Opinions greatly appreciated

[IAFF78]

Good afternoon everyone!

I was a detailer for 3 years before i changed my profession and became a career firefighter. Over those 3 years I was spoiled with the tools my boss provided me. I wouldnt give up my job to go back into the business(no offense) but I`ve been getting the itch to build up my own little arsenal of tools to do the famliy vehicles. Right now I`m focusing on buying a DA poilsher. For the price and the great reviews I`m set on a griots DA polisher.

My dilema right now is which type/brand pads to buy for it. I see all these differenet "cross cut, waffle cut etc" style of pads and am not sure which is best for a amateur like myself. Also, which cuts of pads would be good to start. Both vehicles have minor surface scratches and blemishes that i would like to tackle. I was trained on a dewalt rotary and even got proficient in wet sanding and buffing. So im confident in my skills but am not sure what to buy because these new styles are all new to me. I figured I would need 4-6 assorted pads. Which ones is the question. Do i go with the high cut, light cut and two different finishing pads? This is where i`m confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Ronkh]

Since I only have experience with LC pads you may want to wait for others to chime in as well..................

My "start" color/quantity is listed below

1-2 orange
2-3 white 2-3 black
2-3 red

This gives you some good cut, intermeadiate and finishing pads to work with

[Merlin]

I prefer using a DA with a 5" backing plate, whether it`s Megs G110, PC7424xp or GG 6".
I`d probably suggest getting you started with a 6 pack of Lake Country 5.5" Flat Pads.

Starter "kit"
1) Dual Action Flexible 5 inch Backing Plate
1) Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - You Pick!
2] Orange 2] White 1] Grey 1] Blue

Another Item that is new would be the Meguiars microfiber discs

There is also recent technology improvements in multiple polishes.
Megs M105 and M205 have been the go-to polish twins for a while.
Meguiars recently released M101 in the US and I prefer it over M105

Don`t even get me started with all the new waxes, sealants and coatings...

[RaskyR1]

I would look into getting the Rupes if you can swing the price tag, otherwise the Groits GG6 and the G110v2 are both good options. As far as pads go I`d say don`t get caught up in the facy cut pads. Some will offer more user comfort/feel to them, but the best results IME come from the flat foam pads. You`ll also want to look into the MF pads for cutting as I rarely use foam to cut with now days.

My most used pads

• Megs MF pads for cutting
• LC polishing and/or finishing pads (LC traditional; White, Black, blue & LC Hydo; tangerine, crimson)

[IAFF78]

Thanks for all the quick responses.

About megs for a second. When i detailed, the shop used Malco products exclusively and i really liked their products. Now, since I dont have anyone on the inside, I have gone with meguiars. Last week, I did my wifes 2012 honda CRV which is black. After i washed it and clayed it, I applied the Ultimate polish per directions. I was working inside a garage with just shop light and the car`s body was 70 degrees or so. I paid hell getting the polish off. It left streaks on the finish which only came off after i applied the gold class wax. It didnt do it to the whole car, just in certain areas on each body panel. Ive never seen that reaction before. It reminded me of someone putting wax on a vehicle when its too humid out. Is this common for this product because ive never seen that happen before.

Thanks again,
Kevin

[skibik]

I can`t comment on pads as I have only used Griot`s orange pads for polishing and their red ones for waxing and they do what I need them to.

I have also used Meg`s Ultimate polish and what I did was when I got done with each panel or section I had a bottle of Griot`s pre-wax cleaner and lightly sprayed it on and wiped it off. I have not used an isopropyl alcohol solution but that should work also, I think. I picked a section or panel and as soon as I was done and laid the machine down I spritzed the area and wiped it off and never gave it a chance to dry.

Hope this helps.

Dean.

[Addicted2Bling]

I would stock up on a good all-in-one polish. Megs D151 is good, I like it because it leaves a quick shine on a car instead of having to go over it with polish, then go over it again with sealant. With this you can do it all in one step.

If you plan on polishing out in the sun, check out Poorboys. They make their products so they can be used in the heat.

[IAFF78]

I just noticed that LC makes foam wool pads. Anyone have any experience with using this pad or similar pads? Will these pads work well on a DA polisher? I have used all wool pads on a rotary before just never on a DA. Will they make a difference of just stick to the heavy cut foam pads or correction?

Thanks,
Kevin