TheGLL
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- Aug 26, 2009
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Great, thanks for the information.
5" and 6" Backing Plates on 6.5" pads (Pictures to show safety margin)
- Thread starter Mike Phillips
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Great, thanks for the information.
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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***Update***
I just went out into the AGTG and tested out both the 5" and the 6" backing plates on 3 different 6.5" CCS pads, these included the orange cutting pad, the white polishing pad and the gray/black finishing pads and both backing plates worked perfectly fine with these size pads.
Here's something important to consider...
The cutting and polishing pads use foam that are quite a bit denser or stiffer than any of the finishing foam pad formulas and this makes a big difference in how the size of a backing plate works with the pad as does the SPEED SETTING.
With foam cutting and polishing pads you're going to be at the higher speed settings, typically 4.0 to 6.0 with most people primarily using 5.0 to 6.0
Because the foam is stiffer for these pads then at these speed settings the smaller backing plate still works just fine with more safety margin around the outside of the pad where there's no backing plate.
Foam finishing pads should be used on the lower speed settings because if you're using a soft, foam finishing pad you should be done with the work steps or the correction steps and applying either a non-abrasive glaze or polish or a finishing wax, thus you don't need the high speeds and should be using the 3.0 to 4.0 speed settings.
At these speeds with the softer, less stiff foam pad formulas, again, the smaller 5" backing plates work just fine.
I just went out into the AGTG and tested out both the 5" and the 6" backing plates on 3 different 6.5" CCS pads, these included the orange cutting pad, the white polishing pad and the gray/black finishing pads and both backing plates worked perfectly fine with these size pads.
Here's something important to consider...
The cutting and polishing pads use foam that are quite a bit denser or stiffer than any of the finishing foam pad formulas and this makes a big difference in how the size of a backing plate works with the pad as does the SPEED SETTING.
With foam cutting and polishing pads you're going to be at the higher speed settings, typically 4.0 to 6.0 with most people primarily using 5.0 to 6.0
Because the foam is stiffer for these pads then at these speed settings the smaller backing plate still works just fine with more safety margin around the outside of the pad where there's no backing plate.
Foam finishing pads should be used on the lower speed settings because if you're using a soft, foam finishing pad you should be done with the work steps or the correction steps and applying either a non-abrasive glaze or polish or a finishing wax, thus you don't need the high speeds and should be using the 3.0 to 4.0 speed settings.
At these speeds with the softer, less stiff foam pad formulas, again, the smaller 5" backing plates work just fine.
Mike Phillips
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Please elaborate?
I thought what I wrote made perfect sense, especially after just going out and running the two polishers with identical backing plates with all the different pads mentioned at the listed recommended speed settings.
Everything looked, felt and worked normal and perfect. Actually would have taken a video but couldn't peel away a warm body to run the camera.
I'm going to look into a remote for the T1i
D_Nyholm
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- Nov 26, 2007
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I didn't realize this thread was still going on. I am going to have to take a quick video of what happens when I use the 6.5" white pad (not low profile) on a porter cable 7424 at speed 6 so you can show me what I am doing wrong. It is honestly unuseable. I can slow it down, but then it won't break down the polish for a LONG time. Hopefully i can get a quick vid up this weekend to show you.
Thanks
Thanks
Mike Phillips
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Speed 6 on any of the DA Polishers is pretty fast, you need to make sure you don't turn the polisher on until it's in contact with the paint at all times.
You're not holding this in the air and doing this are you?
D_Nyholm
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- Nov 26, 2007
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Speed 6 on any of the DA Polishers is pretty fast, you need to make sure you don't turn the polisher on until it's in contact with the paint at all times.
You're not holding this in the air and doing this are you?
No Sir!
I could have the polisher off, start it on while being on the paint and slowly turn it up. After about speed 4, the pad starts to get floppy, but 5-6, it is all over the place and unuseable.Mike Phillips
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***Update***
Here's 5" backing plates on 5.5" pads to show how they fit. Shown are the Meguiar's W67DA and the Edge DA 500 on 5.5" Hydro-Tech pads and 5.5" CCS pads
5.5" Hydro-Tech pads
5.5" CCS pads
Here's 5" backing plates on 5.5" pads to show how they fit. Shown are the Meguiar's W67DA and the Edge DA 500 on 5.5" Hydro-Tech pads and 5.5" CCS pads
5.5" Hydro-Tech pads
5.5" CCS pads
Mike Phillips
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The 5" is perfect, it's actually about 4 7/8" so you have a little margin for safety.
