Harbor Freight 6" DA

A little off topic, but a question...I have an older PC (non XP) and was wondering if newer DA's like the GG6 and G110 (the most current versions) are smoother running at high speeds?



I like my PC (I only use it on my cars), but it does vibrate my hands a good bit. More power and cut would be great, but I'm most interested in a smoother, more enjoyable-to-use machine. If so, I would likely use it more often. TIA
 
Rob--I have a GG6 which I run with 5.5" pads--it does vibrate, but doesn't seem to bother me after a full day of polishing. If you want something that everyone says is a pleasure to use look at the Rupes--especially the 5" model.
 
pwaug said:
Rob--I have a GG6 which I run with 5.5" pads--it does vibrate, but doesn't seem to bother me after a full day of polishing. If you want something that everyone says is a pleasure to use look at the Rupes--especially the 5" model.
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Thanks. Both the Rupes and Flex are sweet machines, but I don't want to spend that kind of money because I'm not a professional detailer. I like buying high quality stuff when I can, but I just don't use the buffer enough to warrant a $350 machine.
 
So the general consensus is that the HF foam pads do not quite fit the 6" backing plate that comes with the machine. So how would the pads fit on to a 5" backing plate? At $4 a pop I would like to find a way to use them.
 
baseball07 said:
So the general consensus is that the HF foam pads do not quite fit the 6" backing plate that comes with the machine. So how would the pads fit on to a 5" backing plate? At $4 a pop I would like to find a way to use them.
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Measure the Velcro on the HF pads--most 5" backing plates are a little smaller than 5"--you want the backing plate to be almost the exact size of Velcro on the pad or a tad smaller. BTW--you can get a 5" good quality backing plate for $15 and great quality 5.5" pads that last a long time for $5.60 each with free shipping so not a big jump from the HF pads.
 
Thanks I am going to place an order. This is my first detailing job, and I plan on getting Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. So if I were to buy 5 Buff and Shine Pads, I am thinking 2 orange for UC 2 green polishing pads for the UP. Then I thought maybe a yellow if I needed anything more agressive for some areas then finish with wax by hand. Is this ok for a full detail? I figure 2 pads for each product is ok.
 
baseball07 said:
Thanks I am going to place an order. This is my first detailing job, and I plan on getting Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. So if I were to buy 5 Buff and Shine Pads, I am thinking 2 orange for UC 2 green polishing pads for the UP. Then I thought maybe a yellow if I needed anything more agressive for some areas then finish with wax by hand. Is this ok for a full detail? I figure 2 pads for each product is ok.
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It's hard to have enough pads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You need at least 4 pads per step--so 4 orange, 4 green, then get the one yellow if you want and get a red to apply your LSP. Across all the forums when you hear of those new to machine polishing having difficulty to usually ends up being they tried to do the entire car with 2 pads per step. Even if you clean your pads on the fly with a brush and towel, they will eventually become saturated with product and paint so they lose their effectiveness. Also, they can get overheated and separate from the Velcro.



BTW--UC and UP are fine product to start with, but have you considered HD UNO instead of the UC and UP?? It might help keep things simple for your first machine polishing--just one product to correct and to finish down with. 3D International, LLC :: Polishes & Compounds :: HD Uno - Advanced Cut Very user friendly with a long working time, no dust and easy to remove since it doesn't leave behind heavy oils like UC and UP.
 
baseball07 said:
Thanks I am going to place an order. This is my first detailing job, and I plan on getting Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. So if I were to buy 5 Buff and Shine Pads, I am thinking 2 orange for UC 2 green polishing pads for the UP. Then I thought maybe a yellow if I needed anything more agressive for some areas then finish with wax by hand. Is this ok for a full detail? I figure 2 pads for each product is ok.
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at least a minimum of three...
 
