Anyone use 4 inch pads exclusively?

[wannafbody]

Are they the first choice for anyone? I haven`t used mine yet but I think they have a lot of potential uses-tight areas and corrective work.

[mc01ta]

i LOVE them. Best pad I`ve bought to use with the PC. Its speeds up everything and you can get some major correction with orange pads. I haven`t even had to step up to a yellow pad for scratches, etc. Its a cheap alternative to stepping up to a rotary/flex for correction. Until I can afford one of those, this is a great alternative. The pads cut everything in aleast half the time for correction.

[Accumulator]

Are they the first choice for anyone? I haven`t used mine yet but I think they have a lot of potential uses-tight areas and corrective work.



IF you mean *by PC*, and for correction, then yeah, that`s me! I only use larger pads on the PC for applying nonabrasive products. Well, except for on the JXS, what with its weird panel contours and soft lacquer.

[wannafbody]

I was referring to PC use but I`m itching to try them on my rotary as well.

[Accumulator]

I was referring to PC use but I`m itching to try them on my rotary as well.



I just can`t seem to get decent correction by PC with the larger pads, but the 4" ones are so aggressive I have to be a little careful (I *killed* the clear on the MPV in one spot with just 3M 05933 and a Cyclo polishing pad!).



I really like `em for spot-repairs via rotary. On the Audis it`s the hands-down best way to do RIDS, just *so* much quicker than the PC. But with 4" pads I`ve done some pretty surprising correction on the Audis via PC too, just took a while.

[Twista616]

ill usually use a 4" pad for the majority of the correction, then use a 5.5" pad for the finishing polish like 106ff...i use both rotary/UDM depending on car...

[imported_Detailing Technology]

no, I use them with a rotary in specific conditions only. I like them in tight areas, rocker panels, or panels with many creases.



To me a 6" was a tiny pad and a step up, I was using 8" pads since I was 16.

[cshorey]

I am using 4" exclusively on my PC for correction and large pads for LSP`s.



chris

[imported_DetailDan]

Right now I like 4" pads no matter what the machine is for correction, then 5.5" CCS blue for finishing.

[Radicalrev]

so the smaller the pad, the more cutting power it has?

[Twista616]

so the smaller the pad, the more cutting power it has?



You got it!! Since the 4" pad is smaller in diameter, it has less surface friction than a 5.5 or 6.5 pad...right? The 4" pad spins much faster, creating more heat, so its cuts the clear coat much faster...with a PC/UDM, 4" pads are amazing for correction, on a rotary, a 5.5 pad does wonders...thats just from my experience and I`m sure others will agree...4" pads are must have in your aresenal!

[Marj]

So, where do you guys purchase your 4" backing plate and pads/

Thanks

[imported_Blake]

I know AutoGeek has the pads and plates. Do you need a different Counterbalance for your PC?

[Accumulator]

Do you need a different Counterbalance for your PC?



No. I use the 6" counterweight and it works fine. Note that even a 4" pad (let alone one that`s wet with product) weights a lot more than a single sheet of sandpaper, and that`s what the counterweights were originally matched to.




Since the 4" pad is smaller in diameter, it has less surface friction than a 5.5 or 6.5 pad...right?



Yep. The bigest difference IMO/IME is that you can apply more pressure without the PC bogging down and the effort behind the pad is (more highly) concentrated on a smaller area.

[Marj]

I know AutoGeek has the pads and plates. Do you need a different Counterbalance for your PC?

I really don`t know. When I got the PC years ago, I unpacked it and just put on the backing plate and went to work. I have read about people and the counterweights but have never found a reason to use one, so I don`t know if I needed one or not.