Which Pads to Get?

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EM1_Chris

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Hello guys,

I am planning on ordering a Porter Cable 7424XP this week (Porter Cable 7424XP & Flat Pad Kit, Lake Country Flat 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, Porter Cable Pads) that comes with 5 pads I can choose.

However, I don't know which pads to choose.

I have always detailed my car by hand and always had good results but I want to move onto a machine to get even better results.

Here is the current line up of products I use:

Meguiars Mirror Glaze line:
#80(speed glaze)
#20(polymer sealant)
#26(hi-tech yellow wax)

Can you guys help me match the best pad to each product above?

Thanks,
Chris

​
 
I would try to get 5.5" pads. If you talk to customer service they can probably arrange it.

sealants and wax are applied with soft pads and do not require any cut
the cut of pads for the glaze are dependent on the severity of the swirls you are trying to deal with.
 
I use the 6.5" pads with my PC and they work great. I would start with 1 orange, 2 white, 2 gray. It also depends on how bad of shape the paint is that you are working on.
 
dougaross said:
I would try to get 5.5" pads. If you talk to customer service they can probably arrange it.

sealants and wax are applied with soft pads and do not require any cut
the cut of pads for the glaze are dependent on the severity of the swirls you are trying to deal with.
Click to expand...

I too would recommend 5.5" pads. It does make a world of difference. I would go further and recommend HydroTech pads. Call customer service, I believe they'll put together a kit for you.
 
It doesn't look like your ordering any products that have any cut to them, so stick with any soft pad that can be used to apply wax, sealent, etc.

When your start working with products to remove swirls, scratches, etc., I think you will be happiest using a 5 inch bp with 5.5 pads. I have had a lot of success with the Lake Country flat pads. Which color pads you choose will depend on your goals and what project your working on. The 5.5 inch pads will get you better results then the 6.5 inch pads. A ton of literature on this.
 
EM1_Chris said:
I am planning on ordering a Porter Cable 7424XP this week (Porter Cable 7424XP & Flat Pad Kit, Lake Country Flat 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, Porter Cable Pads) that comes with 5 pads I can choose.

However, I don't know which pads to choose...
Click to expand...
I ordered the same kit, a few months ago, and I emailed to ask if I could get the 5.5" Low Profile Hydro-Techs, instead of the 6.5". They said okay! So, I chose 2 Cyan and 3 Tangerine of the 5.5" low profile HT's.

I don't know if my choices make sense for you, though. Since your products have no cut to them, maybe you should get some Crimson HT pads, or maybe just the 5.5" blue or black flat pads.

Do you plan on getting some more aggressive polishes to remove swirls or RIDS? If so, then that would also affect your choice.
 
I started with 6.5" CCS and 4" flat pads with a PCXP. I currently use 5.5" flats and the 4" pads.

A 5.5" pad cuts faster when you decide it's time to correct. Also, the 5.5" pad may be a better size on some vehicles with lots of curves. Lastly, I found that I used a lot more sealant with the 6.5" pads. I suggest using separate pads for wax, sealants and polishes. You don't want to contaminate your sealants with wax and polishes if you don't get the pad absolutely clean.

I personally prefer flat pads to the CCS, at least with a compound and polish. The dimpled pad might offer some benefits with the sealant to release product held in the dimples. I find that polishes and compounds tend to gum up in the dimples and the flat pads are easier to wipe clean on the fly.

I also use red pads for applying LSPs and whites for polishes. Depending on the pad brand, there are middle grades between red and white with various levels of firmness and cut. You may want something with a little more firmness than a red pad for the glaze.

Good luck!
 
Is there much of a difference between the blue and the red pads? Just personal preference?
 
indianaryan said:
Is there much of a difference between the blue and the red pads? Just personal preference?
Click to expand...
Using standard Lake Country CCS and Flat pads for color examples. The reds are softer than the blues. No cutting although I have never tried finish polishing or glazing with red. Blues are firmer and provide a firmer base for polishing. Seem more appropriate for cleaner waxes and prewax paint cleaners. Blacks tend to be used with finishing polishes by many.

Yes, personal preference.
 
EM1_Chris said:
Hello guys,

I am planning on ordering a Porter Cable 7424XP this week (Porter Cable 7424XP & Flat Pad Kit, Lake Country Flat 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, Porter Cable Pads) that comes with 5 pads I can choose.

However, I don't know which pads to choose.

I have always detailed my car by hand and always had good results but I want to move onto a machine to get even better results.

Here is the current line up of products I use:

Meguiars Mirror Glaze line:
#80(speed glaze)
#20(polymer sealant)
#26(hi-tech yellow wax)

Can you guys help me match the best pad to each product above?

Thanks,
Chris

​
Click to expand...

Hello Chris and :welcome: to Autogeek!

One of the machines I have is the Porter Cable 7424. This is a great machine, it's rugged, well built, and under normal use will last you for years.

Initially, I began using 6 1/2 CCS pads. These are really nice pads but what I found was they're just a little to big for this unit and I found I was stalling it without exerting a great deal of pressure.

I read several posts recommending that this type of unit is right at home with the 5 1/2" flat pads and you know something, they were right!

In this case Yellow is the most aggressive pad and as you go to Orange, then White the cutting ability becomes less and less. The gray pad has almost no cut at all and is considered a finishing pad. The blue and red are for applying sealants and waxes.

Take a look at the links below and see if it begins to make sense.

Autogeek Buffing Pad Comparison Chart

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads
 
Thanks a lot guys with the suggestions and input! It seems that 5.5" pads are the best route to go.

As for the Meguiars 80 speed glaze I have, the bottle does say it has a number 4 cut and will remove light swirls.

As for my car, it has light-moderate swirls each time I detail it per 6 months.

Thanks Niele and BobbyG for the links, I will take a look at them.

Chris
 
EM1_Chris said:
Thanks a lot guys with the suggestions and input! It seems that 5.5" pads are the best route to go.

As for the Meguiars 80 speed glaze I have, the bottle does say it has a number 4 cut and will remove light swirls.

As for my car, it has light-moderate swirls each time I detail it per 6 months.

Thanks Niele and BobbyG for the links, I will take a look at them.

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris,

Add this to your reading homework...

Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart
 
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