BigAl3 said:
at least a minimum of three...
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Depends how you're cleaning your pads, and how aggressively you're compounding. If you are doing heavy cutting then I'd agree, you need several pads especially if you can't deep-clean them on the fly (e.g. Grit Guard pad washer), but for lighter polishing I can get away with 2 pads per step per car, sometimes even a single pad if I'm just polishing to bump up a little gloss and "correction" isn't needed.



As long as you're taking steps to work clean and unload the paint residue and excess buffing liquid from the pad(s) I find it's possible to push them pretty far before swapping.
 
Since this is the baseball07's first machine polishing experience and he will be using UC and UP I thought it might be better for him to have more pads than less. Does this make sense???
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Depends how you're cleaning your pads, and how aggressively you're compounding. If you are doing heavy cutting then I'd agree, you need several pads especially if you can't deep-clean them on the fly (e.g. Grit Guard pad washer), but for lighter polishing I can get away with 2 pads per step per car, sometimes even a single pad if I'm just polishing to bump up a little gloss and "correction" isn't needed.



As long as you're taking steps to work clean and unload the paint residue and excess buffing liquid from the pad(s) I find it's possible to push them pretty far before swapping.
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you know what they say Charles.. there are two things you can never have enough of, and that is pads and microfiber towels :) . sooner or later you will need more (some who are new to paint polishing may over use product and saturate the pad). i try to have at least three available for worst case scenerio...



p.s. how are you doing these days charles? hope all is well...
 
I think Charles is speaking in terms of 'minimizing spending' worst come to worst if baseball choose to give up on the job, it's easy to get discouraged after the first polishing job, deeper rids,sanding marks,beginning clearcoat failure that looks like a haze are among things UC and UP with orange pad cant solve...Besides new kind of pads are coming out so soon nowadays, maybe tempted to get the newer kinds :)
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Depends how you're cleaning your pads, and how aggressively you're compounding. If you are doing heavy cutting then I'd agree, you need several pads especially if you can't deep-clean them on the fly (e.g. Grit Guard pad washer), but for lighter polishing I can get away with 2 pads per step per car, sometimes even a single pad if I'm just polishing to bump up a little gloss and "correction" isn't needed.



As long as you're taking steps to work clean and unload the paint residue and excess buffing liquid from the pad(s) I find it's possible to push them pretty far before swapping.
Click to expand...



you know what they say Charles.. there are two things you can never have enough of, and that is pads and microfiber towels :) . sooner or later you will need more (some who are new to paint polishing may over use product and saturate pads). i try to have at least three available for worst case scenerio. i do see what you're saying though...



p.s. how are you doing these days charles? hope all is well...
 
Thanks for all the help. Yes I was considering HD Uno also, but considering the price of both UC and UP was why I was going to start working with them. Where does it fall in terms of cut? I assume it is less than UC, but how much less?
 
pwaug said:
Since this is the baseball07's first machine polishing experience and he will be using UC and UP I thought it might be better for him to have more pads than less. Does this make sense???
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sulla said:
I think Charles is speaking in terms of 'minimizing spending' worst come to worst if baseball choose to give up on the job, it's easy to get discouraged after the first polishing job, deeper rids,sanding marks,beginning clearcoat failure that looks like a haze are among things UC and UP with orange pad cant solve...Besides new kind of pads are coming out so soon nowadays, maybe tempted to get the newer kinds :)
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Correct Sulla; I was just breaking it down to the bare minimum for someone looking to get a job done on a tight budget.



BigAl3 said:
you know what they say Charles.. there are two things you can never have enough of, and that is pads and microfiber towels :) . sooner or later you will need more (some who are new to paint polishing may over use product and saturate pads). i try to have at least three available for worst case scenerio. i do see what you're saying though...



p.s. how are you doing these days charles? hope all is well...
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All too true, Al; if the budget allows it's always a good idea to have some spares in stock.



I'm doing well, thanks for asking. Keeping busy and always looking for new opportunities.
 
So for either the UC/UP combo or HD Uno, I am going to go with 3 orange and 2 green buff and shine pads, then seal by hand with foam applicators. How does this sound for a first car job?
 
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