Alternative PC Pads

puterbum · 02-26-02, 05:21

I believe most people out there use the CMA PC pads (made by Lake Country) with the Velcro hook & loop fasteners, and that's great!

However, I'm interested in hearing from the rest of you who use a different pad besides the Lake Country ones. Meguiar's? 3M? Which pads do you use and how would you compare them from others you have used? Tips?

I just got a PC last week and will be buying most, if not all, of my pads and backing plate locally. FinishMaster carries Meguiar's pads for about $11, and also have a velcro backing plate for $18.

Shiny Lil Detlr · 02-26-02, 06:46

I use meguiar's and/or griots pads. all with the meguiars backing plate.

JeffBruce · 02-26-02, 07:18

I have CMAs and Meguiars, Am favoring Meguires for a few reasons.
1. Colors...The colors of the pads from CMA and Meguires are different, for the cutting pad and the polishing Pad...For my Makita i have CMA's.
2. Meguires just feel better and i have less splatter.....I think my issue is techniqic, proper pad with proper solution for problem area.

puterbum · 02-26-02, 09:55

Thanks for the info guys! I have a couple more questions:

Which Meguiar's pad would you compare to the CMA yellow cutting pad? Meguiar's makes a red cutting pad and a yellow cut/polishing pad, don't they? Is the red too harsh? I'll be buying pads tomorrow I think...

Thanks a lot!

Justin

Michael H · 02-26-02, 10:20

The Meguiars W8006 is a good all round pad. Can be used for cutting, paint cleaning and polishing. I apply wax by hand but it is OK for that as well.

carguy · 02-27-02, 01:09

I have used:

<ul>
<li>Griot's red buffing: DON'T LIKE ( bottoms out easily, leaves too much foam behind)
<li>Lake Country Yellow Cutting: LIKE
<li>Lake Country White Polishing: LIKE
<li>Lake Country Black/Gray Buffing: SO-SO (good for liquid wax application)
<li>Meguiar's Soft-Buff Polishing Pad LIKE Maybe a little gentler than LC white
<li>Meguiar's Soft-Buff Buffing Pad LIKE A LOT softest, best for super-gentle work. I use the Ultimate Bonnett over this for buffing. considerably softer than LC black.
</ul>

Can't comment on the Meguiar's Red cutting pad. Haven't tried one. I did mistakenly order some of the Meguiar's polishing pads that come pre-glued to a red vinyl backing plate (i.e., not velcro) - didn't like them and they separated from the backing plates prematurely. Also haven't tried Griot's orange polishing pad.

JeffBruce · 02-27-02, 05:15

I do not know of Meguiars red pads....the maroon or purple cutting pads have work fine for me
jeff

puterbum · 02-27-02, 06:19

What would you compare the strength of the Maroon/Purple cutting pads to? Is it as strong as or stronger than the yellow CMA / Lake Country pad?

Anyone have a wholesaler's license? PC Pads for $8 here, but you need a biz license. Same pads as CMA sells, they have more than they show.

forrest · 02-27-02, 07:05

I must be the only one using te 3M pads.

They're 6" black waffle style. I'm traveling at the moment and don;t have the part #, but it's their DA glazing pad.

It's very soft, and ideal for glazes, final waxes, etc. There's not much cutting ability to it, but it works very well for my needs.

JeffBruce · 02-27-02, 07:06

My 2c's
Meguires Pads have been through a war, from 3m's and meguires fine cut , 3m's and meguires swirl products and cleaners. Meguires seems to stand out better. Cleaning , reusing. i have no scientific data, just usage over time. I Clean them with dawn and water, air dry. I am going to purchase a spir...This may be just for my wool....and see if that helps clean. because of the time it takes to dry I have stocked up on these pads.

spiroh · 02-27-02, 08:30

So these pads that you guys mention will work with the velcro kit?

carguy · 02-27-02, 08:40

Quote:

Originally posted by JeffBruce
I do not know of Meguiars red pads....the maroon or purple cutting pads have work fine for me
jeff

Yeah, Jeff - that's the one I meant. I didn't even know they had a cutting pad. Do you like it?

I was originally drawn to the anti-spatter, compound distribution claim for the inverted, terraced design of the LC pads. And I still think that is somewhat valid and cool. But I haven't had that much touble with these issues with Meguiar's pads. Also, the flatter nature of the meguiars pads means you can distribute compounds with less pressure - so for stuff that really doesn't need pressure like Klasse SG, liquid waxes, etc - I like them a bit better. Both work well though for sure.

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiroh
So these pads that you guys mention will work with the velcro kit?

Spiroh - yes, all these pads come velcro-backed.