Foam pad size

daves120

daves120

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What is the advantage of switching from a 6.5inch CCS pad to a 5.5 inch CCS pad? I have both the GG ROB and the Flex 3401. Besides the pads being cheaper, is there an advantage when correcting paint?

I am planning on ordering some more pads tonight and would greatly appreciate some feedback. Also tell me what type of pad would be most beneficial for using compunds and polishes. Currently I have Optimum and Mazerna is the cabinet.

Feed back please
 
With the Griott's and other polishers with http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ting-spindle-assembly-story-behind-story.html the advantage of a smaller pad is less surface area. With a larger pad the machine may have a harder time keeping the pad rotating.

The Flex 3401 has forced rotation, it doesn't have to "try" to keep rotating. The larger pads cover more area, saving time. Also, the outer edge of a pad moves faster than the inner area possibly equating to faster correction. Bigger pad, faster pad speed. Again, a time saver.

Why not a big 20" pad just for big flat sections then? Torque. Imagine trying to break a seized bolt with a very short wrench, it's hard. Put a long handle on it and it's easy. Now imagine I'm gripping the bolt by the threads and trying to twist it against you holding it with the wrench, I could never apply the torque necessary do it. It's the same both way's. The motor doesn't have enough torque to drive such a large diameter pad with the friction against the paint. Which brings me to a benefit of smaller pads.

Tool life. A smaller pad puts less strain on the motor, possibly resulting in longer life for your tools. Money saver.

My favorite foam pads- Lake Country 6.5 FLAT Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!
 
In my opinion, as well as countless others, 6 1/2 inch pads are too big for the Porter Cable 7424 style dual action polisher.....The Flex 3401 is fine using the 6 1/2" CCS Pads due to its powerful motor and forced rotation.

The Porter Cable 7424 style dual action polisher should come standard with 5 1/2 inch pads and corresponding backing plate.

Pads & Friction

The size or surface area does not directly affect the frictional force between two surfaces until downward force or pressure is applied. Reducing the pad size will only improve the mechanical efficiency of the machine.

The motor of your polisher produces some amount of power. The larger the pad surface area the harder the motor must work. Now, most will say "it's only 1 extra inch", but when it comes to surface area and friction your really talking about an additional 10 square inches. Now take a look at the difference between the 5 1/2", 6 1/2" and 7" pad...........Size does matter!

Surface Area - 5 1/2 pad = 23.75 in²

Surface Area - 6 1/2 pad = 33.18 in²

Surface Area - 7 pad = 38.484 in²

There is a direct relationship between the pad surface area and the polishers ability to transfer adequate power to the pad improving it's overall performance.

Lake Country Pads

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

Backing Plate

lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate
 
Thanks for the explanations and advice.
 
daves120 said:
Any advice on the Hydro-tech pads?
Click to expand...

While I've never used them they seem to get decent reviews. I ordered some and they arrived today but I haven't opened the box yet.....

5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Hydro-Tech Cyan Finishing Foam Pad
5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Hydro-Tech Tangerine Ultra Finishing Foam Pad
5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Hydro-Tech Crimson Finishing Foam Pad

Use the search function and see what it turns up...
 
BobbyG said:
In my opinion, as well as countless others, 6 1/2 inch pads are too big for the Porter Cable 7424 style dual action polisher.....The Flex 3401 is fine using the 6 1/2" CCS Pads due to its powerful motor and forced rotation.

The Porter Cable 7424 style dual action polisher should come standard with 5 1/2 inch pads and corresponding backing plate.

Pads & Friction

The size or surface area does not directly affect the frictional force between two surfaces until downward force or pressure is applied. Reducing the pad size will only improve the mechanical efficiency of the machine.

The motor of your polisher produces some amount of power. The larger the pad surface area the harder the motor must work. Now, most will say "it's only 1 extra inch", but when it comes to surface area and friction your really talking about an additional 10 square inches. Now take a look at the difference between the 5 1/2", 6 1/2" and 7" pad...........Size does matter!

Surface Area - 5 1/2 pad = 23.75 in²

Surface Area - 6 1/2 pad = 33.18 in²

Surface Area - 7 pad = 38.484 in²

There is a direct relationship between the pad surface area and the polishers ability to transfer adequate power to the pad improving it's overall performance.

Lake Country Pads

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

Backing Plate

lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate
Click to expand...


+1
The 5.5 inch pads will work a lot better with the Griot's DA while the flex can easily handle 6.5 inch pads because its a lot more powereful.

I went from 6.5 to 5.5 and notice a huge improvement in corrections when using a DA. The 6.5 inch pads just weren't cutting it.

Good luck with your purchase. :xyxthumbs:
 
I have purchased another backing plate for the Flex and intend to cut it down to use with 5.5" pads. Hopefully it will perform better with this set-up. Has anyone tried this yet? If so, how much better did it perform with the smaller pads?
 
there is a 4.375 bp for the flex to use 5.5 pads so u don't have to cut down the stock bp .
 
Let me know how the hex ogic pad work out. I have been thinking about trying them myself.

As for the smaller backing plate, I am curious about the amount of pad hanging off each side of the plate. Will this cause the pad to not work as effectively?
 
daves120 said:
Let me know how the hex ogic pad work out. I have been thinking about trying them myself.

As for the smaller backing plate, I am curious about the amount of pad hanging off each side of the plate. Will this cause the pad to not work as effectively?
Click to expand...

I have one of the white hex logic pads, it's a larger size. I really like it, which is why I am ordering 2 of the yellow ones and one orange one, in the 5.5" size.
 
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