How many pads?

h8dirtycars

h8dirtycars

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I just received my two GG DA's. The 6" and 3".

It seems GG tries to keep it simple, which is why I went with them, in addition to their customer service. I'm going to follow the basic rule, which is least aggressive and move up if I have to.
My basic question is, how many pads per car? I know I have to clean the pads as I go, but I've been reading that 3 pads are needed per car. If the pads are kept clean during the work, is it necessary, or is the switching pads done to save time? I would imagine unless the pad is damaged, it's ok to continue with it till the car is finished.

I'm not going to the BOSS pads unless I need to. This is my first foray with the DA's and am trying to keep it simple unless forced to up the game.

And one more question, please. On three cars that belong to my family members, I'm pretty sure I have to start with the Correcting Cream. However, with my car which is newer and only has some light swirling and scratches, I plan on using SwirlX, and if needed moving to ScratchX then the Correcting Cream if needed.
Also, I'm just going to prep the areas where the light correcting is necessary with GG Synthetic Clay, and just do those areas with the 3", as the areas are the thinner parts of the car.
The other cars are getting the whole treatments.

Thanks.
 
Theoretically, you could use 1 pad of each color that you need. You would need to brush out the dried polish with a pad brush after each section and wash out the pad after every panel or two.

I like to use fresh pads and then wash them all at the end.
 
KirkH said:
Theoretically, you could use 1 pad of each color that you need. You would need to brush out the dried polish with a pad brush after each section and wash out the pad after every panel or two.

I like to use fresh pads and then wash them all at the end.
Click to expand...

Wash the pad after every couple of panels, and use them damp?
 
save yourself the headache. get like 4 of each color, clean on the fly and you'll be fine. i always say never skimp on towels or pads, IMO THE MOST important part of detailing. bad pad or towel can ruin a car!
 
The pads get gunked up doesnt matter how much you clean them in between passes.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
save yourself the headache. get like 4 of each color, clean on the fly and you'll be fine. i always say never skimp on towels or pads, IMO THE MOST important part of detailing. bad pad or towel can ruin a car!
Click to expand...

I recommend getting orange, white and black, the most commonly used pads. I don't use many red and blue pads. I do like to have green and yellow pads around.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
save yourself the headache. get like 4 of each color, clean on the fly and you'll be fine. i always say never skimp on towels or pads, IMO THE MOST important part of detailing. bad pad or towel can ruin a car!
Click to expand...


And thanks for the towel analogy as well. I have tons of MF. Makes sense.
 
I go off of one pad per panel for worst case, but as I'm going I can judge how long a pad can go before it needs swapped.

Sent from my XT1609 using Tapatalk
 
h8dirtycars said:
I just received my two GG DA's. The 6" and 3".

It seems GG tries to keep it simple, which is why I went with them, in addition to their customer service. I'm going to follow the basic rule, which is least aggressive and move up if I have to.
My basic question is, how many pads per car? I know I have to clean the pads as I go, but I've been reading that 3 pads are needed per car. If the pads are kept clean during the work, is it necessary, or is the switching pads done to save time? I would imagine unless the pad is damaged, it's ok to continue with it till the car is finished.

I'm not going to the BOSS pads unless I need to. This is my first foray with the DA's and am trying to keep it simple unless forced to up the game.

And one more question, please. On three cars that belong to my family members, I'm pretty sure I have to start with the Correcting Cream. However, with my car which is newer and only has some light swirling and scratches, I plan on using SwirlX, and if needed moving to ScratchX then the Correcting Cream if needed.
Also, I'm just going to prep the areas where the light correcting is necessary with GG Synthetic Clay, and just do those areas with the 3", as the areas are the thinner parts of the car.
The other cars are getting the whole treatments.

Thanks Usually the more the better depends on the car paint condition. moderate correction lets say on a black ford mustang in order for best correction results I would say 6 pads.Again it depends on weather the product and what your trying to achieve.
Click to expand...
 
I like to have:

Eight cutting
Eight polishing
Four finishing
Eight for cleaner wax.

Most times I go through two or three for cutting, and polishing, and one for sealant application. Three or four for cleaner waxing.

The reason for so many is insurance, or if I need to do another car right after.

I've also got a thing for the number 4...
 
dlc95 said:
I like to have:

Eight cutting
Eight polishing
Four finishing
Eight for cleaner wax.

Most times I go through two or three for cutting, and polishing, and one for sealant application. Three or four for cleaner waxing.

The reason for so many is insurance, or if I need to do another car right after.

I've also got a thing for the number 4...
Click to expand...

Which type of pad do you use for cleaner wax? Mike has an article in which he recommends LC Black or White. I'm considering getting some more pads to dedicate to AIO products.
 
Both black, and white. Usually black though.
 
As a rule of thumb...

one pad per panel when using foam pads for the compounding or correction step.

The reason why is dry pads work better than wet soggy pads. You do better work and you can work faster.


Now days, as a practice, I take pictures of all the pads I use for any project to tell the story... this write-up was used in a newsletter yesterday, in the write-up I took a few moments to stack up all the pads and take a picture.


How to use Griot's Garage to detail your car - A detail job Richard Griot would be proud of!


Cuda_Detail_042.jpg



Getting ready to compound a car, will take a picture of the pads I used.


:)
 
cleanmycorolla said:
save yourself the headache. get like 4 of each color, clean on the fly and you'll be fine. i always say never skimp on towels or pads, IMO THE MOST important part of detailing. bad pad or towel can ruin a car!
Click to expand...

BINGO!!! Use cleanmycorolla's advice. I agree with him 100% You will actually reduce your detailing time by going with this process. You will also be more effective in the detailing process too.
 
IMO you should try and use one pad per panel. Obviously cleaning after each section pass, but trying to use one or two pads to do a whole car causes a lot of stress (i.e. Heat build up) which kills pads. Also they will become saturated with product after a while not matter how often you clean on the fly. Last thing you want when buffing is to have a pad delaminate or collapse. I'd recommend at least 6 of any given pad. It will help your pads last that much longer if you don't push them too much.
 
Mike Phillips said:
As a rule of thumb...

one pad per panel when using foam pads for the compounding or correction step.

The reason why is dry pads work better than wet soggy pads. You do better work and you can work faster.


Now days, as a practice, I take pictures of all the pads I use for any project to tell the story... this write-up was used in a newsletter yesterday, in the write-up I took a few moments to stack up all the pads and take a picture.


How to use Griot's Garage to detail your car - A detail job Richard Griot would be proud of!


Cuda_Detail_042.jpg



Getting ready to compound a car, will take a picture of the pads I used.


:)
Click to expand...

Thanks! A picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes.

And thanks to all for the help. It pays to ask questions and read before getting started.
 
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