Just purchased a Nanoskin foam pad and...

[FreshRides]

What's the best product to use with it? I like using ONR in the dilution it calls for, using a clay bar. I just feel like that's not going to have enough lubricity to compensate for that faster rotating pad. But am I wrong?

Also, would the pad be best to use on a short throw DA or a long throw DA? I've just always used traditional clay bars and clay mits. So I don't want to screw up anyone's paint job my first time using this.

Thanks guys!

-Cody

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

What's the best product to use with it? I like using ONR in the dilution it calls for, using a clay bar. I just feel like that's not going to have enough lubricity to compensate for that faster rotating pad. But am I wrong?

Couple of comments...

1: Add a little extra ONR - don't do that exact measurement thing but add a little extra... it isn't going to hurt anything.

2: Spray down a LOT of product don't just mist a little on. There's nothing wrong with lots of lubricant on the surface when machine decontaminating paint except the splatter mess it creates but you have to wipe the car down anyways so no big deal.

3: Don't run the machine full out. All you need is pad rotation not grinding speed.

Also, would the pad be best to use on a short throw DA or a long throw DA?

The Nanoskin Autoscrub Pads can be used on dang near any orbital polisher except the Duetto as the lowest OPM setting is too high (in my opinion and experience). With the long orbit stroke tools like RUPES and Griot's BOSS tools you'll want to use these tools on the 1 speed setting or the lowest speed setting that maintains pad rotation.

With the Porter Cable you'll be on the 5 setting or whatever it takes to maintain pad rotation.

With the Griot's Garage 6" DA probably around the 2 or 3 setting.

What you DON'T want is the pad to just vibrate and jiggle against the paint. You need pad rotation and that comes down to,

• Lots of lube.
• The right speed setting.
• Holding the pad flat to the surface.

For what it's worth, in my How to use the FLEX 3401 How-To Book I wrote that I think the ultimate way to decontaminate paint to get it to feel like a chalkboard is to use the Nanoskin Medium Autoscrub pad on the FLEX 3401.

Why?

Because the gear-driven feature forces the pad to rotate no matter what and absolutely OBLITERATES everything off the surface. The only thing that works better is machine sanding. So if you're going for the SUPER HIGH GLOSS look like this car that I did the FLEX/Nanoskin pad to...

Then that's how you do it.


But any machine applied anything does a better job than human hand.

I've just always used traditional clay bars and clay mits. So I don't want to screw up anyone's paint job my first time using this.

Thanks guys!

-Cody

Great questions Cody!

 

[FreshRides]

Couple of comments...

1: Add a little extra ONR - don't do that exact measurement thing but add a little extra... it isn't going to hurt anything.

2: Spray down a LOT of product don't just mist a little on. There's nothing wrong with lots of lubricant on the surface when machine decontaminating paint except the splatter mess it creates but you have to wipe the car down anyways so no big deal.

3: Don't run the machine full out. All you need is pad rotation not grinding speed.




The Nanoskin Autoscrub Pads can be used on dang near any orbital polisher except the Duetto as the lowest OPM setting is too high (in my opinion and experience). With the long orbit stroke tools like RUPES and Griot's BOSS tools you'll want to use these tools on the 1 speed setting or the lowest speed setting that maintains pad rotation.

With the Porter Cable you'll be on the 5 setting or whatever it takes to maintain pad rotation.

With the Griot's Garage 6" DA probably around the 2 or 3 setting.

What you DON'T want is the pad to just vibrate and jiggle against the paint. You need pad rotation and that comes down to,

• Lots of lube.
• The right speed setting.
• Holding the pad flat to the surface.

For what it's worth, in my How to use the FLEX 3401 How-To Book I wrote that I think the ultimate way to decontaminate paint to get it to feel like a chalkboard is to use the Nanoskin Medium Autoscrub pad on the FLEX 3401.

Why?

Because the gear-driven feature forces the pad to rotate no matter what and absolutely OBLITERATES everything off the surface. The only thing that works better is machine sanding. So if you're going for the SUPER HIGH GLOSS look like this car that I did the FLEX/Nanoskin pad to...

Then that's how you do it.


But any machine applied anything does a better job than human hand.







Great questions Cody!

Awesome, thanks Mike! The good news is I just got my 3401 in the mail yesterday, so I'll have to give that a shot. I have the Griots 6", the Torq 10FX, and the 3401. So I kind of have some that I can play with too and see what works best for my situation.

Thanks again, I appreciate the information

-Cody

 

[ducksfan]

Mike,
What speed do you run the 3401 at ?