Has anybody seen these updated CCS pads?

charlesaferg · 04-30-08, 03:54

6-1/2 inch, CCS Technology Pads<br>for use on conventional and scratch-resistant clear coats.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could see this being okay for LSP application on the softer pads, but wouldn't this hinder the performance of the orange foam with that soft blue layer behind it?

I have always had a problem with the orange 6.5 pads sinking in the middle after multiple re-uses, but I can't see how this makes things better. I would think it wouldn't conform as well to the surface with the stronger, uniform pressure of the typical full-orange pad.

docrice · 04-30-08, 05:00

On the other hand, the "OEM" pads are cheaper now:

OEM-Style, CCS Technology, 6.5 inch Foam Pads

Setec Astronomy · 04-30-08, 05:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could see this being okay for LSP application on the softer pads, but wouldn't this hinder the performance of the orange foam with that soft blue layer behind it?

I don't see where they're offering the orange pad, and IME the CMA yellow pads tend to be really soft, so it may not be an issue. Not that I really buy into the whole dual-density sales pitch, but those soft yellow pads with the blue backing did seem to work really well.

themightytimmah · 04-30-08, 07:03

CMA pads are hot, I like the foam way better than the OEMs, but the backing pads were sorely lacking on the last batch I bought. I was lucky to see 3-4 cars per pad.

cj99si · 04-30-08, 07:30

I wont buy anything but OEM's from now on. The other ones fall apart way to soon(I have tried them all)

Well past 15+ cars on the OEM's with proper cleaning and they still look brand new.

charlesaferg · 04-30-08, 07:39

I did notice the OEM pads don't have the specific text in the wash warning that reads something to the extent of, "the glue will break down." Only the modified, dual foam pads do. Why would these dual-foam pads have the warning, but not OEM? Also, they have different velcro backers on the rear of the dual-foam vs OEM.

Do you think they get them shipped from LC bare, and then they install their own velcro backing, hence why they are concerned? I've never had a problem with my OEM pad backings being washed in detergent, maybe the dual-foam pads have inferior material when the slimmer backers are installed, they even have different text on the back. Hmm.

Honestly though, my only gripe about the OEM pads is they don't have the cut, rounded edges.
I'd replace all my pads if they sold a standard OEM pad with a rounded cut edge, do you guys concur?

SuperBee364 · 04-30-08, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

I did notice the OEM pads don't have the specific text in the wash warning that reads something to the extent of, "the glue will break down." Only the modified, dual foam pads do. Why would these dual-foam pads have the warning, but not OEM? Also, they have different velcro backers on the rear of the dual-foam vs OEM.

Do you think they get them shipped from LC bare, and then they install their own velcro backing, hence why they are concerned? I've never had a problem with my OEM pad backings being washed in detergent, maybe the dual-foam pads have inferior material when the slimmer backers are installed, they even have different text on the back. Hmm.

Honestly though, my only gripe about the OEM pads is they don't have the cut, rounded edges.
I'd replace all my pads if they sold a standard OEM pad with a rounded cut edge, do you guys concur?

I've had four black CCS pads (the ones from the link in the first post... with the blue layer) delaminate the velcro from the back of the pad. I have a bunch of these pads in all different colors, and only the black ones have had the delamination problem with the velcro. The latest one happened just last week after three total washes in Snappy Clean pad cleaner. Overall, I do like CMA's blue-backed pads. Just can't seem to get a decent black one from them, though. I've never had an OEM pad lose it's velcro, either.

And yeah, I do like the rounded edges.

tdekany · 04-30-08, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

6-1/2 inch, CCS Technology Pads<br>for use on conventional and scratch-resistant clear coats.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could see this being okay for LSP application on the softer pads, but wouldn't this hinder the performance of the orange foam with that soft blue layer behind it?

I have always had a problem with the orange 6.5 pads sinking in the middle after multiple re-uses, but I can't see how this makes things better. I would think it wouldn't conform as well to the surface with the stronger, uniform pressure of the typical full-orange pad.

Those pads with the blue foam are the best pads for the rotary. Much easier to control the more dense pads like the orange and yellow. The velcro on them however suck.

Worst in the industry.

charlesaferg · 04-30-08, 11:10

So, that makes sense with the orange and yellow, I have honestly stopped using my 7.5 yellow pads on my Metabo rotary due to the fact that they are too darn difficult to work with, especially in tight places. They are almost too aggressive for any type of paint with 34A Powergloss without being unnecessarily careful. the 6.5 is just fine though, as I find it to be more effective with a RO/Flex than a with a rotary anyways, as it's unneeded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdekany

Those pads with the blue foam are the best pads for the rotary. Much easier to control the more dense pads like the orange and yellow. The velcro on them however suck.

Worst in the industry.

Sounds like I should submit the thread to CCS & the vendor. Maybe this will initiate some improvements, seeing as us autopians are most likely one of their main customers.

Overall it seems like the lamination needs to be of much higher quality on the dual-foam pads, and they need to offer the OEM pad with the rounded edge and no other difference.

DJBAILEY · 05-01-08, 01:37

I've had problems with all the colors of the CMA CCS pads. The backing velcro fabric is way too thin. I also think that the backing fabric should extend out closer to the edge. There is just too much action at the edge of the fabric wherethe backing plate gets pushed into the foam during polishing. The glue on the edge cannot hold onto that blue foam. I have repaired them successfully using Liquid Nail Special Project glue #1. They have 3 glues based on what materials you are glueing together. The #1 glue is for fabric and foam. It stays very pliable and is holding a lot longer than the original glue. I've got 2 green pads that I think I am going to pull the fabric off and glue a new piece of better velcro fabric onto it instead of regluing the loose sections.

I bought those pads specifically because they are the only ones selling rounded edge CCS pads. I love the green and the orange foam is way better than the OEM orange.

Setec Astronomy · 05-01-08, 04:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesaferg

Sounds like I should submit the thread to CCS & the vendor. Maybe this will initiate some improvements, seeing as us autopians are most likely one of their main customers.

Interesting postulate; I wonder if it's true? The forum statistics show over 48,000 members, but only 4500 or so are considered "active"--so less than 10%. Then there are probably tons of lurkers who never become members. Is that community really the "main" customers of a company like LC or CMA? My guess is no, that high volume detailers are the main customers of LC and that CMA gets most of their customers from random web searches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJBAILEY

I've had problems with all the colors of the CMA CCS pads. The backing velcro fabric is way too thin. I also think that the backing fabric should extend out closer to the edge.

But those are selling points, according to CMA, that the backing is thin and doesn't extend to the edge where it can scuff your paint. I agree with you (and others who have brought this up before), that it's not very good. I personally have had pretty good luck with it staying on, but I probably don't have as many miles on those pads as some of you.

wfedwar · 05-01-08, 07:10

FWIW, I like the 7.5" and have had no delaminating issues. The backing is different on those, though. The velcro is glued to a fairly rigid rubber plate, not directly to the blue foam. The velcro on the 6.5" pads is a known issue, but the blue foam design is cool. I wish they'd fix the velcro issue.