New Guy - Question About Foam Pads

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EagleGuy

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So I've spent the last two weeks reading everything I could about detailing. I never knew how much stuff was involved with all this. If I had one complaint, it would be all the abbreviations you guys use around here! Tough to keep up with all the "inside code!" I read Mike Phillips eBook and, between that and the forum, I am now "slightly educated" (scary place to be!).

First my thoughts .... When it comes to pads, I'm looking for consistency when it comes to using pads and polishes/compounds. I have the Griot's Garage 6" RO and a plate for 5.5" pads. I'm thinking that eventually I would like to get the 3" RO also but the reviews are really mixed. If I do, I would like to use the EXACT SAME type of pads so that I would be applying (or should I say removing) at the same rate as the 6" RO. I understand through my research that you do one section to find the least invasive approach to get the job done. Makes sense to come up with a plan but, if you switch to a smaller (3.5") pad - and it's not the same as the 5.5" pad, then your not applying an "apple-to-apple" approach. I hope that made sense.

I'm surprised that most foam pad providers don't supply equivalent pads in all sizes. I only found a few that were consistent with pads that met both sizes above. (I really wanted to go with the Lake County new thin pads but they are only in the 5.5" and 6.5" sizes.) I will be working on a few cars that range from new to old. (Read there swirls & oxidation on one to almost new condition on another.) I've decided on a ton of items but the pads just have me confused a bit. I know there is no "perfect" and opinions range all over the place when I do my research. I just want to make sure I have a good set of polish/compound & pads before I drop the hundreds of dollars on items in the shopping basket. Here is what I'm looking at:

POLISHES:
Optimum Compound II
Optimum Polish II
Optimum Finish

PADS:
LC Hydro-Tech Cyan Advanced Cutting Foam (5.5")
LC Hydro-Tech Tangerine Ultra Polishing Foam (5.5")
LC Hydro-Tech Crimson Finishing Foam (5.5")

(The Hydro-Tech pads are also available in 3.5" should I go that route in the future.) I know I can mix & match the above based on the outcome I will be looking for.

Finally the question .... Does this "Polish & Pad" combo work or am I missing something?

THANKS!
 
EagleGuy said:
So I've spent the last two weeks reading everything I could about detailing. I never knew how much stuff was involved with all this. If I had one complaint, it would be all the abbreviations you guys use around here! Tough to keep up with all the "inside code!" I read Mike Phillips eBook and between that and the forum I am "slightly educated" (scary place to be!).
Click to expand...

Welcome to the online world of car detailing.

I rarely use acronyms because I know they confuse new people and I'm a speed typist so it only takes me a few seconds to type out full words. As for the rest of the entire forum world... that's how it goes...




EagleGuy said:
First my thoughts .... When it comes to pads, I'm looking for consistency when it comes to using pads and polishes/compounds. I have the Griot's Garage 6" RO and a plate for 5.5" pads.
Click to expand...


The Griot's 6" DA has a lot of power and it can rotate foam pads really well, so no real need to get the ThinPro pads. These are great with the Porter Cable though.

As for type I'd go with the Lake Country 5.5" Foam Flat pads like I show here,


Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation


Lake Country

5.5" Flat Pads

In order from the most to the least aggressive

Yellow = Cutting pad (most aggressive)
Orange = Light Cutting Pad
White = Polishing Pad
Black = Finishing Pad
Blue = Waxing Pad (softest)

5_5FlatPads01.jpg




These are simple, open cell pads with a flat face and will last as long or longer than any other pad and get the job done. They are simple and sometimes simple is good.

I actually recommend these in both my first and second books for people new to paint polishing. I'd have to look up the pages but I know I recommended them.


Welcome to AutogeekOnline!~


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Welcome to the online world of car detailing.
Click to expand...

WOW - First post and the BIG GUY responds! THANKS (and great eBook by the way).

I like your suggestion - and as I said, that is what I was shooting for. The problem is they don't have the 3.5" size should I go that route in the future. If I went with your suggestion, then I would be using different 3.5" pads possibly down the line. The result would be inconsistent as the pads wouldn't be apples-to apples. Or, I would have to do two different trials on the same car - one for the 5.5" pads and the other test for the 3.5" pads.

On the other hand ... Maybe you know something I don't??? Maybe Lake County will be producing 3.5" flat pads in the future??? That would be perfect matching foam pads in a range of sizes.
 
Griot's 6" DA with 5" BP.

Griot's Fast Correct Cream
Griot's Correcting Cream
Griot's Perfecting Cream

Griot's Fast Correct MF pads
Griot's 5.5" BOSS foam pads

This system works GREAT!
 
Again ...... The BOSS pads don't come in 3.5" size.
 
Okay - I'm SOLD! Lake Country Flats Pads it will be. Thanks everyone.
 
Keep in mind that with 3" pads you need a 2 7/8" backing plate. The 3.5" backing plate is for 4" pads.
 
I liked your idea with the LC Hydrotech pads. I love that there are only three choices. They also cut and finish incredibly well. I have a whole tote full of them ready to use.

Buff and Shine are great too, but the smallest they offer is a 4"..

Rupes offers pads with 5", and 3" velcro backings. Their faces are an inch larger.
 
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