Pad Recommendations for 7424XP?

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HeavyMetal

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I'm getting a PC 7424XP in the next few days and would like your input on pads. I'll be doing 2 daily drivers - 2011 Black Lexus ES350 and 2008 Grey Flake Rav4. It's tough to tell given the winter weather, but the RAV4 appears to have some light swirls and a few scratches. The Lexus is brand new with minimal swirls and no apparent scratches or scuffs. Since these are DD's, I'm not looking to do a show car finish, just clean it up as best I can. Since I'm a noob, I'll probably be using WG Swirl (if necessary), WG PPE and WG Finish Glaze followed by Menz Powerlock and Souveran. I'm a noob so I'm gonna start real mild.

I've been bouncing back-and-forth over LC 4 and 5.5 flat pads and the Hydrotech 1.5 thick pads in the same size. I like the idea of fewer pad types. If I get the flat pads I was figuring on a couple orange, 5 or 6 white and 5 or 6 blue since I'm not gonna try heavy correction at first. If I go with the Hydrotech, I figured a couple cyan, 3 or 4 tangerine and 3 or 4 red.

So, what's your take? Flat or Hydrotech? What combos?

Thanks again for your help. :dblthumb2:
 
I've only used my Hydro-Techs once but they were great (people have complained about the longevity). I doubt you will need the cyan pad for what you described, I think the orange will be fine and the crimson was great for me with a finishing polish. I think I might have been able to do one less polishing step this way (HT orange then crimson) where if I had used traditional pads I probably would have had to do orange, then the finishing polish on white followed by black/blue/red.
 
Flat pads have a different feel to them when buffing on a curved surface such as a hood or fenders. I prefer a thicker pad that molds to the curve instead of moving the xp at several different angles. I'm sure it's a presonal preference thing but the thicker pads also give me a better feel for the surface of the vehicle.
 

I use 5.5'' LC flat white & orange pads with a 5'' LC backing plate, and 4'' LC flat orange pads with a 3 1/2'' LC backing plate.





 
Thanks Scott. That's why I was considering the 1.5" thick HT's versus the low profile. I read Mike Phillips' post on the low profile, but figured fro a noob the extra padding would be safer....
 
I'm not trying to hijack this thread but the white pad that comes with the XP, is it any good for detailing work?

If so, where does it fit in terms of cut?
 
mdb917 said:
I'm not trying to hijack this thread but the white pad that comes with the XP, is it any good for detailing work?

If so, where does it fit in terms of cut?
Click to expand...

MDB,

Read in several threads that it's pretty useless and most guys seem to toss it. HTH.
 

The white pad that comes with the PC can be used with a bonnet.





 
seems like you are going to need 4" pads to do pillars and other narrow places
 
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