i went harbor freight and bought a chicago electric dual action random orbital variable speed polisher for the time being till i can afford a better one. one thing i can't seem to find online or anywhere is the recommended speed setting for compounding, polishing, waxing, paint sealent, buffing ect...... it has 6 speeds 1,2,3,4,5,6 it says 2000-6400 OPM i have both foam and micro-fiber pads thank you for any info you can help me with i really appreciate it thank you
recommended speed settings on random orbital polisher
- Thread starter chris918
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Eldorado2k
Well-known member
- Nov 9, 2015
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4.5 for everything you do [minus applying sealant, I do that by hand]
What size pads did you get? 5" or 6"?
What size pads did you get? 5" or 6"?
Eldorado2k
Well-known member
- Nov 9, 2015
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Mmm... You didn't see any talk from people suggesting it's much better to buy a 5" backing plate + 5" pads? That's pretty much the #1 thing advised when it comes to having just picked up that polisher.
The next thing everyone [including myself] recommends is not using that particular backing plate that it came with paired with the pads sold at HF. There's critical issues with that setup. Just letting you know in case that's what you're working with. [I didn't re read your OP]
[And not that I don't what to help, but there's alot of info that can be found here and across the rest of the internet about the basic setup that really works with that polisher. It's actually pretty easy, but sorry to say that 6" pads are not really ideal]
BTW, I've owned that polisher for about 3yrs. so I'm not just regurgitating info to you... It's a solid piece.
Eldorado2k
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- Nov 9, 2015
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.
- Thread starter
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i am gonna be getting a NEW backing plate and pads. the only reason i have 6 inch is cause thats what it cam with and they only had 6 and 10 inch pads at the store but I'm gonna be ordering online new pads and backing plate thats why i asked any recomindationd on a brand pads i am most likely gonna be getting 5 inch
- Thread starter
- #8
I'm new to detailing so any info/tips you can give me would be very much appreciated. the polisher was onside i got it for $29 i am gonna get another one probably rules lhr15 and keep the HF for a back up but for the time being i have to work with the HF one and I'm gonna get new backing plate and pads
AZpolisher15
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- Nov 9, 2015
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A nice set-up for someone new to machine polishing-- Lake Country 5" backing plate and 5.5" Lake Country Flat Pads.
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate
Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Foam Pads, buffing pads, Lake Country curved edge pads, polishing pads
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate
Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Foam Pads, buffing pads, Lake Country curved edge pads, polishing pads
ski2
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- Dec 2, 2011
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Here is a list of articles and links by Mike Phillips that will help you out: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html
As others have said get a quality 5" backing plate and quality 5.5" pads ASAP--there have been many reports of the HF 6" BP having a severe wobble and the pads shredding exposing the backing plate to the paint.
You might want to take a look at the thin pads offered by Lake Country and Megs as they will improve the performance of your polisher.
As others have said get a quality 5" backing plate and quality 5.5" pads ASAP--there have been many reports of the HF 6" BP having a severe wobble and the pads shredding exposing the backing plate to the paint.
You might want to take a look at the thin pads offered by Lake Country and Megs as they will improve the performance of your polisher.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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Just to chime in...
As for what speed to use, normally for compounding and polishing you're going to be on the 5-6 speed setting.
Here's the deal and the BIG PICTURE
The pad MUST ROTATE in order to do work.
Work is defined as removing swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation.
Here's the deal, you remove defects by removing a portion of the surface to LEVEL the surface.
Make sense?
So you need the pad rotating. The original 8mm free spinning orbital polisher is the Porter Cable 7424XP. All others that look or work like this tool are copies. This would include the HF polisher.
While they all work the same, because the electronics and quality of electronics plus the quality of the moving parts are all very different the best way to "know" what speed setting to use is to,
A: Understand the pad must rotate to do work.
B: Place a mark on the back of the backing plate to make it easy for your human eyes to "monitor" pad rotation. If the pad is not rotating turn the speed up. If you have turned the speed up all the way and the pad is not rotating then it's something else.
If the above makes sense then click the link below and look at the pictures and watch the short video.
Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation
There's also MORE INFORMATION in the above article with links to things like
5" backing plate
5.5" pads
Compression washer
Plus links to even MORE information.
So do some reading. My new favorite saying is this,
Buffing out a car starts with the brain, not the buffer -Mike Phillips
As for what speed to use, normally for compounding and polishing you're going to be on the 5-6 speed setting.
Here's the deal and the BIG PICTURE
The pad MUST ROTATE in order to do work.
Work is defined as removing swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation.
