anyone using TWO DA's?

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keegancarcare

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I find changing the pad on my Meguiar's MT320 to be really difficult - I'm worried I'm gonna damage a pad. In addition it's time consuming. I am seriously considering buying a second one - one machine for compounding and one for polishing. As a pro detailer speed and convenience are important.

Am I crazy!? :)
 
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keegancarcare said:
I find changing the pad on my Meguiar's MT320 to be really difficult - I'm worried I'm gonna damage a pad. In addition it's time consuming. I am seriously considering buting a second one - ne machine for compunding and one for polishing. As a pro detailer speed andc onvenience is important.

Am I crazy!? :)
Click to expand...

Are you implying putting a different pad on each and doing the whole job with just one pad each?
 
98CayenneTA said:
Are you implying putting a different pad on each and doing the whole job with just one pad each?
Click to expand...

Well, not exactly (because your reply has indicated I should be using multiple pads and I'm willing to do that :) ). However, most of the time I can get away with one compounding and one polishing pad because I only do light correction on some panels - not the whole car and I just want to make things a little easier. Changing (Meguiars) pads frequently is a pain at the moment. I was thinking that having two machines at the ready (with different pads) would make work a little easier. However, I recently buffed more or less a whole vehicle (light correction) and cleaned the pad as I went. But after doing more research I definitely plan on getting plenty more pads.

The thing is, I'm also considering reintroducing a rotary to my kit too. Your ideas / suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for your reply.
 
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Well you should be changing pads frequently enough that I wouldn't think that would be the driver for a second machine.

But having multiple types of machines makes absolute sense. 8mm da, 15, 22, 3", 5", forced rotation DA, rotary, etc.
 
Is the pad damage concern stem from removing the pad off the velcro on the backing plate And being worried about the bad ripping apart?
 
Normally you’d need about 6 pads for each step anyways. So you’re going to buy a dozen polishers?

Just change the pad.

It makes sense if the machines are different, maybe a 3” and 5” polisher, or one being forced and one being free spinning, but two of the same just to avoid changing pads makes no sense.
 
+1 for using more pads - neither compounding or polishing is a one pad affair!

If you’re a professional doing this for money, it sounds like you should look into a forced rotation unit like dwaleke mentions. The Flex machines especially are very popular with folks where time is money as you can work through a job without worrying about pitch perfect technique to maintain pad rotation (thus: correction). Rupes and Makita also have forced rotation machines.

If you’re having trouble getting pads off your backing plate, try sliding a popsicle stick or something similar between the pad and plate to start separating the Velcro so you’re not pulling on the foam risking damaging your pads. If your backing plate/pads bond that well, maybe you could put a small piece of tape at the edge of the backing plate to give your finger somewhere to slide in to start separating them.
The moments spent changing pads will pay off greatly both in the quality of results and the speed of cut of a fresh pad.

How many pads have you been using per step?

Also, to answer the title of the thread - I’m a hobbyist and I use 2 machines. I’ve got a Griot’s G9 (DA) I use with both 6.5 and 5.5” pads (and appropriate backing plates) as well as a G8 3” (DA). Just upgraded to the G8 from the previous generation; it came with a 2” backing plate as well so I’ve now got a lot of options to match the machine/pad to the area getting corrected.
 
A polisher for each pad. (If only.)

Many Detailers on this forum have related
that have used upwards of 15-20 pads, or
more, on some jobs.

Imagine what they’d have to charge their
Customers in order to make a career out
of Detailing...let alone any chance for an
acceptable R.O.I.

These factoids, alone, would be cause
enough: for me to learn how to efficiently
change out buffing pads—POSTHASTE!

{Practice; practice; practice. :cheers: }


Bob
 
Haven't had to change the backing plate on any of my Rupes (LHR21 Mk3, 75E and iBrid Nano) due to pad separation related damage, the Claw pad removal tool Rupes sells makes it quick and painless to swap pads on their buffers.

Now my old Flex BEAST Hand Warmer edition is another story, the backing plate did start to peel away at the edges, but I think it had more to do with how hot it gets at the head of the BEAST (at least the older ones) and less the pad changes. At around $40 a backing plate every few years, can't really complain there either.
 
Steal a silverware knife from the kitchen. Just don't let your wife catch you.
 
Damn, I came on here because I thought the OP was ambidextrous and really wanted to get at it.

Nope, same boring one machine at a time stuff.
 
