DAS versus SFX machine polishing kits

mandrake50 · 03-14-07, 06:58

I guess I am a bit confused. In checking the online catalog I see two different Porter Cable kits offered that interest me. One is the DAS kit and the other the SFX.In reviewing the details of what the kits contain, they look very similar. The do have some different pads and the SFX is $10 more. I started to try to read the discriptions for each of the pads included, but that did not tell me much.

Can you David or any member tell what the differences are and why I would buy one over the other? I would like to get a machine polisher, but hate to buy something only to find out that I could have made a better selection.

As an aside, several days ago I asked this question via email and left voicemail but have not gotten any response. I asked another question in a seperate email about applying the Klasse glaze and got an almost immedite response (thanks for that).

Is there some better way to get answers (I have a bunch of them as I am real new to this)?

Phil P.

Coupe · 03-14-07, 07:01

DAS 7" pads
SFX 6" pads

Thats really about it.
IMO SFX is better becuase of the size of the pads.

mandrake50 · 03-14-07, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

DAS 7" pads
SFX 6" pads

Thats really about it.
IMO SFX is better becuase of the size of the pads.

Just out of curiousity, why would you like the 6" pads better than the 7" pads?

Phil P.

Coupe · 03-14-07, 07:07

If using a PC the 6" pads wont bog down the machine as bad/much as the 6.5" or bigger pads.

lbls1 · 03-14-07, 08:42

I've used both pad kits. Other than the size (which I actually had not noticed), both kits are identical to each other. I had problems with the orange pad (both kits) separating. Hopefully they would've improved that pad for this year.

TheFiveO · 03-14-07, 09:16

Mandrake,
I have both kits as well so hopefully I have an educated response for you. The DAS pads are made from a softer foam than the SFX pads. I guess you could say that the DAS are like the baby step/learning pads. Not that a PC generates much heat, but, the DAS pads disperse the heat better than then SFX thereby insuring that you won't harm the paint at all. The SFX pads, being a bit stiffer, will generate a bit more heat but not so much that I would worry about it.
The SFX pads are also uniquely matched to the SFX series of polishes. Not that you can't use the Sonus polishes with the DAS pads, I just feel that you get better results with the SFX pads.

Personally, I like the SFX pads a bit better since they seem to work on defects a tad bit quicker, but, either one you choose should serve your purpose well.

Feel free to hit me up with a PM if ya have other questions.

mandrake50 · 03-24-07, 05:27

Thanks everyon for the help on this.
I have still not bought anything. I am kind of on the fence. I ran into this deal:
Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer

It seems like a better deal, but I don't know anything about these pads either. I know I don't get the two year replacement warranty, but the pad selection seems better, and I doubt that I would wear the PC out in two years anyway.

What do you folks think?

Phil P.

lbls1 · 03-24-07, 07:43

Seems to be on the high side. If you can find a Loews near you, you might want to try picking up a pc there. They used to have specials on the PC for around 95 bucks. At any rate you don't want to spend more than 100-130 dollars for it, so shop around.

If you are not sure about the pads, then I would probably recommend that you look at Lake County's PC pads. I have used both the DAS and SFX pads (as mentioned above), and I did not notice a difference in performance between the two series (despite its claims). They were good pads, and the only issue I had with them was the premature separation of the orange pad on both series.

Good luck.

SVR · 03-25-07, 05:56

Although I cannot compare the SFX to the DAS. I really love the das. The orange pad and any 1000 to 1200 grit leveler will take out what an medium or heavy cutting pad can't
The DAS pads are much thicker and don't skip and work wonderfully well on unpainted and painted plastics like exterior trims and side mirror backings

Fortunately the DAS pads fit my edge backing plate for my 9227 rotary. Only just but never had a problem

mandrake50 · 03-25-07, 07:13

[quote=lbls1]Seems to be on the high side. If you can find a Loews near you, you might want to try picking up a pc there. They used to have specials on the PC for around 95 bucks. At any rate you don't want to spend more than 100-130 dollars for it, so shop around.
If you are not sure about the pads, then I would probably recommend that you look at Lake County's PC pads. QUOTE]

Did you look at the link I asked about?

Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer

The DAS kit from Autopia is $200.00 the SFX kit is $210.00. The AG kit is $197.00 with a bunch more pads. I am sure that the big difference between the Lowes PC and the three I am looking at are the cost of the pads. I guess that I could try to find a deal on the PC and then buy a pad kit, but it seems the savings on the pads in the kits, when buying the PC as well, may well outweigh the savings on the tool if bought alone form Lowes and then buying a pad kit (or individual pads that are quite pricey) later.

The AG kit also has some pad cleaner and conditioner, some MF towels and, again, a bunch more pads and an applicator. The pads are Lake County pads (except for the freebies (which are: 2 Wolfgang™ Low Profile 5.5 inch Orange Light Cutting Pads). So what am I missing here? Did you not tell me to look at the Lake County pads?

I just have no clue about what pads are good, nor what the differences are, say between the DAS, SFX, and the various Lake COunty pads offered from AG in the kit that is linked above. This is the kind of information that I am looking for. Even if I get a great deal on the PC, if I want to use it on my paint...I need pad info. I am just trying to learn here, so please cut me some slack...and try to tell me if anyone knows what these things are good, or better for than the others. The descriptions in the online data just don't tell this rank newbie enough to make a good decision!!

As a frame of reference. I have a new 2007 STI limited. The paint is new, and in very good shape. Initially I just want something to apply light polish and finish coats like the Klasse twins. For this application I think the machine may only be used a few times per year.

Down the road, I still need to figure out the differences in pads and what they should be used for. The descriptions on Autopia and AG don't tell me as much as I would like. I sure don't want to use the wrong damn pad for an application and screw up my nice new paint job!!!

Phil P.

lbls1 · 03-25-07, 07:35

I saw the link. The kit is advertised as 199.99, and they are offering several products to go with it. However, I think that you may be able to shop around a bit and get a better savings IMO.

If you feel that this kit will serve your purposes better, then go with your choice. At the end you will have to be satisfied with your purchase.

Some of the pad packages will have a variety of pad assortments. In essence you want the pads to be versatile with the PC, and you basically want 3 stages of aggressiveness: Cutting, Polishing and Finishing. Some kits may offer 4 pads, but you want to at least have pads that will do these three jobs. If the paint on your car is in good shape, where you feel that you may not necessarily need a very aggressive pad, then you probably will not require more than a polishing and finishing pad.

There are a lot of pad manufacturers out there, but IMO Lake County pad products are among the safest and most reliable on the market; Thus I felt safe in referring them to you.

I tend to be a little skeptical about "packages" as opposed to shopping for individual pieces, but that's my opinion. On the other hand, you can save as well if the deal has everything that you need. I am recommending that you shop the competition first, and compare products, features and prices b4 settling on what may seem to be a good package deal.

You can also (assuming that if you haven't seen the review section yet) look at some of the reviews on different pad manufacturers here on the board, in order to get a feel on some of the opinions with some of the brands on the market.