Here's the deal, you remove defects by removing a portion of the surface to LEVEL the surface.
Make sense?
So you need the pad rotating. The original 8mm free spinning orbital polisher is the Porter Cable 7424XP. All others that look or work like this tool are copies. This would include the HF polisher.
While they all work the same, because the electronics and quality of electronics plus the quality of the moving parts are all very different the best way to "know" what speed setting to use is to,
A: Understand the pad must rotate to do work.
B: Place a mark on the back of the backing plate to make it easy for your human eyes to "monitor" pad rotation. If the pad is not rotating turn the speed up. If you have turned the speed up all the way and the pad is not rotating then it's something else.
If the above makes sense then click the link below and look at the pictures and watch the short video.
Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation
There's also MORE INFORMATION in the above article with links to things like
5" backing plate
5.5" pads
Compression washer
Plus links to even MORE information.
So do some reading. My new favorite saying is this,
Buffing out a car starts with the brain, not the buffer -Mike Phillips
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
If you have not read this yet... read it.
Read it BEFORE using the polisher for the first time it will prevent you from making all the newbie mistakes....
DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide
And remember thin is in.... I coined that term back in 2010 and it's still accurate today. That is thinner pads rotate better than large thick pads. So keep that in mind when trying to work fast and trying to work efficient and choosing your pads and this also would mean choosing your backing plates.
Thin is in...
Here's some thin pad options...
5.5" SUPER THIN FOAM PAD OPTIONS for your Dual Action Polisher
Nothing wrong with the "normal" Lake Country 5.5" Fat Pads. I show them in all my classes and they are in fact thin.
5" Backing Plate
Lake Country 5" DA Backing Plate <-- Get this one as the Velcro will match Lake Country Pads
The 5" Lake Country Backing Plates fits all popular dual action polishers including Porter Cable, Griot's Garage and Meguiar's.
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)
Read it BEFORE using the polisher for the first time it will prevent you from making all the newbie mistakes....
DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide
And remember thin is in.... I coined that term back in 2010 and it's still accurate today. That is thinner pads rotate better than large thick pads. So keep that in mind when trying to work fast and trying to work efficient and choosing your pads and this also would mean choosing your backing plates.
Thin is in...
Here's some thin pad options...
5.5" SUPER THIN FOAM PAD OPTIONS for your Dual Action Polisher
Nothing wrong with the "normal" Lake Country 5.5" Fat Pads. I show them in all my classes and they are in fact thin.
5" Backing Plate
Lake Country 5" DA Backing Plate <-- Get this one as the Velcro will match Lake Country Pads
The 5" Lake Country Backing Plates fits all popular dual action polishers including Porter Cable, Griot's Garage and Meguiar's.
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)
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
And if you're new to machine polishing, watch this video...
Paul A.
New member
- Dec 21, 2007
- 5,276
- 1
^ This one video, right here, in my opinion, should be THE STAPLE of everyone's training whenever starting out with a DA. WATCH THIS VIDEO and if necessary watch it a few times to really absorb every aspect of Mike's several and comprehensive points and concepts. I remember seeing this when Mike first put it out and I go back and watch it as a refresher from time to time.
I, like many here, have a lot of experience with each type of machine...DA, forced rotation DA, long throw DA and rotary. Most of us start out with a basic DA and this video shows graphically AND verbally the concepts of how to do it perfectly! Having noted my experience level above, that means I may have "wandered" a bit from some of these basic concepts. This video is a perfect "reset" to go back and review EXACTLY how it should be done thus correcting any variations or deviance from the basics I may have picked up. Basically, not only is this the Bible for those just starting out with a DA machine but it has served me well as a periodic refresher and should be used by us with experience as well.
I think my customers get the best possible results because of what I have learned from Mike and others here. Take this video (and several others) and store it on your computer and use it to maintain your proficiency!
Now...what speed to use? 4 to spread and 6 to work.
I, like many here, have a lot of experience with each type of machine...DA, forced rotation DA, long throw DA and rotary. Most of us start out with a basic DA and this video shows graphically AND verbally the concepts of how to do it perfectly! Having noted my experience level above, that means I may have "wandered" a bit from some of these basic concepts. This video is a perfect "reset" to go back and review EXACTLY how it should be done thus correcting any variations or deviance from the basics I may have picked up. Basically, not only is this the Bible for those just starting out with a DA machine but it has served me well as a periodic refresher and should be used by us with experience as well.
I think my customers get the best possible results because of what I have learned from Mike and others here. Take this video (and several others) and store it on your computer and use it to maintain your proficiency!
Now...what speed to use? 4 to spread and 6 to work.
