Help Me Pick New Pads/Polish?

[HLxDrummer]

I was doing a friends car today and even with M105 I was having a tough time getting all the defects out of the black paint. I am thinking this has to do with the LC orange pad I was using. I only have two oranges, two whites, and a black. Never used the black (probably a waste of money for me). I am thinking I will probably need some more aggressive pads and/or polish and was looking for your recommendations. I am doing this to make money so the boutique stuff won't work for me, need something relatively cost effective. Any advice? Using a G110 V1 by the way. Thanks!

Edit: I am considering the 3 inch MF backing plate/pads if they are compatible with my G110 since I have 5.5 inch stuff now, smaller would be nice for tight spots and more correction. I am also considering the CCS yellow pads. I am guessing my M105 is enough, isn't it?

[MCA]

What model/brand car are you working on because this is a HUGE variable as some paints are soft (Ex: BMW Jet Black) while others are rock hard (Ex: VW/Audi/MB). M105 + an LC orange pad should be able to remove 90% of the marring on most paints - the exception being really hard paint.

[HLxDrummer]

What model/brand car are you working on because this is a HUGE variable as some paints are soft (Ex: BMW Jet Black) while others are rock hard (Ex: VW/Audi/MB). M105 + an LC orange pad should be able to remove 90% of the marring on most paints - the exception being really hard paint.

Ya I've noticed it does make a difference. I did a Grand Marquis/Monte Carlo with either UC or SwirlX and orange/white pad (can't remember) and it worked great, but my 3000GT and the one I did today (has been repainted, however) didn't want to correct at all.

However, I would like to have the capability of correcting more if need be, as in the situation today. Got out the swirls no problem but the acid etching and other defects that I can't identify a source for it wouldn't touch.

[TOGWT]

Optimum Microfiber pads and Menzerna diminishing abrasive polishes - FG 500 (S100) Fast Gloss, PG1000 (PO203) Power Finish and SF 4000 (PO106FA) Super Finish should be all you need to meet any paint surface polishing needs

[HLxDrummer]

How do the Optimum MF pads compare to say the LC CCS orange/yellow/white pads? Just wondering what the difference is between foam and MF.

[SVR]

dunno what menzerna are doing but their new formulas suck. smell like petrol. solvents Id say

if your working on a european car, use european pads as they keep more polish on the surface of the paint than in the pad and have a higher surface tension than american foams

however my best advice, forget foam for correction and move to microfibre and surbuf and keep foam for the last step of a 2 or more step process.
microfibre allows you to use less polish too

[Shawn F.]

I suggest the microfiber pads as well. I have had tremendous luck with Optimum Cutting and Polishing MF pads. The size I prefer is 5.5" and I like to use their Hyper Spray Polish and Compound but any compound and polish will work. I would not throw out or let that black/grey pad go, they are great with a finish polish after the microfiber pads are used. Every paint/vehicle surface will be different though and will require additional steps or different steps. Not every paint surface will require the exact same steps. Some are much harder than others and require a more aggressive approach.

[SVR]

absolutely. keep those soft foam pads. I go beyond black to ivory and Gold pads with Xpert high tech or 3000 Jewelling polish that abrasively cleans instead of cutting

[Accumulator]

Yeah, unless you're using a Flex or a rotary, MF pads are the efficient way to go. While some cutting pads (I especially like the maroon Meguiar's foam ones) do work great on *certain* machines, MF cutting pads work well on most anything.

But on a less-than really potent machine, I'd still want to use little ones. 3" MF pads with M105 is a defect-killer combo, even on the hardest clear, at least IME.

[Thomas Dekany]

What kind of car was it?????????

MF pads are good to have, or you can try 3D's White cutting pad

5.5" White Flat Ultra Cutting Pad

[HLxDrummer]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I've used the white before and it definitely brought out so shine, but never used anything for "jeweling" yet. I'll definitely hang on to all of them.

Since I was already placing an order with 3D, I got their 5" backing plate and two of their flat yellow pads for more correction ability. I would have gone smaller and/or MF, but 3D doesn't sell either of those and I didn't want to pay for more shipping (trying to be cost effective).

The car was repainted (this car actually used to be mine and my Dad painted it, then we sold it to my best friend lol). If you look on my site you can see (the first picture - black roof). Much better than it was, but still had little pin hole defects all throughout.

[Thomas Dekany]

Tried looking, which page?

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I've used the white before and it definitely brought out so shine, but never used anything for "jeweling" yet. I'll definitely hang on to all of them.

Since I was already placing an order with 3D, I got their 5" backing plate and two of their flat yellow pads for more correction ability. I would have gone smaller and/or MF, but 3D doesn't sell either of those and I didn't want to pay for more shipping (trying to be cost effective).

The car was repainted (this car actually used to be mine and my Dad painted it, then we sold it to my best friend lol). If you look on my site you can see (the first picture - black roof). Much better than it was, but still had little pin hole defects all throughout.