LC Low profile 5.5" pads vs LC Hydro Tech - Page 2

Leadfootluke · 11-05-09, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRace559

I just ordered a few of the Hydro-Tech pads. I've been using the CCS pads for a while but they really aren't that great. They don't last too long before they need to be replaced.

I should have my pads as well as my 105/205 tomorrow so I'll post some reviews within the next few days.

Sounds good!

I got my Hydro-Tech pads yesterday, but I am waiting for the 105/205 to come tomorrow. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the that combo.

SuperBee364 · 11-05-09, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

I always wondered how to spell that, Supe

. Sheesh, you guys had me looking at all those pads at the DI site for 3-4 minutes before I finally snapped out of it and realized I still have like 30 pads I haven't even used yet...darn Autopia...

I had to look it up.

This place really is hard on the pocket book.

RaskyR1 · 11-05-09, 12:13

You can use the Hydro pads with non-water based polishes too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by th0001

The Cyan Advanced Cutting Foam is a moderate to aggressive polishing/cutting pad designed for moderate to severe defect removal while still finishing to a high gloss, nearly mark free finish. The Tangerine Ultra Polishing Foam is moderately light polishing foam that will remove compounding marks and typical swirl marks while finishing to a hologram free finish.

Where do these pads fit in Lake Country’s already extensive line up?

The Cyan Advanced Cutting Pad is slightly less aggressive then the Lake Country Yellow Cutting foam, but will finish as nice as the Orange Power Pad foam. It fills the gap perfectly. The Tangerine Ultra Polishing Foam is slightly less aggressive then the Orange Power Pad Foam but more aggressive then the White Polishing Foam, while producing a finish that is near equal to the Black Finessing Foam.

Got_Leather · 11-05-09, 07:03

A good pad works with all polishes

bogi094 · 11-05-09, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

You can use the Hydro pads with non-water based polishes too.

is it good to use the cyan pad with M105 and the tangerine hydro tech pads together? or is the tangerine too much for M205 for finishing?

Thanks

Leadfootluke · 11-05-09, 08:03

I will be doing Cyan/105 and Tangerine/205 as I have seen others do. This was also recommended to me. I will be trying soon!

Cholleman · 11-06-09, 05:15

great. as if there aren't enough options, now i'm even more torn.

i was all set to place an order for some orange, white and black 5.5's. are the hydro's that much better?

RaskyR1 · 11-06-09, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogi094

is it good to use the cyan pad with M105 and the tangerine hydro tech pads together? or is the tangerine too much for M205 for finishing?

Thanks

I would do a test spot to confirm with the paint you are working on, but yes, that combo should work well. If you have a customer paying top dollar, a final jeweling step may improve upon it though.

I have a VW R32 I may try this combo on tomorrow but my use of the pads has been pretty limited so far.

RickRack · 11-06-09, 09:16

Wow, these new pads seem to be getting a lot of attention now that this foam is available here in the US… I have been using this type of foam for over a year now and must say that these pads are a nice addition to the pads that Lake Country already offers. In many cases, they turn what would normally be a 3-step polish into a 2-step polish, because they have significant cutting ability, yet finish-off very well.

When you first feel the pads, you’re thinking in your head "There's no way I'm polishing the paint with this", because the pads have a very coarse and aggressive feel to them. This all changes once the pad is saturated with polish. I found that by soaking them in hot water for about a minute or so really helps to soften them up before use. After soaking them in hot water, I squeeze out as much water as possible by hand, then spin the pad dry with the rotary and use compressed air to get them as dry as possible.

The only downfall I have found with these pads is that they don't last as long as traditional foam pads. The key to extending the life of the pad is to keep the outer edges of the pad saturated with polish.

The best way I have found when using these via rotary, is to apply a bead of polish to the outer edge of the pad and rub it in good with your fingers, then apply a small bead of polish on the panel. Pick-up the bead of polish with the buffer/pad and you are good to go. These pads (especially the cyan) will heat up the paint very fast, so be extremely careful until you get some experience with them.

When using these pads via PC, I like to apply a bead of polish all the way around toward the top of the pad (close to edge), then apply an 'X' in the middle of the pad. After the polish is applied, rub the polish into the pad with your fingers and push the polish toward the outer edge of the pad so the edges get saturated. This is just the way I do it. It seems to work the best for me and really seems to extend the life of the pad and ensure even coverage. After the pad is primed, you will only need a minimal amount of polish for each additional polishing session.

The cyan (blue) pad paired with SIP, cuts like an aggressive compound, but will finish off almost hologram free on most paints and will just need a quick zip over with a finishing polish. This combo is truly amazing and cuts just as well as a heavy compound on a wool pad, minus the marring. Many of the cars I detail have very hard clear. These pads have made my life so much easier it's incredible. If I had to compare the cyan pad to another pad, I would compare it to the Scholl Concepts blue foam and the Menzerna white/orange foam. If you are not familiar with either of these pads, I would say the cyan pad has a little more cut than a traditional LC orange pad and is pretty close to the cut of yellow, yet finishes off better than an orange pad.

The tangerine pad is comparable to the Scholl Concepts orange pad, or the traditional LC green or white pad, but has a tad more cut. It is great for removing light to moderate defects, compounding haze and swirl marks. Its finishing ability is comparable to a white pad and will finish off LSP ready on most paints, but may require a less aggressive combo on softer paint and/or darker colors. This pad paired with Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) is an awesome 1-step polishing combo that works well on a majority of finishes. As I mentioned above, you may need to follow up with a finishing polish on softer paint and/or darker colors.

As with anything, there isn’t one single product, tool or pad that is going to work great for every situation. I find that these pads work the best on harder clears such as BMW (except Jet Black), Audi, Mercedes, Corvettes and other manufacturers that have SRC finishes. I think they fill the gap well and are a huge timesaver when working with harder paints, although they do work fantastic on softer paints too. I still like to use the traditional style LC pads on certain paints (5.5 inch flat, non CCS), so don’t think that these will replace all of the other pads you have. The only way to find out if you’ll like them, is to place an order and try them out for yourself.

JuneBug · 11-06-09, 09:31

Thanks Rick - good info to know!

RickRack · 11-06-09, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Thanks Rick - good info to know!

Any time!

Accumulator · 11-06-09, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogi094

.. is the tangerine too much for M205 for finishing?

Assuming the tangerine is as similar to the Griot's orange as it's supposed to be, it oughta finish out great on all but the softest paints despite its ability to do correction and its firm feel.

The Griot's orange works great for me with M205 via Flex 3401, but the finish can, IME, be improved upon slightly by using the same pad with something like Menzerna 106.

I gotta get a tangerine pad one of these days and do a side-by-side with the Griot's...