Question about pad/backing plate compatibility

[pzero7]

Hey Mike/Autogeek/Everyone,

I just want to know if the 5 inch backing plate that i ordered from AG will work with the 6.5 inch lake country pads that i also ordered from AG. it says on the description that the 5 inch works with 5.5 to 6.5 inch pads. i asked around and got the answer that i should have ordered the 5.5 inch pads instead because the 6.5 inch pads would be a little more difficult to use on a 5 inch backing plate especially for someone who has no experience operating a buffer. i bought the pc7424. i tried to edit me order but was told that the order has already been processed, packed and ready to be shipped. please help.

Thank you.

Andy

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

It will work, but the general consensus is that the PC has a little difficulty keeping the larger 6.5" pads spinning under pressure. Too bad that "ready to be shipped" was past the point of no return, I would have thought that you would be taken care of.

 

[pzero7]

I see. well the pads that i bought are the grey ones for applying wax, sealants and such so not much pressure to no pressure is required for this job from all the videos i have been watching on AG. i guess the 6.5 inch will work then. i do have a smaller orange pad that came with the swirl remover that i ordered. that one should work perfectly with the 5 inch backing plate. Thank you very much for your quick feedback

 

[BobbyG]

Hey Mike/Autogeek/Everyone,

I just want to know if the 5 inch backing plate that i ordered from AG will work with the 6.5 inch lake country pads that i also ordered from AG. it says on the description that the 5 inch works with 5.5 to 6.5 inch pads. i asked around and got the answer that i should have ordered the 5.5 inch pads instead because the 6.5 inch pads would be a little more difficult to use on a 5 inch backing plate especially for someone who has no experience operating a buffer. i bought the pc7424. i tried to edit me order but was told that the order has already been processed, packed and ready to be shipped. please help.

Thank you.

Andy

Hi Andy,

2 posts huh, then welcome to autogeek!

You're correct, a 5 inch backing plate will work well on both 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 diameter pads.

6 1/2 inch pads will work with the Porter Cable 7424 and have been used successfully by many here. I still use them on my 7424 but have found that doing paint correction with them is somewhat less efficient and takes longer that if I used a 5 1/2 inch flat pad.

5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pad is only an inch but the surface area increases by 30% which is allot when talking about the motor and polishing efficiency.

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

I see. well the pads that i bought are the grey ones for applying wax, sealants and such so not much pressure to no pressure is required for this job from all the videos i have been watching on AG. i guess the 6.5 inch will work then. I do have a smaller orange pad that came with the swirl remover that i ordered. that one should work perfectly with the 5 inch backing plate. Thank you very much for your quick feedback

Yup, perfect! When you order more pads for cutting/polishing, get 5.5" rops:

 

[pzero7]

Thanks Bobby! make it 3 now. I feel better about my order now. I was worried that I have to return it and reorder the 5.5s. I guess for what i plan to do with the gray ones, it should work fine. Thanks for your feedback!

Andy

Hi Andy,

2 posts huh, then welcome to autogeek!

You're correct, a 5 inch backing plate will work well on both 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 diameter pads.

6 1/2 inch pads will work with the Porter Cable 7424 and have been used successfully by many here. I still use them on my 7424 but have found that doing paint correction with them is somewhat less efficient and takes longer that if I used a 5 1/2 inch flat pad.

5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pad is only an inch but the surface area increases by 30% which is allot when talking about the motor and polishing efficiency.

 

[pzero7]

Will do. Thank you!

Hi Andy,

2 posts huh, then welcome to autogeek!

You're correct, a 5 inch backing plate will work well on both 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 diameter pads.

6 1/2 inch pads will work with the Porter Cable 7424 and have been used successfully by many here. I still use them on my 7424 but have found that doing paint correction with them is somewhat less efficient and takes longer that if I used a 5 1/2 inch flat pad.

5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pad is only an inch but the surface area increases by 30% which is allot when talking about the motor and polishing efficiency.

Yup, perfect! When you order more pads for cutting/polishing, get 5.5" rops:

 

[arenared]

Add another vote here. I have the older PC 7424, and it is perfectly fine with bigger pads for waxes, sealants, and probably most light stuff like glazes, swirl removers, all-in-ones, etc. For the heavier compounds, then you would need more horsepower, a smaller pad, or both.

 

[TornadoRed]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...tes-6-5-pads-pictures-show-safety-margin.html

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...tes-6-5-pads-pictures-show-safety-margin.html

Thanks for digging up the above article... I was reading through this and thought the question had come up and I had taken pictures to show the fitment...

Here's a quick picture from the above article...

Below are the new Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads with backing plates affixed to show the fitting comparison.


The backing plate on the Cyan Cutting Pad is the The Edge DA-500 Backing Plate, which measures 4 7/8" in diameter.

The backing plate on the Tangerine Polishing Pad is the 3M Hook-It 6" DA Backing Plate and it measures 5 7/8" in diameter.

This is to give you an idea as to how much safety margin of foam there is surrounding the 5" and 6" backing plates.

Also just to note, from a quick measuring of all the DA backing plates we care,

5" backing plate = 4 7/8" Diameter
6" backing plate - 5 7/8" Diameter


:xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I see. well the pads that i bought are the grey ones for applying wax, sealants and such so not much pressure to no pressure is required for this job from all the videos i have been watching on AG. i guess the 6.5 inch will work then.

Correct, the 6.5" will work fine for applying any finishing product...

The new PC 7424XP and the Griot's Garage 6" ROP will rotate 6.5" pads and do correction work but it becomes more important to use correct technique.

With smaller pads, since there's less surface area and curved panels have less leverage over the tool, you can get away with using less than perfect technique.

 

[mg6045]

interesting that this thread popped up. As I am about to purchase another 5" backing plate from AG with my current order.

I just bought a Griots ROP to replace my PC.

The backing plate I am replacing is the Edge 5" with the older style orange and white sticker on it.

This is the first time i'm seeing the 3m backing plate and its price. I guess I have been out of the loop for a bit.

If you guys were in the need for a new 5" backing plate for a PC/Griots, which one would you consider buying ?

or better yet, are there any performance differences or pro's and con's when comparing the 3 backing plates ? (LC, Edge, 3M) looks like the new edge and LC plates are basically the same design.

 

[pzero7]

Mike,

Thank you so much for your feedback on this. Pretty awesome to read a response from the person I have been watching in all the videos as i educate myself on everything about detailing. Can't wait till the order arrives and a few other things i need to shop for and the weather to warm up a little to start this detailling adventure. Great to hear that what i ordered should work fine. Looking forward to show you the results of all the videos i have learned from.

Andy

Correct, the 6.5" will work fine for applying any finishing product...

The new PC 7424XP and the Griot's Garage 6" ROP will rotate 6.5" pads and do correction work but it becomes more important to use correct technique.

With smaller pads, since there's less surface area and curved panels have less leverage over the tool, you can get away with using less than perfect technique.

 

[slickooz]

Nice I was wondering the same thing. I'm using 5 inch back plates with 5.5 inch pads. I have a few kompresser a friend gave me, black and red. I believe they are for sealant/wax. I didn't want to change to 6 inch backing plate, would seem too much work. :buffing: