Need Some Help Picking My First DA Pads

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damonb10

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Hey all,

I'm planning to purchase the Griot's Garage 6" DA. I intend to also purchase a 5" backing plate and associated foam pads (and possibly a 4" plate and pads).

I've done a lot of lurking, reading, and watching and have learned a lot. I'm at the point of picking pads. I believe I've narrowed it down to the following choices:

1. Meguairs DA Foam Discs (12 qty for $110)
2. Griot's Boss Foam (12 qty for $120)
3. Lake Country Flat Foam pads (12 qty for $65)
4. Lake Country ThinPro Foam pads (12 qty for $90)

My use for the DA and pads is for caring for our own vehicles, both of which are 2 years or less old and well maintained (well my wife's less so than mine). My plan is to buy 2-3 correcting level pads, 6-8 of the polishing level pads, and 2-3 finishing level pads. This is based on examining the paint and ascertaining that heavy correction isn't required.

I currently own Meguiars Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. However, I've been reading and investigating quite a bit into the many other products available, such as some AIO's and detailer/pro level products. For now, I thought I could stick with the Megs Ultimate products.

Back to the pads, the prices of the 4 options I listed above are quite a bit different! Lake Country Flat pads (as recommended for beginners by Mike) are by far the cheapest, followed by the LC ThinPro's with the Megs and Griot's being by far the most. However, these costs are not going to put me on the street, but am just trying to be smart with my decision. I am the type of person that likes to educate myself on choices and make the smart long-term decision.

With that said, can anyone offer some feedback and recommendations on what would be the best choice for me as I step into the world of polishing and using a DA?

Thanks!
Damon
 
Having used the second, third and fourth choices on a GG6, I'd definitely recommend #4. ThinPro pads are a great match. #2 is also a good choice, but I'd still go with ThinPros. It doesn't hurt that they're cheaper, too.
 
Anything Lake Country should do you fine! In your case get the Lake Country Thinpros.
 
I use a PC and really prefer using the 4" plate and the smaller pads vs 5" plate and 6" pads. You get better correction with the smaller set up AND it's a little more manageble in the tighter areas around pillars, bumpers etc...I have both backing plates and rarely use the larger setup except for laying down a wax/sealant.
 
Check out the Buff n shine I’m just a hobbiest, I have gotten great results with the 5.5 inch pads on either my pc and flex. Quality seems to be pretty good this will be my second season with my original purchased pads. Just be sure to buy some pad cleaner.
 
Thanks for the helpful responses so far. It seems that the Lake Country pads are the more recommended. Does it matter that I'm a beginner if I go with the ThinPros versus the regular Flat pads?

It seems that Mike and maybe some others imply that beginners should stay away from the thin pads due to potential for making a mistake that can cause damage. Maybe that isn't a big deal. I'm pretty careful with things like this, but curious if that is a valid consideration.
 
The standard LC flats are super durable and almost fool proof.
 
Yep, the regular LC Flat Pads are good at a good price.

I do like the way they “feel” while polishing verses thinner stiffer pads and I would assume they are slightly safer.

Maybe do a mix. I’d go with white and orange LC flats and then BOSS Microfiber for cutting if needed if you have harder paint.
 
I've liked all the LC pads I've tried other than the orange flat 5.5 inch cutting pads. They weren't dense enough IMO. I'm a big fan of Buff and Shine 5.5 inch flat orange cutting pad and 5.5 inch white heavy polishing pad. If you want to invest in longer lasting pads, the buff and shine uro-tec maroon and yellow pads will outlast nearly any other foam pad on the market IME.
 
I went with the Griot's 6" DA in late fall, and also picked up the 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads. I went with a combination of LC flats and LC Thin Pros...I have yet to order any 6.5" pads, not sure that I will. Many people on here were high on the Thin Pros. I also want to go with a smaller backing plate and pads but think I will go straight to the 3inch. There are posts in the forum that give high marks to using the 3 inch plate and pads on the GG6. There is a thread with great info on the 3" plate... do a search for Griot's Garage Boss 3" Orbital Backing Plate.
 
Hey all, I'm finalizing this choice. I'm still leaning toward the LC Flat Pads. However, I've been looking into the CCS pads as well. They are a bit more expensive, but wondering if they are better for a beginner like me over the LC Flat pads.
 
Some people like the CCS pads but I would never use them. I don't like the idea of the dimples collecting product and distributing it unevenly. I'd want completely even pad surfaces for the most consistent results.
 
damonb10 said:
Hey all, I'm finalizing this choice. I'm still leaning toward the LC Flat Pads. However, I've been looking into the CCS pads as well. They are a bit more expensive, but wondering if they are better for a beginner like me over the LC Flat pads.
Click to expand...

