I wanted to see what pads other Autopians are using with their rotary...idealy pads that don't splatter even when at high RPMs.
Being able to get a lot done quickly is important to me, though high rpms can sometimes translate into splatter. I hate splatter. I've had the best luck with the 6" Lake Country Constant Pressure Pads (actually 6.25 - 6.5") sold at Classic Moroting Accessories (properautocare.com) with which I can generally operate in the 1400-2000 rpm range without any splatter. I think the fact that these pads are cupped and only slightly bigger than the backing plate make it so the outer edges stay in contact with the surface and thus don't splatter. The drawback with the LC Constant Pressure 6" pads has been their durability, as the velcro sometimes separates and their foam starts to ball up after 15-20 uses. Acceptable though.
I find that when pads are made flat and are more than 3/4" bigger than the backing plate the edges tend to lift away from the polishing surface allowing the product to escape under high rpm. For me, the worst pads are the curved (old-school) style pads - these splatter like crazy unless you hold them on edge.
I also like the American Buffing pads (blue and white ones only) sold by Kevin Farrel at Kleen Car. The green and yellow ones are a little bigger in diameter and will sometimes splatter.
I've been wanting to try the Sonus SFX pads (hoping they are a tad bigger than 6"). Anyone else like these? I also want to try the Propel Pads sold at exceldetail, though I'm fearful that the 7" diameter will allow the edges to lift up under pressure (from the picture, they look almost identical to the American Buffing green pads sold at Kleen Car). Lastly, I've tried the Meguiars softbuff maroon cutting pad, but these also splatter like crazy because they are not flexible and don't stay flat on the pannel; I'm sure their softer "polishing" bads are better.
Being able to get a lot done quickly is important to me, though high rpms can sometimes translate into splatter. I hate splatter. I've had the best luck with the 6" Lake Country Constant Pressure Pads (actually 6.25 - 6.5") sold at Classic Moroting Accessories (properautocare.com) with which I can generally operate in the 1400-2000 rpm range without any splatter. I think the fact that these pads are cupped and only slightly bigger than the backing plate make it so the outer edges stay in contact with the surface and thus don't splatter. The drawback with the LC Constant Pressure 6" pads has been their durability, as the velcro sometimes separates and their foam starts to ball up after 15-20 uses. Acceptable though.
I find that when pads are made flat and are more than 3/4" bigger than the backing plate the edges tend to lift away from the polishing surface allowing the product to escape under high rpm. For me, the worst pads are the curved (old-school) style pads - these splatter like crazy unless you hold them on edge.
I also like the American Buffing pads (blue and white ones only) sold by Kevin Farrel at Kleen Car. The green and yellow ones are a little bigger in diameter and will sometimes splatter.
I've been wanting to try the Sonus SFX pads (hoping they are a tad bigger than 6"). Anyone else like these? I also want to try the Propel Pads sold at exceldetail, though I'm fearful that the 7" diameter will allow the edges to lift up under pressure (from the picture, they look almost identical to the American Buffing green pads sold at Kleen Car). Lastly, I've tried the Meguiars softbuff maroon cutting pad, but these also splatter like crazy because they are not flexible and don't stay flat on the pannel; I'm sure their softer "polishing" bads are better.