Lake Country 1 Pad Polishing System

I can understand selling something that is counter-intuitive so I would like to see LC's sale pitch on how dollars and cents wise this is a good thing. It seems clearly aimed at high volume shops but since I have no clear on their business model I cannot understand or appreciate how this sells.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Having said that, I do seem to recall MP Cobra Fan saying before he got the pads in that this was his first time using a rotary buffer, so we can't be 100% sure technique didn't play some role in the way the pads wore. Judging by his results though I don't think that was an issue.
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Not my first time, but it has been a while. I learned on a rotary back in the 93. I stopped detailing around 2004. I got back in to detailing about a year ago, but decided to go with a PC first, since so much has changed .My old trusty rotary was borrowed to a family member, whom it was stolen from. I found this out AFTER I won this giveaway. I bought the Flex so I could do this write up.

Now I am not saying my technique is perfect. It very well could be what caused the wear.

Thank you for the compliment at the end.
 
Bunky said:
I can understand selling something that is counter-intuitive so I would like to see LC's sale pitch on how dollars and cents wise this is a good thing. It seems clearly aimed at high volume shops but since I have no clear on their business model I cannot understand or appreciate how this sells.
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:iagree:

M.P. Cobra Fan said:
Not my first time, but it has been a while. I learned on a rotary back in the 93. I stopped detailing around 2004. I got back in to detailing about a year ago, but decided to go with a PC first, since so much has changed .My old trusty rotary was borrowed to a family member, whom it was stolen from. I found this out AFTER I won this giveaway. I bought the Flex so I could do this write up.

Now I am not saying my technique is perfect. It very well could be what caused the wear.

Thank you for the compliment at the end.
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Ah. I must've misinterpreted the post I read before. :props:

That just makes me even more curious to see what others experience with these pads.
 
I kind of like this system.

yes, the pad may wear faster then LC's other pads. But most expensive paint correction detailers are removing a pad before a guy like us even considers it primed (exaggerating some). I was overseeing some pictures from Detailers Domain shop, and there was a table full of traditional style 5.5" pads that were stacked about 3 foot high for each color. And this was for correcting 1 car.

The bottom line, is that a shop like that is actually losing value by not using up there full faced pads before disposing of them. So somebody like that imo, would benefit from the lower price of a pad that they likely wont fully use up on this system either.

just my opinion.
 
Well, I just got done doing another vehicle using the same pad. The wear did not seem to be as bad IMO. I adjusted my technique and used more of the surface of the pad. I am convinced now that I could easily make it through a large SUV with just one pad. This time I did what was meant to do, and threw the pads out! LOL. I don't have time to clean them tonight.

Overall impression now, I think the pads cut well, and are easy to use. Only an individual can say if it is worth it or not.
 
M.P. Cobra Fan said:
Well, I just got done doing another vehicle using the same pad. The wear did not seem to be as bad IMO. I adjusted my technique and used more of the surface of the pad. I am convinced now that I could easily make it through a large SUV with just one pad. This time I did what was meant to do, and threw the pads out! LOL. I don't have time to clean them tonight.

Overall impression now, I think the pads cut well, and are easy to use. Only an individual can say if it is worth it or not.
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Did you take any more pics of the pads before throwing them out?

Thanks for the update!
 
Bunky said:
I can understand selling something that is counter-intuitive so I would like to see LC's sale pitch on how dollars and cents wise this is a good thing. It seems clearly aimed at high volume shops but since I have no clear on their business model I cannot understand or appreciate how this sells.
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I disagree. I would think that a high volume shop would be the last place that would want to unecessarily raise their per unit cost. As a home enthusiast who might polish half a dozen cars a year or less the idea of a 3-pak of an orange, white and red pad for 15-17 dollars might be appealing.
 
OK, I dug them out of the garbage. They are not cleaned, but here are the pics. The delamination on the back of the pad did not get any larger. Now this is after two convertible Mustangs being detailed.
DSC_0135.jpg

DSC_0133.jpg

DSC_0132.jpg

DSC_0130.jpg
 
What intrigues me more than the quick-change throw away feature is the pads profile and how flexible the backing plate is. Because the foam pads themselves are much thinner they follow the profile of the flexible backing plate making the system much more conducive to surface profiles.

I like the large edge radius on these pads as the contour fits nicely with most profiles vs. the sharper design of others.

The price of the system and throw away concept is a detractant for me.

I would much rather have this flexible designed backing plate on my rotary for use with a Kompressor or flat pad and test it's concept.
 
feslope said:
I disagree. I would think that a high volume shop would be the last place that would want to unecessarily raise their per unit cost. As a home enthusiast who might polish half a dozen cars a year or less the idea of a 3-pak of an orange, white and red pad for 15-17 dollars might be appealing.
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I assume the justification is either for just convenience (what the occasional polisher would do) or for someone where time is money (the time to clean).

The market for the occasional user seems small (an opinion) so that is why I wonder about the pro economics. For example, it may be for automobile manufacturers who do not want to pay for the hassle of reusing pads.

For example, if a shop has a $30 per hour burdened rate, if it costs more than $2 or $3 to clean pads (dealing with chemicals, storage space, handling, drying time, etc) than it may make sense. That is, you just need to make it save enough money/hassle to be a viable alternative. LC is not going gut their regular pad business so I assume the pricing is targeted to complement the existing business - not undercut it.
 
Thanks so much for your work and info. I have been researching buffers / polishers and with this pad it would make things alot simpler for a novice like me.

THANKS Again
Ken
Retired Msgt / USAF
C123 / C124 / C130 Structural Mechanic
 
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very nice review!! I just want the backing plate. LC can keep their 1-step pad for them :)
 
MRKensRT said:
Thanks so much for your work and info. I have been researching buffers / polishers and with this pad it would make things alot simpler for a novice like me.

THANKS Again
Ken
Retired Msgt / USAF
C123 / C124 / C130 Structural Mechanic
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No problem MSGT!

cobraa said:
very nice review!! I just want the backing plate. LC can keep their 1-step pad for them :)
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I don't know an exact. I can measure when I get back to the house in Florida. I am in GA again. It will be a couple weeks though. Maybe Meghan or someone else can answer that.
 
I found my answer on the mike's review where he took many measure.

I finally bought the kit for 44$ just to get the nice backing plate. after my 3 free pads will be used, I will continue using my ccs 6.5 inch pad with this flexible backing plate. I'm pretty sure the result will be pretty close!
 
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