I'm not clear on why it so difficult for the OP to change pads?

I have used 20 pads in one machine session. Pull one off, stick one on. Couldn't be more simple.
 
keegancarcare said:
I find changing the pad on my Meguiar's MT320 to be really difficult - I'm worried I'm gonna damage a pad. In addition it's time consuming. I am seriously considering buying a second one - one machine for compounding and one for polishing. As a pro detailer speed and convenience are important.
Click to expand...

I use Multiple Flex units and run two but one on each side of the vehicle usually. I may alternate between a larger pad and a smaller pad but usually I just change them out. I swap pad usually every panel some larger panels use multiple pads. Never a worry on the pads or backing plates. Both are nearly indestructible. Lake Country pads are awesome. Best speed increase you'll see is to use a rotary for cutting or a forced rotation unit. I use both.
 
@opie @PaulMys Thanks for your reply. I think the rupes claw tool will do the trick. I just find removing the Meguiars pads to be really difficult compared to others.
 
reply to oneheadlite who wrote: "+1 for using more pads - neither compounding or polishing is a one pad affair!

If you’re a professional doing this for money, it sounds like you should look into a forced rotation unit like dwaleke mentions. The Flex machines especially are very popular with folks where time is money as you can work through a job without worrying about pitch perfect technique to maintain pad rotation (thus: correction). Rupes and Makita also have forced rotation machines.

If you’re having trouble getting pads off your backing plate, try sliding a popsicle stick or something similar between the pad and plate to start separating the Velcro so you’re not pulling on the foam risking damaging your pads. If your backing plate/pads bond that well, maybe you could put a small piece of tape at the edge of the backing plate to give your finger somewhere to slide in to start separating them.
The moments spent changing pads will pay off greatly both in the quality of results and the speed of cut of a fresh pad.

How many pads have you been using per step?

Also, to answer the title of the thread - I’m a hobbyist and I use 2 machines. I’ve got a Griot’s G9 (DA) I use with both 6.5 and 5.5” pads (and appropriate backing plates) as well as a G8 3” (DA). Just upgraded to the G8 from the previous generation; it came with a 2” backing plate as well so I’ve now got a lot of options to match the machine/pad to the area getting corrected."

Thanks very much. In addition to the MT320 have a small drill operated rotary and a drill operated DA but I think a proper rotary would be a great addition. Good tip for removing pads!
 
@opie Yeah, scared of ripping the pad and it happens to be really difficult compared to any other types of pads I have ever used (that said I love the Meguairs's machine and pads).
 
@Bruno Yeah totally - after doing more research (a) I realise that there is a great tool for removing pads) and (b) I definitely will get more pads (up til now my detailing has been mostly tidying up neglected cars rather than any serious correction).
 
oneheadlite said:
+1 for using more pads - neither compounding or polishing is a one pad affair!

If you’re a professional doing this for money, it sounds like you should look into a forced rotation unit like dwaleke mentions. The Flex machines especially are very popular with folks where time is money as you can work through a job without worrying about pitch perfect technique to maintain pad rotation (thus: correction). Rupes and Makita also have forced rotation machines.

If you’re having trouble getting pads off your backing plate, try sliding a popsicle stick or something similar between the pad and plate to start separating the Velcro so you’re not pulling on the foam risking damaging your pads. If your backing plate/pads bond that well, maybe you could put a small piece of tape at the edge of the backing plate to give your finger somewhere to slide in to start separating them.
The moments spent changing pads will pay off greatly both in the quality of results and the speed of cut of a fresh pad.

How many pads have you been using per step?

Also, to answer the title of the thread - I’m a hobbyist and I use 2 machines. I’ve got a Griot’s G9 (DA) I use with both 6.5 and 5.5” pads (and appropriate backing plates) as well as a G8 3” (DA). Just upgraded to the G8 from the previous generation; it came with a 2” backing plate as well so I’ve now got a lot of options to match the machine/pad to the area getting corrected.
Click to expand...

Really appreciate this well thought out and helpful reply! This is what makes the internet great :)
 
Thanks guys for all of the replies (even if some were a bit blunt I still learned from them)! I have been cleaning cars for 35 years and I'm still learning. Just recently I becaome a detailer for work for the second time in my life. Up til now I haven't done a huge amount of machine polishing (although I have used a rotary with success as far back as 1998). Your replies have been helpful to me and I will most like get a second machine - probably a rotary, as well as a Rupes claw and lots more pads! :)
 
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