Placed an order for a PE14 :) quick questions!

bretster

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Placed an order for a PE14 - Quick questions!


It's coming on monday Im the MAN :dblthumb2::buffing:

Anyone have advice on which pads to use? This is my first rotary buffer and my 3M Perfect-it backing plate just came in today so we're good on that. I also have a question on how the backing plate "neck" i guess? how to extend the backing plate? Here are pictures for reference. Thanks all :)

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Re: Placed an order for a PE14:) quick questions!

It's coming on Monday Im the MAN :dblthumb2::buffing:

Anyone have advice on which pads to use?

I would recommend getting these to learn how to use a rotary buffer, it's just a lot easier to control a pad with a smaller footprint versus a larger pad.

From one of our recent set of Detailing 101 and 102 Classes.


Pictures & Comments from May 14th, 2011 Saturday Detailing 101


Shrink your pad size down when you're first starting to learn the way of the rotary buffer, if you look at the pictures from this class I had most everyone practicing with flexible backing plates and 5.5" foam pads.


Larry loves the Flex PE14 with a 7.5" Wool Cutting Pad and a Solo Flexible Backing Plate
Ma14class072.jpg



Frank in the two pictures below was actually very good with the rotary buffer, you could tell he's been using an RB for decade as he made it look so easy...

Ma14class073.jpg



That's a Flexi-Foam 5" Backing Plate with a 5.5" Hydro-Tech Crimson Pad... I highly recommend flexible backing plates, especially if you're new to the rotary buffer.
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I would also recommend getting the Optimum Adapter which positions your pad away from your rotary buffer about 3" or so and this can be really nice for these reason,

  • Lets you see better the component you're working on while you're buffing
  • Lets you buff around delicate areas with surgeon like precision
  • Enables you to get into and/or buff around tight or compact areas
Here you can see 3 different applications for using the adapter with small size foam pads.

  1. Buffing out window frames
  2. Buffing on side mirror
  3. Buffing in and around pinstriping
From this thread,

Bumblebee - Testing out the NEW DeWALT DWP849X

A good best practice with foam pads is to hold the pad flat to the surface whenever you can hold the pad flat to the surface. In situations where you cannot hold the pad flat to the surface then as an option you can hold the pad on edge. You're choice, rub the swirls out by hand, (actually with a couple of fingers pushing against some type of applicator pad), or by machine and the risks that go along with it...

I have some 3" pads that are not actually available. I asked Eric Dunn for these late last year and have been using them with great results. You can also see I'm using an Optimum Optimum Double-Sided Rotary Adapter attached to a 2-3/4 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Backing Plate with these small rotary buffer pads.


The adapter acts as an extension which allows me to better see where the pads touching the paint as I buff and also works sometimes to give you enough clearance to buff into tight areas.


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Re: Placed an order for a PE14:) quick questions!

Below are my two favorite backging plates, one is for 6" buffing pads and smaller and one is for 6.5" buffing pads and larger.

Flexible Backing Plates for Rotary Buffers


Flexible Backing Plates provide,
  • An extra level of cushion when using a rotary buffer which helps you when buffing on curved panel and over body lines.
  • The flexible foam interface heps to distribute pressure more evenly over the face of the buffing pad.
  • They can also make the buffing process less aggressive as compared to using a stiff backing plate which can help to reduce swirls.

Currently we have two flexible backing plates besides the flexible backing plate in the 1-Pad system, which is specific to the 1-Pad buffing pads.


  1. The Flex-Foam Heavy Duty Rotary Backing Plate, which has a 5" Diameter
  2. The Meguiar's Easy-Buff Solo Backing Plate, which has a 6" Diameter

Below are some pictures to show the size of the backing plates relative to some popular buffing pads to help you get an idea of the fitment of the backing plate to the hook-n-loop interface on the back of the buffing pads.

Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing Plate

FlexFoamBackingPlate.jpg




Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" CCS White Polishing Pad
FlexBackP001.jpg



Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" Cyan Hydro-Tech Pad
FlexBackP002.jpg



Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" Blue Finishing Flat Pad
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Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" on a Super Soft Gold Jewelling 6" Pad
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Meguiar's W66 Solo Backing Plate

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W66 Flexible Backing Plate on a 7.5" DuroWool 100% Twisted Wool Cutting Pad
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W66 Flexible Backing Plate on a 7" Kompressor Orange Light Cutting Pad
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W66 Backing Plate on a 6.5" CCS Red Ultrasoft Finishing Pad
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Note in this picture and all the above pictures the extra backing and or foam that sticks out past the outer edge of the backing plate. You want this extra material as a safety margin to help prevent running the outer edge of the backing plate into any painted areas, or around trim or other components like side view mirrors, rear wing spoilers, etc.

