Suggestions for first pads

CutNAction said:
Yea I saw that as well. What exactly is the purpose of the orange pad..im a bit confused?.......
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More bite than the green, but not as aggressive as the yellow. I really like orange pads because they aren't as apt to produce as much (if any) hazing as a yellow pad. There are times when the yellow may be needed, but I try to get by with an orange if possible. Just my personal preference and YMMV
 
Ahhh Patrick you really gotta stop fooling me with all these colored pads!!! haha



Thanks Eliot I gotcha now. I need to order 1 or 2 of them then. I found the green worked very nicely with SSR 1. Have you had any experience with that combo?



Also Im wondering what Patrick has up his sleeve for these upcoming new and innovative products...he wont give me any hints:)
 
Eliot Ness said:
You can order a good set of pads and backing plate from Excel Detail. Start with the kit that CutNAction has a link to:



http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=&pd=97914&pg=14145



Then add something like two green pads (polishing), a yellow pad (med cut), and an orange (light cut/polishing) pad. All seven pads and backing plate will only run about $60, but youâ€â„¢ll have a nice range of pads to use and an extra one of most if you switch to a different product during a detail. Between the kit and the extra pads you'll have:

1- Yellow Medium Cutting pad

1- Orange (light cut/polish) pad

2- Green polish pads

2- Blue Light Polishing pads

1- Gray finishing pads

1- 5" Backing Plate



You can adjust the number of pads depending of the products you're going to use, but you won't beat $60 for a pad kit like that!



BTW, CutNAction has provided some good links!
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I think I'm going with something similar to this.



1- Black Finishing Pad

2- Blue Light Polishing Pads

1- Green Light Cut Pad

1- Orange Pad

1- Yellow Medium Cut Pad



Another question, are pad colors the same from company to company? Like, will Yellow always be a medium cut pad, or a cutting pad at least?



For process, something like:



1Z PP with green pad to start, if that doesnt work move to the UPP, if that doesn't work then move to a yellow pad? More or less working up in abrasiveness, so not to get any overkill.



For applying AIO, I should use something like a blue or black pad? And then I would apply SG by hand, for the thin coats.



That all sound pretty good, in theory at least? Think I should order more of any pad, or is that enough since I only have a few products?



Also, does anyone have a cupon code or anything that I could use and save a couple bucks? The setup I have listed here is $65 :(
 
So companies follow the same colors, but some don't. You will just have to do your research before buying or using a new pad.



If 1Z PP/ green pad doesn't work, instead of going to 1Z UPP, I'd try PP with an orange pad. That would be between PP/green and UPP/green.



I like AIO with the blue pad. If you are just doing a maintenace wash and want it to have a little more *bite* then go with the green pad, but if it's part of a multi step polish, I like the blue pad



I also recommend getting one more green pad since this is going to be your workhorse pad. Most of your polishing will be done with this one, and paint defect removal will be with the orange and yellow pads but you shouldn't need them that often.
 
No they are not the same color which confuses a lot of people.



I would say email Patrick directly as he may be able to get a package together for you and either save you so money or hook you up with something. I cant promise you, but Patrick is an awesome guy and very helpful



Your whole process sounds good. I think you would use AIO with a blue pad. If I were you, I would buy 2 Greens and 1 Blue. Thats my opinion though just from using these pads.
 
I think I'll give him an email and see what he has to say.



Thanks for the heads up on that pad/polish combo not working.



Maybe I will add another green, the 2 blue come with the 'kit', so thats that. :p



Should I maybe get another couple pads with more "cut?" or "bite?" (Not sure on the right term). I'm not sure because I only have a couple products at the time, but plan on doing a few cars (lots of swirl removal).
 
Haha its getting pretty overwhelming isnt it UnsanePyro? lol



I would definitely say get some more green, as far as the yellow and orange 1 of each should be suffice.



I was using his pads before the green/yellow/orange even came out and I used blue for everything. Well it worked, but once the green came out I was stuck on it.



I really think the green ones should be suffice enough for most swirls. The orange and yellow should be for very neglected and even then it depends on what product you are using. You can also use a more abrasive product with the green.
 
So really, I don't need the orange/yellow? Most of what I am working on is just swirled, nothing really scratched/chipped or the like. Or should I pick up one of each just in case?



I think the biggest reason it seems so overwhelming is because i don't have a real feel for how much cut each pad has or anything. I'll find out soon enough though...
 
