View Full Version : 4 inch pads
Do people here use 4 inch pads for the whole vehicle or are they too small? Would I need some 5.5, i`ve been using 6.5 but i`m not having much luck getting rid of swirls.
Holden_C04
05-25-2008, 11:01 PM
Entire vehicle was polished with 4 inch pads.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/Holden_Caulfield04/05BM330ZHP017.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/Holden_Caulfield04/05BM330ZHP016.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/Holden_Caulfield04/05BM330ZHP004.jpg
Complete detail: http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/106895-apollo-detailing-full-correction-imola-red-05-bmw-330ci-zhp.html
imported_wagonproject
05-25-2008, 11:40 PM
I just did my first vehicle today with the UDM. I got it with both 6.5 and 4 inch pads. I really did not like the 6.5, seemed to big to work with and not being able to work well. I wish I would have gotten 2 or 3 of each of the 4 inch pads.
wannafbody
05-26-2008, 08:24 AM
I think 4 inch pads are great for compounding and tight areas. I think a 5 or 5.5 inch pad is a better choice for an entire vehicle.
imported_Chris223
05-26-2008, 08:25 PM
I prefer using 6.5" pads for finishing. Smaller for polishing.
BigJimZ28
05-26-2008, 08:31 PM
if the paint is hard and you need 4" pads to correct the paint
then use 4" pads
the whole car, part of the car, what ever
rebelde33
05-26-2008, 10:15 PM
I have 5.5" for paint correction and 6.5" for polishing/waxing. You could use 4" pads but it would take longer.
imported_DetailDan
05-26-2008, 10:38 PM
There is no right or wrong when it comes to pad size. Its whatever you feel most comfortable with.
bamorris2
05-27-2008, 01:41 PM
I`ll throw my .02 in... For the past few years, I`ve used nothing but Meguiar`s 6.5 pads. But the last time I was at the local detail supply store, they had the Edge adapters, along with some 4" Cyclo pads. So I picked up the adapter and some green and white pads.
My PC has never operated smoother! It is really a night & day difference in how little the PC vibrates now with the 4" pads. And it`s also much easier to control when working on the paint. With the 6.5 pads, it sometimes had a mind of its own, and wanted to go where I didn`t want it to go. But I`m able to control it much more with the 4" pads.
So for me, even if it takes a few extra minutes, I`m sticking with the 4" for everything.
BigJimZ28
05-29-2008, 09:11 PM
I have 5.5" for paint correction and 6.5" for polishing/waxing. You could use 4" pads but it would take longer.
IMO it could be faster
if it take two passes to correct the swirls with the 4" pads vs three passes with a larger pad
TTWAGN
05-29-2008, 09:31 PM
It really shows how limited the PC buffers are when you have to go with 4inch pads to give extra cut for the hard clearcoats.
Holden_C04
05-29-2008, 09:34 PM
Been using 4" pads with the PC for ages. Can`t wait `til the Flex rotary arrives with 6.5" CCS pads. :)
rebelde33
05-29-2008, 10:06 PM
It really shows how limited the PC buffers are when you have to go with 4inch pads to give extra cut for the hard clearcoats.
Yes, but it`s possible nonetheless.
Raz5219
05-30-2008, 08:22 AM
Yup, I prefer using 4" pads wih the PC than the bigger pads. The PC works much smoother and is easier to control with the smaller pads. You also get more cut since more heat is generated with the smaller pads. It doesn`t take too much longer either.
IMO, a 6" pad is way too big to use on a PC. They don`t like to stay on at full speed and warp like crazy. I use LC CCS pads btw.
imported_Detailing Technology
05-30-2008, 08:52 AM
I use 4" on the rotary pretty regularly. But you need quite a few of them to work quickly.
I just got back into large pads (7.5") for the rotary to correct bulk surface areas (roof, trunk, hood, large doors and tailgates), then I move to the 4" pads for the details. I use 5.5 on the PC.