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Both of these flexible backing plates are excellent backing plates to have in your tool chest to go along with your rotary buffer.

All of the above backing plates and pads work great with all the rotary buffers on Autogeek.net

Rotary Buffers



:)
 
Re: Placed an order for a PE14:) quick questions!

I would strongly recommend reading through these threads,

Is it worth it to get the new Flex PE14-2-150?

New Flex PE14 - How to use ONLY a rotary buffer to finish out hologram free?

How do you stay away from holograms?

What am I doing wrong - Holograms after using the rotary buffer

Holograms all over a 2007 Honda Laguna Blue Pearl S2000

4 Part Process Still Has Swirls?



Here are some recommendations for learning how to use the rotary buffer.


Above all, work clean. This means clean your pads often, in fact, you should clean the face of the buffing pad after buffing each section. If you don't, then when you move to a new section you're going to be bringing to the new section spent product and removed paint that have built up on the face of the pad.

This will act to dilute, pollute and adulterate the fresh product you use for the new section.

You need to get a Spur to clean wool pads, don't use the caveman method of using a screwdriver, while it works and I've used one more than once in my life a spur is actually a tool designed to clean the pad without damaging the wool fibers.




Get a nylon pad conditioning brush for cleaning foam pads and if you really get into buffing full time and you're doing a lot of correction work then get a pad washer.

Hang tight for a picture...

:D


Always wipe off leftover residue from the section you just buffed before adding any fresh product if you're going to rebuff that section for the same reasons listed above.

Find a hood or trunk lid at a auto salvage yard to practice on. I go to our local auto salvage yard to get hods and they'll sell me a straight hood for an average of $80.00 that still has good paint to buff on.


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Price is determined by the value of the hood, whether it's bent or not or whether it's off a BMW or a Ford.

Then get a couple of saw horses or an X-stand or fender stand at your local PBE store for around $50.00 so you have something stable to set the hood on while you're practicing.


Another option is to find a junker car that no one cares about and buff out the entire thing. You'll learn a ton about holding and using the rotary buffer and if you make mistakes no one will care.

I don't recommend learning how to use a rotary buffer on anything that's important to you or someone else, like a Black Viper that belongs to a member of the local Viper club.

Don't wear any loose clothing or any kind of chain or jewelery around your neck when using a rotary buffer and it's a real good idea to wear safety glasses because you only have two eyes and you need them both for all of your life. My little sister is blind so I have a little experience of what it's like to not have your eye sight and it makes everything more of a challenge.


It's important to wear safety glasses anytime you're operating power tools...
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Running a rotary buffer all day can really wear you out if you're new to the rotary buffer as you'll use all your arm, shoulder, back, stomach and leg muscles to support and brace yourself and you'll only notice how much you used these muscles, later on that night or the next day. I always recommend wearing some type of shoe that gives you good ankle support for good ankle and leg support. Using the rotary buffer takes more leg muscles than any other power tool as you have to brace your body against the natural pull or push of the machine as you run it under pressure over a panel.

Dress comfortable, soft cotton t-shirt and jeans...

Hope that helps...



:)
 
Re: Placed an order for a PE14:) quick questions!

Here are 4 ways to clean foam and wool pads when using a rotary buffer

Wool Pad Spur
Foam Pad Conditioning Brush
Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer
Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer & Detailing Cart Combo
Terry Cloth Towel
(I get mine at my local gym)


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I have to get off the forum and prepare for video shoots this Thursday and Friday, should be back later today...

Here's a few more pictures I just took of some pads, backing plates and adapters for first time rotary buffer users...


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:buffing:
 
Anyone have advice on which pads to use?

This is my first rotary buffer and my 3M Perfect-it backing plate just came in today so we're good on that. I also have a question on how the backing plate "neck" i guess? how to extend the backing plate?

Here are pictures for reference.

Thanks all


Follow-up?
Hey! Did you get your Flex PE14?

Have you used it?

How about a follow-up post?


:poke:
 
Follow-up?
Hey! Did you get your Flex PE14?

Have you used it?

How about a follow-up post?


:poke:

I ordered the pe14 through amazon with the CG package (2 polishes, a glaze, 3 pads and a BP) and professional car care sent me a flex 3401 :bash:

slow return speeds due to being across america, okay customer service but what can i do I didnt do anything wrong lol.

Profession car care :nomore:
 
I ordered the pe14 through amazon with the CG package (2 polishes, a glaze, 3 pads and a BP) and professional car care sent me a flex 3401 :bash:

slow return speeds due to being across america, okay customer service but what can i do I didnt do anything wrong lol.

Profession car care :nomore:


Hmmm....

Not sure what to say about your experience...

We try to not only offer great prices and the best customer service around, but also this forum for getting help with the products we offer. Be sure to share with your car buddies where you get the best service and support.


:props:
 
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