:xyxthumbs:
S2K
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I like your recommendation giving a little room for error but I am wondering why the PC comes with a 5" backing plate but the Megs and the GG come with a 6" plate. Is it possible to buy the GG with a 5" plate? I am trying to decide which polisher to buy and I like the GG because of the warranty but would rather not have to buy two plates when I will want to use both the 5.5" and 6.5" pads, when having only one plate would do everything I need it to do.
Hi everyone, I have a similar question, but its with regards to my flex rotary. Would it be ok to use 5" backing plate with 6.5" LC flat pads? Do any of you notice strange behavior/or pads not cutting like its suppose to? I never take the buffer beyond speed 2 (1800RPM), thanks in advance everyone!
Mike Phillips
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I like your recommendation giving a little room for error but I am wondering why the PC comes with a 5" backing plate but the Megs and the GG come with a 6" plate.
I'm pretty sure the PC "by itself" comes with a Porter Cable factory polishing pad with a permanently attached backing plate. If you want a dedicated backing plate you have to order one.
As for why Megs and Griot's come with larger backing plates? Meg's promotes 7" pads for their polisher and Griot's promotes 6.5" pads with their polisher.
You want to balance safety margin with adequate support behind the working surface of the foam pad. If you're just starting out, get a 5" backing plate and start with 5.5" pads no matter which polisher you purchase.
As and add-on...
See my answer above for "balance"
You can use an undersized backing plate for a foam pad, personal preference, I've met people that like buffing like this, it's makes the outer edgy real gushy and flexible, that can be a good thing but that outer area won't distribute pressure like the portion of the foam pad that is backed by backing plate.
If that makes sense...
but that outer area won't distribute pressure like the portion of the foam pad that is backed by backing plate.
If that makes sense...
Thanks Mike! Let me get one thing straight though, you are saying if I tilt my pads at a slight angle, then I should put a little bit of pressure on the pad?
Thanks in advance, your input is greatly appreciated.
Mike Phillips
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No, you should always try to buff with a foam pad flat to surface whenever possible. Of course curves, thin panels and tight areas mean buffing on just a portion of the face of pad but that's the exception, not the rule.
sohail99
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Just the info I was looking for!
Thanks a lot Mike!
btw I have a similar doubt
I'll be getting a DeWalt DA(basically a random orbital sander)
it comes with a 6" backing plate(attached permanently)
(Unfortunately, this is all I can get here in my country!)
Since I'll be starting out with this polisher. What'll be the best pad size keeping in mind the safety margin(and me being new to operating a DA)? (I'm guessing 6.5"?)
Thanks :buffing:
Thanks a lot Mike!
btw I have a similar doubt
I'll be getting a DeWalt DA(basically a random orbital sander)
it comes with a 6" backing plate(attached permanently)
(Unfortunately, this is all I can get here in my country!)
Since I'll be starting out with this polisher. What'll be the best pad size keeping in mind the safety margin(and me being new to operating a DA)? (I'm guessing 6.5"?)
Thanks :buffing:
Hi Folks
I am new here and have a BOSCH random orbital sander with a 5" backing plate. As I am not situated in US and wanted to save on freight. I had juz ordered the 6pack set of 6.5" last week
thought it was recommeded size for 5" backing plate from the product page) Hopefully it will not overkill the obrital sander - resulting overheating or under power? As a new hope it is not "oversized" for me to handle.. still pending for shipment. wish me luck!
Arrhh.. should have read this thread before I proceed with my purchase.
I am new here and have a BOSCH random orbital sander with a 5" backing plate. As I am not situated in US and wanted to save on freight. I had juz ordered the 6pack set of 6.5" last week
thought it was recommeded size for 5" backing plate from the product page) Hopefully it will not overkill the obrital sander - resulting overheating or under power? As a new hope it is not "oversized" for me to handle.. still pending for shipment. wish me luck!Arrhh.. should have read this thread before I proceed with my purchase.