Well I'm having trouble with the digital camera(the memory card actually, as the other card works fine, but it's used for non detailing pictures) so unfortunately this review is going to suffer from a lack of pictures.
I tested the following pads on both the rotary and pc(where applicable).
Standard edge 2000 8" pads, orange, yellow, green, blue
Standard edge 2000 6" pads, yellow, green, blue
Waffle edge 2000 6" pads, yellow, green, blue
Waffle edge 2000 8" pads, white
Originally I had planned to have a lot of action shots, and before and afters, and a couple of comparison shots with competitors pads, unfortunately, that's not going to happen, so this review will be a lot shorter than originally intended. So instead, I will just post some opinions and observations the edge 2000 pads.
Let me preface this review with this little tidbit. My first experience with the edge 2000 system was when the first da adapter and 6" pads were released. The adapter was too long and caused excessive vibration. The adhesive was also very poor and delaminated after a few short washes. At the time, I had not really cared about getting a replacement as I had plenty of hook and loop pads.
Fast forward to a couple of months ago when the newest PC adapter for the edge pads came out. I was intrigued and called Aaron about possibly getting an adapter even though I no longer had my original. I explained my previous experience with the edge 2000 system and Aaron quickly got out an adapter to me. I shortly ordered some pads and got to work.
Porter Cable
I can definately say that this is best system on the market, not only for the pc but for the rotary as well(more on the rotary later). The combination of the adapter and 2 sided pad is lighter than the standard backing plate+pad combination. The pad sits closer to the head of the machine, and is always center. I use a 6" counterweight, and have never used the 5" counterweight, but the vibrations transmitted through the porter cable with the edge 2000 system are significantly reduced to the point that the bone rattling vibrations are less than the standard hook and loop system. You can also apply a bit more pressure before the PC starts to bog down down as well. You also have an added benefit about not having to worry about melting backing plates, or failing velcro, etc. Also, the foam themselves are topnotch, though I prefer the standard rotary foam above anything else(the standard 6" green and yellow foams are durofoam and a bit stiff, when I later used the waffle 6" pads, I much prefered their texture, even on the PC).
Rotary
With the rotary, I am using the standard adapter, not the new shorter one. The rotary is a whole new ball game. I never knew what a difference PERFECTLY centering your pads could make not only on the balance of the machine, but on the quality of your finish as well. Changing pads is quick and easy, and the machine "feels" better, but polishing is so much easier now as I can finish perfectly with the rotary with products that I used to have to follow up with the PC with.
Waffle vs. Flat pads
With the porter cable, I found that I much prefered the flat pads. For seem reason the waffle pads created some "resistance" when polishing. I only use the PC for finishing and/or waxing.
With the rotary, I didn't notice a difference with either the flat or waffle pads, though I slightly prefer the waffle texture.
[b]General Foam[b]
In general, all of the foams offered are high quality, and pretty much standard to everything else in the industry as far as cut/polish ability goes.
Exceptions
There are two notable exceptions however, the white ultrafine, and the orange eurofoam. I've never been a fan of the orange "power pad" type foams, but picked up an orange pad anyways because I was doing some pad/polish combination testings for someone else. I had a discussion with Aaron about this particular foam, and it seems the three of us(Aaron, myself, and the person I was doing the testing for) were in agreement with the pad. it is an EXCELLENT cutting pad that produces very little extra marring. I find it to be a very good alternative to wool when cutting out wet sanding marks when the appropriate compound is used, and it won't leave the wool shedding or deep cuts that wool pads can sometimes leave. The white pad is another great product. I was originally having problems finishing with the blue pad and a rotary with a certain polish, even though if I switched polishes I could get a perfect finish. I discussed this with Aaron, and for the second time, he sent me something free of charge the alleviate my problems. Problem solved. The white pad is without a doubt the finest finishing pad I have ever used, and I have used a lot(lake country black and blue, sm arnold black/grey, buff and shine black and white,
meg's tan pad, etc.) Only the most inexperienced operator(or EXTREMELY soft paints) would not be able to get a perfect finish with the rotary and awhite pad with an appropriate polish.
Thoughts
The next thing on my list to try is the new short rotary adapter, as well as some of the edge wool pads. Hopefully I'll be testing a new pad for Aaron, something I know a lot of people have been asking for, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Finally, I'd like it to be known that with exception to the PC adapter and the white 8" waffle pad, I bought everything else with my own money. I posted up this review because I am extremely happy with my edge products, and just wanted to share the joy
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