Which pads should I buy?

iyzmi · 07-17-08, 11:35

I'm trying to decide between buying Edge 2000 Pads or LC Pads. I like how the Edge pads don't need backing plates for all the different sized and both sides can be used. Any reason I should go with LC over Edge 2000?

Then after that decision is made, which colors and which sizes of pads do I need for swirl removal with a PC? I'd like to get one of each color available besides the most aggressive compounding pad. I don't really want to get 2 sizes of the same color so I was thinking for polishing pads I should go with 4" and then for buffing, I should go with 6". Thanks in advance for the help!

Greg Nichols · 07-18-08, 11:55

I like the LC foam pads more than the edge, they just seem to work better. If you are talking about wool, the edge 6" are amazing.

I would get: white, blue, red foam LC pads. Then get a purple foamed wool LC for your cutting pad.

lecchilo · 07-18-08, 12:29

My recommendation is LC or Meguiar's pads... LC purple foamed wool pad is a must for a rotary (never tried it for Flex or PC) and a few white and orange pads should be great to start off with.

Greg Nichols · 07-18-08, 12:33

I missed the part of the PC...................... strike the purple foam wool, wool likes to go in circles.

Legacy99 · 07-18-08, 01:22

4" for correction and 5.5" for final polish, waxing, etc.

iyzmi · 07-18-08, 07:16

Any particular reason why the LC pads are better? You need to buy backing plates for them and you can only use one side. With the edge pads you can use both sides and one adapter will cover all the sizes you need. Plus they are cheaper. Hmmm...

lecchilo · 07-18-08, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by iyzmi

Any particular reason why the LC pads are better? You need to buy backing plates for them and you can only use one side. With the edge pads you can use both sides and one adapter will cover all the sizes you need. Plus they are cheaper. Hmmm...

Try both see which one you like... from looking at prices, they're about even when it comes to pricing... yes edge pad is 2 sided, but one pad is 15-20, whereas LC pad is 7-12.. you need a $15-20 backing plate for LC pads, and you need a $18-20 adapter for Edge pads...

In the end, LC is better, at least for me, because of the versatility in sizes, etc...

The main reason I'll never even try edge is because logic tells me not to... imagine if the adapter fails (which I've heard happens, or at least used to, fairly often)... you got metal scraping on the paint for a few seconds until you turn it off... not good

iyzmi · 07-18-08, 07:58

Trying both is not an option, it would cost way too much. With edge pads you don't need different sized backing plates for the different sizes of pads. That, combined with being able to use both sides of the pad (basically like having 2 pads), is where the savings comes from.

But since everybody here is recommending I go with LC pads, I think I'll just do that instead. I'm thinking I will get orange and white for 4" pads and blue and red for 6". Does that sound good? I'm skipping green and gray unless somebody thinks I should get some of those as well.

lecchilo · 07-18-08, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by iyzmi

Trying both is not an option, it would cost way too much. With edge pads you don't need different sized backing plates for the different sizes of pads. That, combined with being able to use both sides of the pad (basically like having 2 pads), is where the savings comes from.

But since everybody here is recommending I go with LC pads, I think I'll just do that instead. I'm thinking I will get orange and white for 4" pads and blue and red for 6". Does that sound good? I'm skipping green and gray unless somebody thinks I should get some of those as well.

You don't need blue and red... you don't even need one probably... maybe get 1 black pad for finishing polishes, but with a PC a white pad will finish down perfect on just about any paint... I would suggest getting the 5.5" pads for the most part, and 1 or 2 yellow 4" pads for some deeper correction you might encounter.. I would suggest getting a 3-pack for $20, from autogeek, for white and orange 5.5" pads and 1-2 yellow 4" pads, along with both backing plates. If that's too much, I'd say 1-2 orange 5.5, 1-2 white 5.5, and 1 4" yellow

iyzmi · 07-18-08, 08:24

Don't need the yellow, nothing THAT serious. Orange should be the aggressive color I need.

JonP · 07-18-08, 08:24

Before the Edge 2000 system came out, I was using double sided pads in that simply screws on the rotary like a backing plate. No worries about the pad falling off or scraping the paint from a failed adapter. I do use the Edge 2000 as well, I've never experienced any problems with the system. I use both and the Velcro pads/backing plate. I prefer the latter since I can get a better deal on these pads than the Edge 2000 system. I think the LC pads would be better, but that is just my opinion.

lecchilo · 07-18-08, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by iyzmi

Don't need the yellow, nothing THAT serious. Orange should be the aggressive color I need.

A yellow pad on a PC is not even close to "THAT" serious... if you plan on detailing a moderately swirled audi, I would seriously suggest 1-2 4" yellow pads.