Optimum MF Pads

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us6krums

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Got to say, not impressed. Of course it could be my technique, but my brand new pads (2 cutting) didn't last through 1 car. They haven't torn apart or anything, but they have definitely lost some foam cushion in the middle, probably can't use them anymore. Just received them Monday!

I was using Optimum compound II to remove some deep acid rain watermarks. Most came out, but the hood is still a mess, but it it also has a lot of little paint chips from rocks (7 yr old car), but at least it has a shine and some protection now.

I have a PCXP and mainly used setting 6 for the compound. Is this too high? 5 didn't seem to be doing anything. If I pressed down, it seemed to crate heat even faster. I switched the pads each section and cleaned them with compressed air. The finishing pads I used on 5 with the Optimum polish. They seem to be OK. At the end of the day, I used a pressure washer to clean the pads thoroughly. It took me 2 days to do my car.

Any advice on this? Different pads?

Also, I found I really don't like Optimum Compund II as it dries out and dusts everywhere. The Hyper Compund was better, but it doesn't "spray" out of the bottle, but squirts, often getting too much product on the pad. Suggestions for this?

I like the polish and the finishing pads did fine.

I also like C845 as it seems to have put a good shine on the car and beads well.

Last question, when you do get dusting on different parts of the car that have already been waxed, what is the last step to do to clean the car of all of this. I covered the car somewhat, but I have dusting particles in the windows and on other parts of the car. Do you usually rinse it? Quick foam wash? How long should the wax sit before washing the car?
 
I use the OPT pads very often on both a PCXP and a rotary polisher. I must say they are super durable. I have probably used some of the pads 15 or more times and they still work flawlessly. I can't comment on the compound II since I haven't used it. The hyper compound I use often and while the sprayer may be a little different to use, it works good. You have to squeeze the trigger fully and use a quick forcefull action to get it to spray properly.

As far as dusting and premature wear, I would tend to believe you are using a bit too much polish. Try cutting down on the amount used. Using too much product will indeed cause dusting and it will over saturate the pad. Over saturation will cause steam and that will reduce the performance of the pad and can cause the adhesive to let loose(sounds like this is happening to you from your description above). Another thing may be your backing plate.... Optimum suggest using their backing plate but I personally use an Edge BP on my PC and the OPT BP for rotary work.

Also..... Changing you pad often will help. I usually go thru 5 or so compounding pads per vehicle. They wash easily in the washer so cleaning them is no big deal. Changing often will keep the pads from getting saturated with product and causing the harmfull steam.
 
us6krums said:
Got to say, not impressed. Of course it could be my technique, but my brand new pads (2 cutting) didn't last through 1 car. They haven't torn apart or anything, but they have definitely lost some foam cushion in the middle, probably can't use them anymore. Just received them Monday!
Click to expand...
What do you mean by 'loss'?
I have noticed, and have seen one other member post that they seem to feel soft after warming up...but no actual loss of material.


Dr Oldz said:
I use the OPT pads very often on both a PCXP and a rotary polisher. I must say they are super durable. I have probably used some of the pads 15 or more times and they still work flawlessly. I can't comment on the compound II since I haven't used it. The hyper compound I use often and while the sprayer may be a little different to use, it works good. You have to squeeze the trigger fully and use a quick forcefull action to get it to spray properly.

As far as dusting and premature wear, I would tend to believe you are using a bit too much polish. Try cutting down on the amount used. Using too much product will indeed cause dusting and it will over saturate the pad. Over saturation will cause steam and that will reduce the performance of the pad and can cause the adhesive to let loose(sounds like this is happening to you from your description above). Another thing may be your backing plate.... Optimum suggest using their backing plate but I personally use an Edge BP on my PC and the OPT BP for rotary work.

Also..... Changing you pad often will help. I usually go thru 5 or so compounding pads per vehicle. They wash easily in the washer so cleaning them is no big deal. Changing often will keep the pads from getting saturated with product and causing the harmfull steam.
Click to expand...

Sage advice.
 
I think my buddy Jim is spot on. IME, Optimum Compound is the easiest one I own. Sounds like too much of a good thing! I think speed 6 is too high IME.
 
4800 opm's is where the sweet spot is at. Or speed 4 on the xp.
 
Speed 4? Wow, I guess I was too high. Thanks for the inputs. By loss I mean it feels thin in the middle while the outer edges are fuller. I'll wash em tonight and see how they do. 4 with the Hyper Compound as well? What about Optimum Polish? I know you want the pad to keep spinning, but should it just be spinning or a lot of RPMs to have the pad work better. I am confused on that. Thanks
 
Maybe too much polish and too high speed created too much heat? I have Compound II, but have yet to have a need to use it. I've used Polish II and Finish Polish without any dust or issues. I'd have to agree that maxing the machine out at 6 is too high for constant use. I never go above speed 5 and I'm using an original 7424.

Try slower arm speed. If you are polishing half a hood that is about 18" long, count : one one thousand, two one thousand, etc... Until you reach 18. Then you can see how slow an inch a second is. It's really slow.
 
I will confirm what others have said. Our label states not to exceed 5000 OPM so speed 6 is causing the heat that is drying out the compound prematurely. Also, with da machines, the product migrates to the center of the pad from the motion of the machine. The center is getting softer from the heat of the shaft running at that speed and the migration/saturation at the center.

OcII has a great working time and very little dusting so the sling may be spent product and removed paint flying out of the pad from overuse before cleaning. Microfiber removes more material than foam so like others said, you should blow them out with compressed air or change to a fresh pad after a panel.

