Orange Pads....what's the low down?

Macgirl · 12-09-03, 10:51

I've been reading up on these orange pads and I'm getting really interested in them. Heck, you can compound and polish with one pad! Only thing is I haven't read much on their performance here, do they actually perform as advertised? I've read on a few posts that they "gum up" quickly but I haven't really read anything that just flat out says they suck and aren't worth the money, nor has anyone said they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Anybody been able to work with these pads lately and have a review of them?

Also, most of the orange pads I've seen online are Lake Country pads but CMA doesn't specify who manfactures their pad. They all look the same to me but CMA states that to their knowledge they are the only U.S. source of these pads. Just curious if they are the LC one's also?

Any comments, pro & con, are appreciated.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all!

Gonzo · 12-09-03, 10:58

I thought the CMA site said the orange pads were made in Germany.

tom p. · 12-09-03, 11:32

Quote:

From Germany to General Motors!

These are the hottest, newest, virtually-impossible-to-get pads in the industry. We have them in stock!

These pads are machined in the U.S. out of a patented, proprietary foam which is imported from Germany. (We were mistakenly told that this foam was manufactured by Neutex AG, Hinwill, Switzerland but have since discovered that it comes from Reisgies Schaumstoffe Gmbh, Leverkusen, Germany.)

This new foam has taken the European automakers by storm and is being used at the OEM level by Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi.

Quote:

Note: Other catalog and web retailers have recently started offering an orange-colored pad. They are not the same as this pad. To our knowledge, we are the only US source for this pad.

CMA link

Dave Holmes · 12-09-03, 11:58

Here's my take on the orange pads, having used the small 4" concave spot repair type:

They seem to be a compromise between a dedicated cutting and a polishing pad (for reference, I use Lake Country VC 7 or 7.5" pads from TOTL. They may be the "advanced", not sure of name, but I know mine are the ones that can be machine washed). The orange pad I use does not have quite the swirl removing capability of a cutting foam pad, even with same product (DACP). Polishing with it is about the same as using a polishing pad, but it doesn't seem to leave the surface quite as smooth/slick (with Megs #9. But it may be operator error).
All in all, I'm satisfied with mine. Like I said, it is a compromise between dedicated pads. It does what it is supposed to do. With that said, I use my small pads for spot repair and bumpers, etc, where it is more than adequate. For larger work, I'll reach for my dedicated cutting and polishing pads which are more "specialized" for what I'll be doing. With the fact that pads need to be cleaned before swapping products, cutting and then polishing will still require 2 pads. In this sense, an orange pad doesn't really take the place of 2 dedicated pads, unless you wash your pad, dry it, then use it for a different product. I normally use my pads, then clean them when I am totally finished.
Another thing about the orange pad I've noticed is that it seems more fragile than LC's pads I'm accustomed to. I've never had a problem with LC's pads and my emblems, but the orange pads get gouges from them. This may be user error, but I thought it should be pointed out.
I'll continue using the orange pads in 4" size just for spot repairs/bumpers. But for full size pads, I'll stick with the Lake Country VC 7.5" (6/$45 at TOTL).

Dave

Macgirl · 12-09-03, 12:09

Thanks for the replies thus far guys! Keep 'em coming.

Anyone use the orange pad with Menzerna IP? Results?

Spilchy · 12-09-03, 12:31

You can post this in CMA's forum only because I know they use the Menzerna Polishes extensively with their Orange pad.

They'll be happy to chime in along with everyone else.

Greg · 12-09-03, 12:32

When I did some searches on this pad here on Autopia, I got a bunch of people saying that they were extremely disappointed in the quality of this pad and that while it did provide good results, it didn't last enough to justify the cost.

Bill D · 12-09-03, 01:25

I have the orange pads and the LC pads, LC pads do a better compounding job IMO. Being that, I'm going to stick to the dedicated pads line from LC and not get any more orange pads

Mosca · 12-09-03, 02:16

The orange pad is a nice pad to use with an "inbetween" polish like IP. In general, for more thorough work I use the orange pad with IP, for less intense jobs I use the polishing pad.

Tom

SuperBuick · 12-09-03, 02:58

I've used the orange pad with IP and been very satisfied with the results. It worked great removing medium-fine swirling. For more fine swirls, try FP with an orange pad - another combo that worked well for me.

-Tom

Nick@DParadise · 12-11-03, 04:57

Quote:

Originally posted by BlackRegal
The foam is made in Germany. The pad is made in the United States.

I believe Lake Country manufacturers the pad, since it uses the "variable contact" design, which I think they have patented, regardless of the foam composition.

My guess is Lake Country has some sort of relationship with the European foam/pad companies, and some sort of deal to distribute their products in the U.S., whether they are using their foam as raw material or distributing the final products.

The above statement is the true story about the fabled orange pad. I'm not sure if LC imports the foam or the assembled pad, but the point is the special foam pad comes through LC to us.

CMA claims that they are the only company selling these pads. This is simply wrong. When they first started selling the pad, they were indeed the only. This is no longer true. They are not the only company selling the orange special imported foam pad. This is a fact.

As for performace, it has a bit more bite than the LC white polishing pad, but I wouldn't go so far as calling it a true cutting pad. It doesn't come close to a yellow pad. I think it fills the void between the white and yellow and is worth owning, but I don't consider it an all-in-one. I like to pair it with 1Z Paint Polish.

I have found on bigger jobs the pad will gum up a bit. The pad will be spent at the end of a larger sedan. An SUV might require two pads depeding on the condition of the paint.

I hope this clears things up a bit.

Spilchy · 12-11-03, 05:57

TOL sells the 7.5" Orange pads for cheap. I purchased three of them.

I also purchased two of the 6" Orange pads from Autopia store coupled with the flex back plate for the PC.

They feel real nice - hard, like a cutting pad and have a quality velcro backing.