Why not 6.5 pads on DA

That's what I'm using and from what I understand is what the Porter Cable was designed to use (someone could maybe confirm or deny that).
 
Yeah, I thought it was funny that the pads that came with my GG were 6.5 when most folks on AG seem to suggest that the 5 inch pad is the better choice...
 
If i remember correctly its because the pads large size + absorbsion of compound polish = the DA not being powerfull enough to turn the pad when you are putting downward pressure on the DA. The DA is not powerfull enough to (in most cases) efficiently operate with the large pads. Thats why almost everyone uses a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads.
 
6.5" pads will work just fine on a DA.

Most prefer smaller diameter pads on a DA though for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that if you are using a DA for any form of paint correction you need to be able to maintain pad rotation. If the pad stops spinning you are no longer efficiently leveling paint and are therefor wasting time, product, electricity, and energy. Due to the basic design of how a free spinning DA machine works it is harder to maintain pad rotation using larger diameter pads. 5.5" and smaller pads allow you to use an appropriate speed and maintain pad rotation much more easily.
 
I always used 4" pads in the past, and recently purchased a set of 6.5" ones. Having used both, i much prefer the 4's because of reasons stated above relating to the pads not spinning with the larger size
 
I use smaller pads because of the reasons stated prior, plus ease of use. Most vehicles are smaller with complex curves, meaning the smaller pads are much for usable. Larger pads work great for flat larger surfaces like vans, boats, etc.
 
they don't spin well. If your pads don't spin well, they don't correct well.
 
Larger pads = more mass = more power needed to rotate = easier to stop rotation = less correction
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
6.5" pads will work just fine on a DA.

Most prefer smaller diameter pads on a DA though for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that if you are using a DA for any form of paint correction you need to be able to maintain pad rotation. If the pad stops spinning you are no longer efficiently leveling paint and are therefor wasting time, product, electricity, and energy. Due to the basic design of how a free spinning DA machine works it is harder to maintain pad rotation using larger diameter pads. 5.5" and smaller pads allow you to use an appropriate speed and maintain pad rotation much more easily.
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:whs:
It has been said the the PC isn't quite up to the task of the larger pad, especially as it's loaded with liquid and used up paint. The GG is able to work the 6½" just fine. FWIW I have 3 backing plates for 4", 5½" & 6½" pads and use them all.
 
Whilst I understand that the smaller diameter pads may work more efficiently than say a larger 6.5" pad, I am currently using a really basic DA (here in South Africa it is marketed as a Shield product but I suspect it is based on the PC?) along with Lake Country 6.5" CCS pads.

Most of my detailing has been on (generally) harder VAG paint in conjunction with mostly Menzerna polishes and at the risk of sounding arrogant, I have managed to turn around a lot of daily drivers that were in poor shape with this combo

Sure, it may take longer, but you can still achieve the same results.... so to insinuate that you CANT use them on the DA is in my opinion very misleading.

To state that there are more efficient ways of correcting paint with a DA may be a better statement....?

Besides the increased cutting efficiency the smaller pads will offer, there is no denying that that they are needed for smaller areas where the 6.5" pads can admittedly be a problem....but I have been using 4" LC CCS spot pads for this....

Just my observations....
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
6.5" pads will work just fine on a DA.

Most prefer smaller diameter pads on a DA though for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that if you are using a DA for any form of paint correction you need to be able to maintain pad rotation. If the pad stops spinning you are no longer efficiently leveling paint and are therefor wasting time, product, electricity, and energy. Due to the basic design of how a free spinning DA machine works it is harder to maintain pad rotation using larger diameter pads. 5.5" and smaller pads allow you to use an appropriate speed and maintain pad rotation much more easily.
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Good summary. I also cover this in detail in my how-to book along with a lot of other detailed information to create a show car finish and then to maintain a show car finish.


Paperback




:xyxthumbs:
 
In addition to all of the above there is a financial advantage to the 5.5" pads. On your first 6 pack of pads you save almost enough to purchase a 5" backing plate and from there on you save each time you purchase more pads.
 
One thing I liked in Mike's book is the DA buffer comparison. He listed the power of each one, I was surprised that my Meguiar's DA was so
'lightline" next to the Griot's latest and greatest. It will be on a future shopping list someday.
The Flex has no trouble turning anything and we immediately hit it off when we got togeather recently!
 
Dave Medvic said:
One thing I liked in Mike's book is the DA buffer comparison. He listed the power of each one, I was surprised that my Meguiar's DA was so
'lightline" next to the Griot's latest and greatest. It will be on a future shopping list someday.
The Flex has no trouble turning anything and we immediately hit it off when we got togeather recently!
Click to expand...

Oh I love it when you talk dirty, (she said). :buffing:
 
Pressure = Force / Area

Increasing the area (using a larger pad) will require you to exert more force to achieve the same amount of pressure on the pad. This means that you will have to work harder to correct the paint.
 
I use 6.5" pads with a 5" plate on a GG, no problem, I have the torque. I also use 4" pads for smaller panels, such as fenders, bumpers, etc.
 
To me 5.5" pads seem plenty big enough. There are so many curves and narrow panels on my vehicles I couldn't imagine using anything bigger with any precision. In fact I find myself using 4" pads quite often. I feel like I have more control with 5.5" low profile pads.
 
spiralout462 said:
To me 5.5" pads seem plenty big enough. There are so many curves and narrow panels on my vehicles I couldn't imagine using anything bigger with any precision. In fact I find myself using 4" pads quite often. I feel like I have more control with 5.5" low profile pads.
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I think it really depends on the vehicle curveture like you stated, and what you feel comfortable with.

For example I'll use my 6.5 meg's pads to correct larger areas, then finish down with 4" pads.
 
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