
I'm sure it is the added friction of the MF material creating the grabby and jerky feeling with the Flex. With the added foam of the finishing disk, I'm assuming that it's absorbing some of the grabby and jerky feeling that came from using the cutting disk. I'm not 100% certain that the MF material is identical between the two pads, but visually they look the same, feel the same, etc... From my perspective, the foam is the only difference between the two pads.

As far as comparing the DA and a cutting disk to the Flex with a finishing disk side by side, I haven't done that yet. But would be happy to test the two and see how they compare to each other later this evening. But I did get great results using the Flex with a finishing pad to cut with.

Nick
Click to expand...


That makes perfect sense, considering that one would be putting more pressure on the pad in the initial "deeper" correction stage, and less pressure in the refining process.

The flex is also a "jerkier" machine by its nature (being forced rotation), when compared to the standard ro machines.
 
Nick Chapman said:
I'm sure it is the added friction of the MF material is creating the grabby/jerky feeling with the Flex. With the added foam of the finishing disk, I'm assuming that it's absorbing some of the grabby and jerky feeling that came from using the cutting disk. I'm not 100% certain that the MF material is identical between the two pads, but visually they look the same, feel the same, etc... From my perspective, the foam is the only difference between the two pads.

As far as comparing the DA and a cutting disk to the Flex with a finishing disk side by side, I haven't done that yet. But would be happy to test the two and see how they compare to each other later this evening. But I did get great results using the Flex with a finishing pad to cut with.

Nick
Click to expand...
Id love to see a side by side of PC vs Flex with cutting and finishing..This new system is making me wonder if I even need my flex anymore:props:
 
rfinkle2 said:
That makes perfect sense, considering that one would be putting more pressure on the pad in the initial "deeper" correction stage, and less pressure in the refining process.
Click to expand...


Even with just the weight of the machine, the Flex was not incredibly difficult to handle, but it was still all over the place. It would be a chore to do an entire vehicle(for me) like that. I removed the cutting pad, and finished cutting using a finishing disk. I tried the Flex with the top handle, and also with the side handle. I had the same results with both. But like I said earlier, maybe I just got myself spoiled with the smoothness of the DA and the 5.5 cutting disk.

Nick
 
CEE DOG said:
Thats very cool... Thanks for posting. I had the fibers coming off initally with surbuff pads but after the loose ones came off on the first section that stopped. So would you say the surbuff pads correct with less pressure applied than with the mf pads?
Click to expand...

Yes, I would say that the Surbuf's correct with less pressure since for me I've found they only work well with very little pressure. They're either working or not working with only one setting of correction. With the MF pads, I've varied the pressure and found that the level of correction is in direct proportion to the amount of pressure applied. I think that's one more thing I like about them. But you make a valid point since my arms never are sore when I use the Surbuf's with just the weight of the PC XP.

And I agree that more pad material comes off of the surbuf's in the beginning and less as time goes on. I do have a couple of balding spots on a 7" surbuff that I've thrown in the washing machine though!
 
cps said:
Yes, I would say that the Surbuf's correct with less pressure since for me I've found they only work well with very little pressure. They're either working or not working with only one setting of correction. With the MF pads, I've varied the pressure and found that the level of correction is in direct proportion to the amount of pressure applied. I think that's one more thing I like about them. But you make a valid point since my arms never are sore when I use the Surbuf's with just the weight of the PC XP.
Click to expand...

Thanks again, thats what I thought you were saying. I thought that to be an interesting point you brought up since I had assumed the pressure used was similar to S/B pads untill your posting.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Nick,

That would be GREAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!! :props:
Click to expand...


Ok. Only thing I have at the house right now is some stock red Chevy paint on my van, and some incredibly soft custom paint on my Colorado Xtreme. It'll probably be better to do something like this on the van, since it's more like something you're gonna run across.

Nick
 
Nick Chapman said:
Ok. Only thing I have at the house right now is some stock red Chevy paint on my van, and some incredibly soft custom paint on my Colorado Xtreme. It'll probably be better to do something like this on the van, since it's more like something you're gonna run across.

Nick
Click to expand...
Awesome! :dblthumb2:

I'm very interested in the outcome as I have both the 3401 and Griot's DA, but would prefer to use the 3401.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Awesome! :dblthumb2:

I'm very interested in the outcome as I have both the 3401 and Griot's DA, but would prefer to use the 3401.
Click to expand...

As with just about any pad, I'd venture to guess faster correction with the flex, but more refinement will be needed than if using an ro.
 
Michael Stoops said:
My intent was not to come across as making a sales pitch, but rather to just clarify some misconceptions about the product and answer some direct questions. The 20+ test users who've had their hands on this for several months or more are currently the only people outside Meguiar's who know much about the system, and since they're not chiming in here (other than Nick, of course) I thought I would. We don't want misconceptions and misinformation out there about any product - so if it comes across as a sales pitch, well, then it does.
Click to expand...

I understand and thank you for the clarification.
 
rwright said:
I understand and thank you for the clarification.
Click to expand...
I honestly think Michael Stoops is a true stand up guy. He's very straight to the point and gives VERY good answers, IMO. Sure, he works for Meg's but I still feel like he gives unbiased answers. :xyxthumbs:
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
I honestly think Michael Stoops is a true stand up guy. He's very straight to the point and gives VERY good answers, IMO. Sure, he works for Meg's but I still feel like he gives unbiased answers. :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...
Mark just make me a promise that your not going to purchase another machine and remember I have first crack at your used ones LOL Im the MAN
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Awesome! :dblthumb2:

I'm very interested in the outcome as I have both the 3401 and Griot's DA, but would prefer to use the 3401.
Click to expand...


LOL! I just noticed your picture in your avatar, assuming that's really you in the picture, it's no wonder why you'd prefer the Flex over the DA. My arms are about the size of your pinky, so you probably wouldn't have the same issues as me with the Flex LOL!
 
Harleyguy said:
Mark just make me a promise that your not going to purchase another machine and remember I have first crack at your used ones LOL Im the MAN
Click to expand...
:laughing:

I'm actually very content with the 3401 and Griot's DA. :xyxthumbs: If the Griot's DA had forced rotation, I'd sell the 3401!
 
Nick Chapman said:
LOL! I just noticed your picture in your avatar, assuming that's really you in the picture, it's no wonder why you'd prefer the Flex over the DA. My arms are about the size of your pinky, so you probably wouldn't have the same issues as me with the Flex LOL!
Click to expand...


that is his little brother...j/k
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top