The CCS spin way better, operate cooler, and are available in pink and Green foams. These foams will make operation even more comfortable, and deliver (in my experience) better performance respective to task.

Regardless of flat or CCS, I find the orange and white foams unpleasant to use compared to other foams on the market. I do use them, but not very often. They take much more pressure to get their results, and the flat pads can seem almost grabby on the orange and white foams. Like I said, the CCS will mitigate tgese negatives, but the Pink cutting, and Green polishing would be much more comfortable, and effective.

While I love LC pads, to augment my first recommendation, I'd switch to the Meguiar's offering.
 
For cutting I suggest you go with microfiber. I have not used the LC Thin Pro microfibers yet, but they they perform anywhere close to the Meguiar's Microfiber cutting pads, they will be amazing. I use mine on a Rupes 21 mm, but even so, on a GG 6" they should perform very well. For polishing thin pro foam polishing pads would be best. Again I have not used the thin pros, but I know they cut better than normal pads, and the normal pro polishing pads from LC are very good. For finishing, I don't think you will see any difference no matter what you choose. Just make sure it's foam not Microfiber and you should be fine since those pads are simply spreading products around, they have no influence on anything really.
 
That's odd as I love the lake country flat orange pads. Maybe it's just me? But I find that they're the perfect one step pads.
 
damonb10 said:
Hey all,

I'm planning to purchase the Griot's Garage 6" DA. I intend to also purchase a 5" backing plate and associated foam pads (and possibly a 4" plate and pads).

I've done a lot of lurking, reading, and watching and have learned a lot. I'm at the point of picking pads.

Thanks!
Damon
Click to expand...



Hi Damon,

Just curious.... did you see this article?


Here's what you need to get into machine polishing - Recommendations for a beginner by Mike Phillips


For anyone reading this into the future.... the above article I wrote shares the Griot's 6" DA Polisher AND all the backing plate and pad options.

It also has detailed information on microfiber versus foam pads options in case you're new to machine polishing. Probably one of the top 10 articles I wrote last year.

It also has links to everything so you don't have to do any searching on the massive AG store site.


FWIW :)




damonb10 said:
Hey all, I'm finalizing this choice. I'm still leaning toward the LC Flat Pads. However, I've been looking into the CCS pads as well.

They are a bit more expensive, but wondering if they are better for a beginner like me over the LC Flat pads.
Click to expand...

I'm a flat pad guy no matter what the brand, if for no other reason then for how much faster they are to clean on the fly with a nylon brush. Simply scrape the brush over the face of the pad and you're done. With any type of design, now you have to clean out the design.


:)
 
Thanks for the reply Mike. Yes, I did read that article and it was a big help in getting me to this point of knowing what DA to buy and how many pads I would need and of what type.

I was just trying to narrow down the pad options and I thought I read in the article or maybe a different one you wrote that a beginner may be best to stay away from the very thin pads or microfibre pads to start with. That is how I arrived at the list for consideration and have appreciated the helpful feedback offered from the members.
 
damonb10 said:
Thanks for the reply Mike. Yes, I did read that article and it was a big help in getting me to this point of knowing what DA to buy and how many pads I would need and of what type.

I was just trying to narrow down the pad options and I thought I read in the article or maybe a different one you wrote that a beginner may be best to stay away from the very thin pads or microfibre pads to start with. That is how I arrived at the list for consideration and have appreciated the helpful feedback offered from the members.
Click to expand...


I'm a huge fan of the simple LC flat pads, I'm also a fan of the Griot's BOSS foam pads. The primary difference between the Griot's BOSS thin foam pads is they have a hole in the center. The feature about this is all the heat is generated at the spindle and then works its way outward. By having a hole in the center of the pad the heat is transferred to the air, not the foam. I think it helps in pad longevity.


:)
 
damonb10 said:
Thanks for the reply Mike. Yes, I did read that article and it was a big help in getting me to this point of knowing what DA to buy and how many pads I would need and of what type.

I was just trying to narrow down the pad options and I thought I read in the article or maybe a different one you wrote that a beginner may be best to stay away from the very thin pads or microfibre pads to start with. That is how I arrived at the list for consideration and have appreciated the helpful feedback offered from the members.
Click to expand...

Also as a beginner, you might want to avoid Lake Country Hydrotech pads, but eventually give them a shot. They are my favorite traditional d/a pads. They have incredible range of cut/finish per pad.

Buff and Shine Uro-Cell pads are similar, but they feature a center hole. This is essential for tools that tend to generate a lot of heat at the spindle or center bolt. I use the Hydrotech on a Porter Cable, which is a lot weaker, and generates a lot less heat than a Griots GG6, and even the Flex 3401, which the Hydrotech/Uro-Cell which also play nice with that type of foam.
 
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