UnsanePyro said:
Should I maybe get another couple pads with more "cut?" or "bite?" (Not sure on the right term). I'm not sure because I only have a couple products at the time, but plan on doing a few cars (lots of swirl removal).
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1 yellow, 1 orange, 2 green, 2 blue (comes with kit), and 1 or 2 grey (depends on how many waxes/sealants you may use at one time.... anyway one comes in the kit). That's a good start on pads, and as CutNAction said, the green will be your "go-to" pad (the more the better). As you get a feel for the pads and your product usage you can order more of the pads you use the most if needed.



Colors.....lol.... don't get me started on that. It used to be so simple but not so much anymore. It really depends on the manufacturer and vendor. The best bet is to find a line of pads you like and become familiar with them. As a GENERAL rule if you see mention of a yellow pad it is for cutting, an orange pad is for light cut/polish, and a white pad is for polishing (this = Excel and Sonus DAS green). Grey or black are usually finish pads. LC has some added colors depending on the pad size and vendor, but it would be more confusing if I tried to list them all. The Meg's pads use a different color scheme also. If anyone is really interested PM me and Iâ€â„¢ll e-mail you my list of pads by manufacturer, vendor, and size.
 
Eliot Ness- One more P.C. newby here. I have used Patrics MF

in the past and am impressed with the quality not to mention his customer service is tops. I'm now diving into the the world of PC's.

My son and I both have new rides of about 3-4 months old. The first go around I think I will be using clay, Meguires Deep Crystal #1 (cleaner) and then Deep crystal #2 polish topped with

NXT tech wax. From what I read- these products are pretty user friendly and available just about anywhere. Having such fresh paint with few contaminates hopefuly we will not require much "cutting". So- would you please reccomend the color pad

required for each product application and removal.



Best regards

Snafu
 
Ive never used any of those products, but if they are the products you want to go with I would say use the blue polishing for both. Then the grey for wax or as I do..by hand.
 
Sweet, I just ordered my PC with 5" and 6" counter weights and 6" hook & loop contour pad for $125 shipped, to be here Monday most likely.



Also, I went with:



1- Yellow Medium Cutting pad

1- Orange (light cut/polish) pad

2- Green polish pads

2- Blue Light Polishing pads

1- Gray finishing pads

1- 5" Backing Plate



from Exceldetail shipped for $75, just need to get the money order and get it sent out (no paypal for me :().



For $200, I think I made out pretty well :D
 
I can't wait to try it out, my friend has a 89 Maxima that he just picked up, that is scratched to hell, there is no reflection on it at all, I want to try and see what I can do with it, I just hope I don't ruin any pads :( If I think I will, I'll just have him buy the pads, and do the rest on me.
 
UnsanePyro said:
For $200, I think I made out pretty well :D
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You did very well! Good choice in pads too ;) .



From a recent order I now have all the Propel pads that Patrick sells and I have not been disappointed with the quality, nor the service that Patrick provides. Of course I could say that about all the vendor's I've dealt with for detailing supplies, all are top-notch folks who provide great service.
 
Hey Snafu, Megs deep crystal #2 polish isnt abrasive. It is tricky because everyone here assumes polish to be either chemically or mechanicly abrasive.



The #1 cleaner is more of a polish as far as i am concerned. #2 is kinda more like #7 glaze. NXT provides a very nice looking finish and gets better with 2 coats. I dont think you should bother with the #2.
 
Eliot Ness said:
You did very well! Good choice in pads too ;) .



From a recent order I now have all the Propel pads that Patrick sells and I have not been disappointed with the quality, nor the service that Patrick provides. Of course I could say that about all the vendor's I've dealt with for detailing supplies, all are top-notch folks who provide great service.
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No kidding. I tell you every detailing vendor I have dealt with is awesome. Ive never had one mishap that wasnt taken care of immediately. I will vouch for Patrick since I have dealt with him a few times. Awesome guy to deal with, top notch quality, and unlike huge vendors he can get to your questions very quickly!
 
CutNAction said:
No kidding. I tell you every detailing vendor I have dealt with is awesome. Ive never had one mishap that wasnt taken care of immediately.
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That is one thing that I have noticed, even though I have only been in detailing a short time, everyone from the guys around here to the vendors are all pretty nice, and go out of there way to help. It's not like a standard car forum with the typicall drama and arguments.
 
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