HF polisher eats HF foam pads

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guy48065

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What am I doing wrong?
The Harbor Freight 6" foam pads have a 5" felt disk to attach the the Velcro backer. If I use a 5" backing pad the edge of the backer cuts into the bare foam surrounding the felt disk until chunks start to fly off. If I use a 6" backer the rough Velcro chews up the exposed foam and slings the dust everywhere.
I'm going thru at least 2 pads per product, per vehicle and making a mess.
 
Invest in a better backing plate and pads.
 
While I am a HF fan, there are things I would never buy there.

The polisher and polishing pads might just be #1 on that list.

Take Mike's advice above............:xyxthumbs:
 
Well I read here about how great it worked at a bargain price :dunno:
I already replaced the backing plate (5" & 6") & also tried the Porter Cable DA. It performed identical.

Now I see new pads recommended that are microfiber... But nearly all the pro videos are either foam or wool, making me wonder if the new thing is just another attempt to separate us from our money.
 
They all have different purposes. I like MF for cutting. And yes all this stuff is designed to separate us from our money.

The P/C performs the same but is smoother and easier on the body. It will get the job done but with a lot more vibration along the way.

The reviews you read here saying a good value for money were probably really old. I personally woulda paid the difference and got a Griots G9.

Replacing the packing grease along with the new backing plates should help.

Invest in good pads and polish. For an not too expensive option maybe try the Lake Country Flat pads.


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guy48065 said:
Well I read here about how great it worked at a bargain price :dunno:
I already replaced the backing plate (5" & 6") & also tried the Porter Cable DA. It performed identical.

Now I see new pads recommended that are microfiber... But nearly all the pro videos are either foam or wool, making me wonder if the new thing is just another attempt to separate us from our money.
Click to expand...

But did you try better pads?
 
Are you using only two pads per vehicle?

Are you using the yellow Baure pads from HF?
 
I used an HF polisher for 7~8 years. While the polisher is a crude, yet adequate tool, their pads are total garbage.

I quickly learned, just like you have, the pads will never survive more than one job. They quickly separate from the backing plate and they thrown chuncks/dust everyone. I also don't feel they actually polished all that well compared to other options on the market.

Take the advice already given: Get a better backing plate and a better pads. Also get a few more pads and at least a couple different cut levels of pads to make sure you have options for anything you might encounter. Two aren't nearly enough.

Getting a better backing plate and pads was a game changer for me. Up front it took a little investment, but in the long run I saved money because the good pads will last far longer.
 
Yeah I put this "system" together years ago when it was all the rage here & on YouTube and did all the recommended stuff that made it competitive with the brands that cost many X more.
Replaced the backing plates.
Repacked with good grease.
Replaced the soft screws with socket-head screws.

And then I was "done" and never followed the topic again.
My stack of pads are all that old too and have been used maybe once. I suspect much of the problem is the foam decaying with time (not use) as I don't recall this much trouble with previous use.

I need new pads and a co-worker that paints cars has offered to give me a couple Lake Country pads too see if I like them. Nice guy there.
 
guy48065 said:
Yeah I put this "system" together years ago when it was all the rage here & on YouTube and did all the recommended stuff that made it competitive with the brands that cost many X more.
Replaced the backing plates.
Repacked with good grease.
Replaced the soft screws with socket-head screws.

And then I was "done" and never followed the topic again.
My stack of pads are all that old too and have been used maybe once. I suspect much of the problem is the foam decaying with time (not use) as I don't recall this much trouble with previous use.

I need new pads and a co-worker that paints cars has offered to give me a couple Lake Country pads too see if I like them. Nice guy there.
Click to expand...

The LC pads are light years ahead of the HF pads. Let us know how they work.
 
That pad/plate combo is a bit of a mismatch.

I remember the 6" plate eating the "6"" Pads because the pads were slightly undersized. Good pads though. They were a lot like the old Lake Country Hydrotech - at least the blue polishing and orange cutting. The black finishing is an open cell, similar to the Lake Country grey finishing pad.

They so have long throw style pads that directly mimic the original Rupes pad line up. Those fit a 6" backing plate perfectly.
 
The HF polisher has been good for me, crude but strong. I’m not trying to be a tool but sometimes if you’re super aggressive and load up the pads with to much product the pads will self destruct, if it happens again with the LC pads then look into your technique. Too much heat on the pad is never good
 
I’ll take a wild guess and say you’re possibly 1 of those guys who does 4-5min. polishing cycles? If so, that’s the problem. Don’t be that guy.

Destroying pads that way becomes an even bigger problem on a long throw 3” polishers. I’ve pretty much started correcting headlights by hand because I was destroying 3” pads nearly everytime I restored headlights. It’s amazing how easy it is by hand with the proper applicator and some Mothers.
 
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