Pad Tear

RedVolvo · 07-14-05, 10:48

Hello,

I'm currently using a PC 7335 with a 6" backing plate and 6" LCM pads. I'm literally tearing through the 6" white pad and have already damaged the 6" yellow pad. As I use DACP on the car, I see blue bits and pieces flinging from the pads.

I read some threads today and found out I'm using the wrong size backing plate for the 6" pads. I only run into problems with the white and yellow pads though. The black and red pads aren't being damaged I think because I'm running the PC at lower speeds with them.

So for the next time I detail the car, I was wondering if it would be best to just buy yellow and white 7" LCM pads or buy a 5" backing and 6" yellow and white pads to compensate for the ones I damaged.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated ;-)

Rollman · 07-14-05, 12:32

I think you may be better off buying a 5" backing plate . The 7" pads might be to hard on your PC's bearings , I'm sure they would work but you may do long term damage to your machine. It's always a good idea to size down on the backing plates so the edge of plate won't damage the paint . A 5" plate with 6 " pads leaves you with an inch cushion all around .

RedVolvo · 07-14-05, 06:33

Thanks Rollman!

I'll order the flexible 5" backing plate from properautocare.com. I've destroyed the yellow cutting pad. Do you think it would be best to buy another yellow or go for the orange pad?

Rollman · 07-15-05, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedVolvo

Thanks Rollman!

I'll order the flexible 5" backing plate from properautocare.com. I've destroyed the yellow cutting pad. Do you think it would be best to buy another yellow or go for the orange pad?

I'm not very familiar with LC pads and how their colors go . A good way for you to decide is to take into account what kind of paint corrections you may come across in your detailing. If your doing a lot of heavy swirls correction then get an aggressive pad, if your not then pick which ever is the least aggressive of the 2 . Something to remember is you can always use a more aggressive polish if you don't have the other pad. As you can see there's many options open to you . Good luck

a.k.a. Patrick · 07-15-05, 01:33

Always insure your backing material on the pad exceeds a good distance beyond the plate. This is an all too familiar thread on Autopia, and a lot of good pad manufacturers (LC, Sonus) get a bad rap for what really is misuse by the consumer. Normally what happens is either the stiff backing material, or backing plate dig into the foam. Another misuse is using the edge of the pad to buff with. Always keep the pad flat when buffing/polishing. Its not a rotary folks !!
Once you are comfortable with PC use, you can lower that margin, and narrow the backing vs. plate distance. I use a 6" plate with 6.25 in. of backing, and have never torn a pad......