Our backing plate reduces heat transfer at the shaft...but slowing the speed will help a lot and when you add fresh product, add it at the outer edges knowing that the da's motion pulls it to the center.
 
Chris@Optimum said:
The center is getting softer from the heat of the shaft running at that speed and the migration/saturation at the center.
Click to expand...

This was not an issue for me, but was noticed.
Also noticed that when cleaned and dried, returned to original condition. Great product. :props:
Thanks for the definitive answer.

Chris@Optimum said:
Our backing plate reduces heat transfer at the shaft...
Click to expand...

Waiting for new products SEMA release - then 1 large order.

True Optimum Fanactic.


 
Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.
 
SSizzlin' said:
Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.
Click to expand...

With the face of the pad primed, cleaning or changing the pad as needed, and not using a big pad to cut (on the PC) it should do fine. Mark the backing plate for reference and straighten up or lighten up if it stops moving. If it needs more correcting than that gives either work on technique or buy a forced rotation machine.

Most times I see these pads stop rotating is when there's too much product and all the fibers are matted down. Or they have removed a lot of paint and need to be blown out or brushed or both.

Most people that have questions for me about any given product are looking for definitive answers. For example, they would like to hear: use x polisher with x pad for x minutes on x speed and no matter your skill level or paint system, you wil have perfect paint. That never happens because of variables like aggressiveness of product/pad, hardness of paint system, consistency of appropriate pressure, humidity, heat, machine, skill, etc. Combinations of variables will range in hundreds of results just changing a couple of variables.

I said all that to make the point that it just takes awhile to learn "how" to use a product...but more importantly it takes time to be able to recognize what is actually happening and adjust your technique accordingly. That is why some people can produce stellar results with OTC products and discount polishers and also why the most anal do it yourselfer can sometimes have all the best products and equipment money can buy and not get good results. It just takes time behind the wheel with each new thing you try. Microfiber pads work differently than foam so you have to learn them.

Have confidence it yourself and the product. Know that we already spent the time, money, and effort making sure hey work before we release them to the public. And thankfully there is a great place like AG where u can find others having good results and ask for help.
 
For the record, I'm not referring to just OPT MF pads and the PCXP. I'm talking about any pad on speed 4 with the PCXP. IME, on speed 4, the tool is flat out weak! There's noticeably more power on speed 5 and 6, though.
 
SSizzlin' said:
Good luck keeping the pad rotating with a decent amount of pressure on speed 4 with the PCXP.
Click to expand...

I agree with SSizzlin' on this point.
Those that turn speed 4 on the PC - kudos to you for your success.
Just doesn't happen for me.
Speed 5, and changing out pads frequently works in my favor.

Chris@Optimum said:
...Combinations of variables will range in hundreds of results just changing a couple of variables.

...I said all that to make the point that it just takes awhile to learn "how" to use a product...but more importantly it takes time to be able to recognize what is actually happening and adjust your technique accordingly.

...Microfiber pads work differently than foam so you have to learn them.

...Have confidence it yourself and the product. Know that we already spent the time, money, and effort making sure hey work before we release them to the public.
Click to expand...

My experience with mf pads has truly been an educational process, and I'm on cloud 9.
I have learned much and appreciate not only the process, but the results.
I pretty much know which machine (PC or Makita), and product, or combination of product to reach for to begin the test spot on nearly every vehicle I touch with mf.
 
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I would have to agree on speed 4 on the PCXP. But great info and I will try all that on my next go around. I did have a lot of compounding to do, deep water marks. Most are still there as I didn't want to go too far. Thanks Chris for the update and I will try those settings. I have been doing slow arm speed and various levels of pressure. Sped it up in order ro keep pad turning. It may e too mch product as it was matted down on pad
 
After you polish a section, it's normal for polish to be matted on the pad. The optimum sprays don't do that as much, but it's normal with traditional polishes.
 
swanicyouth said:
Maybe too much polish and too high speed created too much heat? I have Compound II, but have yet to have a need to use it. I've used Polish II and Finish Polish without any dust or issues. I'd have to agree that maxing the machine out at 6 is too high for constant use. I never go above speed 5 and I'm using an original 7424.

Try slower arm speed. If you are polishing half a hood that is about 18" long, count : one one thousand, two one thousand, etc... Until you reach 18. Then you can see how slow an inch a second is. It's really slow.
Click to expand...

Speed 5 on the orginal PC is around 4800 opm. So you would do setting 5 for cutting and 4 for waxing etc. On the XP it's 4 for cutting and 3 for waxing. :props:

us6krums said:
I would have to agree on speed 4 on the PCXP. But great info and I will try all that on my next go around. I did have a lot of compounding to do, deep water marks. Most are still there as I didn't want to go too far. Thanks Chris for the update and I will try those settings. I have been doing slow arm speed and various levels of pressure. Sped it up in order ro keep pad turning. It may e too mch product as it was matted down on pad
Click to expand...

Let the machine and product do the work. If anything try 4.5 and work through it. Less is more sometimes and I have no problems with mine. Technique folks. :buffing:
 
What speed should I be using with the optimum mf pads for a flex 3401? I have 2 sets of each type of pad but haven't used them yet. I'd like to try it out next month when I give my car the last real wash, clay, polish, sealant, and wax before winter.
 
I destroyed two Optimum mf pads (first use) just on the hood of my car. I used a Griot's and speed 5 and switched pads per section. I had separation on one pad and the other pad on the back showed evidence of light melting and part of it was black. I was using D300. I was very disappointed but apparently the machine should of been on speed 4 (which on a Meg's isn't enough and on a Griot's does not seem to be enough).
 
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