Pad Discussions

RAG · 02-19-08, 06:29

We've had many good discussions on pads over the years here...I'd like to have another one about some of the popular pads out there:

1) Lake Country CCS - I'm thinking the consenus is that overall, the Lake Country CCS pads are the best. I must say I like them very much, though I'd like them even better if they didn't have those gimmic dimples...in theory, they hold wet product and thus all the product may not get broken down all the way if it really "releases" product midway through buffing...but I'm not sure they hurt any. But it's nonsense that they prevent chatter - I have old wolfgang concours pads that are very similar, only without the dimples, and I can't tell a difference.

Also, good thing CMA came out with the regular (they call it "OEM") version of their pads, cause their dual-density "Technology" pads have horrible backing and come apart rapidly...especially via DA.

2) American Buffing - if it wasn't for those gimmic cross-cuts, and recessed area in the back, these would be my favorite pads. In fact, the old American Buffing flowered-edge green pads (AKA Propel II) are still my favorite final finishing pads; I didn't care one way or another regarding the flowered edge, but these were the first pads with really good backing material...and they were flat on both sides, like pads should be. Their green foam was softer than the CCS green foam and is still the best final finishing foam/pad I've used! The problem I have with their new pads is that with the recessed area, they aren't think enough and "bottom out" too easily...also, the cross cuts are actually cut (and not formed) into the pad, and thus they tend to "shed" pad material and wear out too fast.

3) Cobra Cross Groove - What's the deal with these pads (I've never used them). They look like they'd be great if they didn't have the grooves. The gooves simply allow the pad to wear too fast and I'm sure allow more product sling via a rotary.

4) Meguiars soft-buff - tried and true shape, but the backing material stinks...needs to go edge to edge. And they need to make it in more foams - give this design to me in the white closed-cell foam along with a softer foam with edge to edge backing and I'd use them all day long. I guess you need gimmics to sell.

RCBuddha · 02-19-08, 06:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG

2) American Buffing - if it wasn't for those gimmic cross-cuts, and recessed area in the back, these would be my favorite pads. In fact, the old American Buffing flowered-edge green pads (AKA Propel II) are still my favorite final finishing pads; I didn't care one way or another regarding the flowered edge, but these were the first pads with really good backing material...and they were flat on both sides, like pads should be. Their green foam was softer than the CCS green foam and is still the best final finishing foam/pad I've used! The problem I have with their new pads is that with the recessed area, they aren't think enough and "bottom out" too easily...also, the cross cuts are actually cut (and not formed) into the pad, and thus they tend to "shed" pad material and wear out too fast.

+1

I was just telling Patrick that he should bring those back too! You listening Patrick?

mshu7 · 02-19-08, 07:07

Rag,

I have a couple of the American Buffing green and blue pads. I really like them as well. Where do you order yours from?

Dent's & Details · 02-19-08, 07:29

I want to know why more people don't use a 100PPI pad for final finishing with the rotary.
This with Menzerna FPII cant be beat on dark colors.
I have a couple from American buffing and one prototype from LC. The LC is close to a year old and is holding up well. I'm very careful with it. They have not put into production but if more people requested it they might.

tdekany · 02-19-08, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent's & Details

I want to know why more people don't use a 100PPI pad for final finishing with the rotary.
This with Menzerna FPII cant be beat on dark colors.
I have a couple from American buffing and one prototype from LC. The LC is close to a year old and is holding up well. I'm very careful with it. They have not put into production but if more people requested it they might.

Have you compared Ultra Fina to FPII?

TheFiveO · 02-19-08, 08:46

Rag, or anyone else familiar, have you tried the pads put out by SA Arnold? Most of their products seem pretty bullet proof and I like that SA Arnold had such a wide range of pads to choose from.

I will be honest, I am not sure of who the "parent" company is for their pads and have never personally used them, but they appear to be well made.

Dent's & Details · 02-20-08, 04:24

No I have not had a chance to try the 3M yet. I hear it is as good as FPII.
What about the price? I think I called a while back and the stuff was over $50.00 a bottle.
I have a sample of the M105 coming that I cant wait to give a spin. Get it give it a spin. lol

tdekany · 02-20-08, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dent's & Details

No I have not had a chance to try the 3M yet. I hear it is as good as FPII.
What about the price? I think I called a while back and the stuff was over $50.00 a bottle.
I have a sample of the M105 coming that I cant wait to give a spin. Get it give it a spin. lol

I paid $29.95 locally

RAG · 02-20-08, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mshu7

Rag,

I have a couple of the American Buffing green and blue pads. I really like them as well. Where do you order yours from?

I stocked up on them from Patrick and another supplier back east, but the flowered edge ones like are no longer being made. I'm sure they still have the dies to make them, so if enough people wanted them, AB would surely indulge us. Now they are making them with a cross-cut design, which effectively makes them too thin for my liking.

RAG · 02-20-08, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFiveO

Rag, or anyone else familiar, have you tried the pads put out by SA Arnold? Most of their products seem pretty bullet proof and I like that SA Arnold had such a wide range of pads to choose from.

I will be honest, I am not sure of who the "parent" company is for their pads and have never personally used them, but they appear to be well made.

Yeah, a couple of them...and they weren't my favorite...kinda basic and cheap feeling. And the ones I tried didn't have edge to edge backing, and as I recall, they were alittle undersized (6.0" I think)...and I didn't really like the composition of their foams. I didn't try their larger pads.

maesal · 02-20-08, 10:37

Propel 1 and 2 are simply great, I use them a lot. Also, 3M 50388 for finishing.

mshu7 · 02-20-08, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAG

I stocked up on them from Patrick and another supplier back east, but the flowered edge ones like are no longer being made. I'm sure they still have the dies to make them, so if enough people wanted them, AB would surely indulge us. Now they are making them with a cross-cut design, which effectively makes them too thin for my liking.

That's disappointing b/c I really like the flowered edge pads that I just got. Thanks for the info though!