Could i get some input real quick (Buffer Pads)

**Mikek9965** · 04-30-2017, 02:20 PM

Hey Guys, quick question.

I just ordered the Rupes LHR15 MarkII Big Foot Random Orbital Perfetto Kit ($465.00)

its my 1st polisher. (i made a post awhile back about how i had the PC7424 but never worked) so figured ill go all out this time. Im still trying to learn everything with buffing. one thing im confused on is the pads. I know this kit includes 1 white and 1 blue.

Should i buy others that i will need? Also was there anything else i should look into for the buffer that ill need? just want to make sure so i can order it right now before my order goes out.

**Mike lambert** · 04-30-2017, 02:25 PM

If you are staying with a system approach I would get a few rupes yellow pads. If you want better performance and durability get a set of Griot`s pads.

**rlmccarty2000** · 04-30-2017, 02:45 PM

Depending on the condition of your car I would suggest 4-5 pads for compounding and 4-5 pads for finishing. The Rupes blue cuts the most and the white cuts the least or you could go with the one step UHS pads and polish. After saying that, I prefer to use a microfiber pad for cutting (faster/less sling) and follow with Rupes yellow with matching polish.

A test spot is the only way you can determine which pad/polish combo will work best for you. I would start with the Rupes system approach and then branch out after you have that under control. Mike Phillips has a book on the Rupes system approach that outlines all you need to know.

**The Guz** · 04-30-2017, 02:53 PM

Mike Phillips` book is good to have and a good read. Like Mike Phillips states, start with the Rupes as a system and then you can expand to other combinations later.

**WaxAddict** · 04-30-2017, 02:57 PM

The kit comes with two pads. Should you buy others? Experience will tell, but, let`s just say it`s not uncommon for your pad collection value to exceed that of your polisher. Eventually. So, the short answer is yes, you`ll need and want more pads, but those pads (and quantity of each) will vary depending on...

1 ... The level of correction you need to do (do you need some aggressive pads?)
2 ... The level of perfection you want to achieve (how fine and soft do you need your finishing pads to be?)
3 ... Your product usage habits (saturation is bad, drying out is bad)
4 ... Your pad cleaning habits "on-the-fly" (on-the-fly cleaning will allow you to extend one pad for a longer time per work session)
5 ... Your pad cleaning habits once you are done (you can keep pads for years, or toss them after the first use. No seriously, people do that)
6... Will you wax or apply sealant with pads?

**Mikek9965** · 04-30-2017, 03:03 PM

Ah i didnt even see the UHS set. I plan on practicing on my vehicles (ram1500 and MB glk350). My truck has never been buffed, the MB is new to us but dont think it has been either. Then living in the desert with all these sand storms. so pretty sure its gonna need a lot of love..haha. Glad you mentioned the micro-fiber pads. i was curious on how they were. Thanks for all the input!

Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000

Depending on the condition of your car I would suggest 4-5 pads for compounding and 4-5 pads for finishing. The Rupes blue cuts the most and the white cuts the least or you could go with the one step UHS pads and polish. After saying that, I prefer to use a microfiber pad for cutting (faster/less sling) and follow with Rupes yellow with matching polish.

A test spot is the only way you can determine which pad/polish combo will work best for you. I would start with the Rupes system approach and then branch out after you have that under control. Mike Phillips has a book on the Rupes system approach that outlines all you need to know.

**Civicclutch** · 04-30-2017, 03:34 PM

I did a vehicle once that went through 2-3 years of El Paso sand storms and it needed some major claying before any pads touched it due to imbedded sand particles

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**Mikek9965** · 04-30-2017, 03:48 PM

Haha, i live in NM but go to school in El paso. I also ordered the Ultima Elastrofoam Paint Cleaning System because of that. I picked up my Truck out here in Nov 2013 So its def going to need it.

Originally Posted by Civicclutch

I did a vehicle once that went through 2-3 years of El Paso sand storms and it needed some major claying before any pads touched it due to imbedded sand particles

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**JustJesus** · 05-03-2017, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by The Guz

Mike Phillips` book is good to have and a good read. Like Mike Phillips states, start with the Rupes as a system and then you can expand to other combinations later.

As are his other books. - Re: Rupes as a system, it`s good to *really* know the system before you start trying other combinations. Unless you don`t care and just start wandering around. Nothing wrong with that

Originally Posted by WaxAddict

Experience will tell, but, let`s just say it`s not uncommon for your pad collection value to exceed that of your polisher...

I know this too well. Earlier today I was looking to see when I had ordered some 3" Megs MF Finishing pads (apparently, I never did) but in going through my invoices, I noticed one of them was over 200$ in mostly pads. haha. I had no idea I had spent so much on pads.

**BudgetPlan1** · 05-03-2017, 05:27 PM

Tuff stuff = Megs microfiber cutting discs.

Intermediate to fine = Rupes yellow

Fine to ultrafine = Rupes white

Rupes yellow is a heck of a versatile pad.

Above is a reasonable starting point, I keep generally 6 of each pad for a vehicle.

Only been using Rupes LHR15 Mk 2 since January, have a bunch of non rupes pads as well but never really reached for them yet.

Tried the blue and UHS for a bit at first but the megs cutting discs w/ d300 was smoother and less messy than Rupes blue or UHS...likely due to lack of experience.