PC, 4" pads or 5.5" pads?

LoiG37 · 10-13-09, 10:34

I do not have more experience with the PC so I am not sure of what size pads to go with. 4" or 5.5"

What I'm thinking is:

4" pads:
Pro: more cutting power. Con: takes a little longer

5.5" pads:
Pro: Can cover more area. Con: Less cutting power

I am mainly using the PC for 1 steppers but sometime I will run into full paint correction jobs.

Please help me decide which size is best, thanks.

Rcracin · 10-13-09, 10:45

It depends on what your needs are. Are you getting really hammered cars coming in? If so, then the 4" pads are a no brainer. Likewise if you're getting cars coming in that aren't so bad, the 5.5 pads will do the trick.

SoCalB6 · 10-13-09, 10:58

Shameless plug. I have 5" pads for sale. Yes, 5" Lake Country CCS pads. I use them both on a PC and rotary. I prefer smaller pads to larger (6.5"+) anyway. It's just become a personal preference after owning pads from 3"-8".

Accumulator · 10-13-09, 12:29

For correction, my vote goes to the 4" pads. I can't seem to accomplish much of anything with larger pads

toyotaguy · 10-13-09, 01:26

5.5" pads on the PC, spot defect removal (scratches) get done via rotary with a wool pad = super fast. Then go back over the car with the PC

Jason M · 10-13-09, 06:01

5.5" works best for me. 4" pads are painfully slow and while they do have more correction power I rarely see the speed advantage over doing a couple passes with 5.5" instead. If 5.5" isn't cutting it then I reach for the rotary. I have done an entire car with 4" pad...once and only once.

dheath · 10-13-09, 09:07

Does anyone find that the KBM works better with 5.5" pads as opposed to 4"? Im curious to whether the smaller pads gum up quicker or not.

Accumulator · 10-14-09, 09:21

Argh...I'm always envious of you folks who get good, timely correction with the 5.5" pads. Makes me wonder about my PCs, but they acted the same for me when they were new

Quote:

Originally Posted by dheath

Does anyone find that the KBM works better with 5.5" pads as opposed to 4"? Im curious to whether the smaller pads gum up quicker or not.

Well, smaller pads will load/gum up faster than big ones, but it's not an issue IME. But then if I'm doing a lot of large areas I'm usually reaching for the Flex anyhow...

Jason M · 10-14-09, 10:35

Smaller pads will gum up quicker. They have a lot less surface area and are removing more paint.