$220-$300 to spend, help me choose!

[PerroneFord]

FWIW, for *years* they only sold one type of pad for both my beloved Cyclo polisher and the Griot's machine polishing/waxing system. You'd be surprised how well those systems worked out with just one pad for everything.

Hence why I have mostly just polishing pads. I have a few for cutting, and a couple for LSP, but the no-cut or nearly no-cut is where I stock up. Just got 4 more today.



I am starting to build in consumables into my jobs. I have a tough Mustang to do this weekend so my quote included the cutting polishes and finishing polishes I needed. I really think that's the way to go. For your own personal arsenal, keep things as simple as possible.

 

[PerroneFord]

Yeah I would like a Flex but I'm not comfortable enough buying one with no experience. Maybe after I've been using a PC for a while I'll think about it. :nervous2:

Nothing to be afraid of. I didn't have the money or I'd surely have one. A no-cut pad and mild abrasives make the flex as meek as a lamb. Step up as necessary.

 

[RIDDLE]

its not necessary but having 2 WW to dry with is really nice

 

[Accumulator]

Hence why I have mostly just polishing pads..

Yeah, even polishing pads (as opposed to finishing pads) are often *functionally* near zero-cut when lubed with the product. I often use mild polishing pads with AIOs even though most people would use a finshing pad instead. I like the more open porosity of the polishing pads as opposed to the generally "tighter" nature of the finishing pads. But hey...that's just me and I got used to just using the one type of pads back when I was using the Cyclo and Griot's stuff.

 

[HappyWax]

If you have have to work out doors Menz can be SUPER picky (for lack of a better word) - I have both Menz and Poorboys (SSR1 & 2) and the Poorboys saved my rear yesterday when i had a detail outdoors-

 

[PerroneFord]

Which is why the current Autogeek BOGO on 16 oz. Poorboys SSR1/SSR2 combo for $12.99 is a STEAL. Got mine today! :xyxthumbs

 

[japjoe7]

AHHH...too many decisions. Let me clear a couple things up. The 3 vehicles that I will be working on DO need an cutting pad (orange), yes, they are really bad. But after that first paint correction on all of them I would assume I wont need them unless I work on another car. I also wanted to get a red pad to lay down some wax instead of doing it by hand. I totally understand where you are all coming from when you say you use more finishing pads than cutting. Maybe I'll just get 1 4" orange for those tight spots and 1 4" white for the finishing. If the Poorboy deal is still available I'll spurge a little more and get that $12.99 deal. I appreciate all the help guys!

 

[DM101]

The Flex is super easy to use. If you can use a PC you definitely can use a Flex.

Yeah I would like a Flex but I'm not comfortable enough buying one with no experience. Maybe after I've been using a PC for a while I'll think about it. :nervous2:

 

[Accumulator]

AHHH...too many decisions...

This is *exactly* what I was afraid of I know everybody has their opinions and faves and all, but it gets overwhelming, huh?

The 3 vehicles that I will be working on DO need an cutting pad (orange), yes, they are really bad.... Maybe I'll just get 1 4" orange for those tight spots and 1 4" white for the finishing...

Get more than one of each 4" pad. Those are what you'll do 90% of the work with, especially that orange one. Not just for tight spots, for *everything*. Larger pads just don't work as well.



You'll probably need them more often than you'd think until you get your wash regimen thoroughly sorted out, and that can take some doing.



Seriously..I can imagine you buying one 4" orange pad and having some kind of "oh [crap]!" incident where the pad becomes unusable and then you'd be out of luck.



Of course now that I've said that your first orange pad will probably last for years

 

[japjoe7]

This is *exactly* what I was afraid of I know everybody has their opinions and faves and all, but it gets overwhelming, huh?







Get more than one of each 4" pad. Those are what you'll do 90% of the work with, especially that orange one. Not just for tight spots, for *everything*. Larger pads just don't work as well.



You'll probably need them more often than you'd think until you get your wash regimen thoroughly sorted out, and that can take some doing.



Seriously..I can imagine you buying one 4" orange pad and having some kind of "oh [crap]!" incident where the pad becomes unusable and then you'd be out of luck.



Of course now that I've said that your first orange pad will probably last for years

LOL...yeah(overwhelmed) :think: Yeah, your right more than one 4" would be a good idea.



I've started my purchasing. Got my NIB PC 7424 on Ebay for $115 shipping. Now all I have to do is move onto pads and products. i thik I may start ordering that stuff tomorrow. :nervous2::nervous2:

 

[Accumulator]

... Got my NIB PC 7424 on Ebay for $115 shipping. Now all I have to do is move onto pads and products..

Remember that you'll need a little (~3.5") backing plate for use with the 4" pads. It's easy to overlook stuff like that...

 

[japjoe7]

Remember that you'll need a little (~3.5") backing plate for use with the 4" pads. It's easy to overlook stuff like that...

Yup, on the list. Thanks :xyxthumbs

 

[japjoe7]

So, this is what I order this past Friday and should start receiving this week.



Meguiar's M205 Ultra M20512 1 11.99

Finishing Polish

Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut M10512 1 9.99

New Version - DA Polisher

Approved

Yellow Grit Guard Insert GritGuardYellow 1 8.95

Subtotal 30.93

Shipping 9.95

Tax 0.00

Total 40.88





1 LC-43-125DA - 5'' D.A. Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Pl 16.99

1 COBRA-3000 - Cobra Microfiber Towel Multi Pack 29.99

2 LC-78-62550 - 5.5 inch White CCS Smart Pads DA Pro Foa 15.98

1 COBRA-WW2040 - 20x 40 Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave Tow 19.99

1 LC-78-24400-2 - 2 Qty CCS 4" Spot Buffs Orange Pads 9.99

1 LC-43-085DA - 3.5'' D.A. Hook & Loop Flexible Backing 12.99

2 LC-78-72550 - 5.5 inch Gray CCS Smart Pads DA Pro Foam 15.98

1 LC-78-12550 - 5.5 inch Red CCS Smart Pads DA Pro Foam 7.99

2 LC-78-22550 - 5.5 inch Orange CCS Smart Pads DA Pro Fo 15.98

1 memday09 - 15% Off Memorial Day -21.88

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub-Total: 124.00

Tax: 0.00

Shipping & Handling: 0.00

----------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL: 124.00













+ PC 7424 for $115





Thanks for all the help guys! I will post some pics of my first detail on my wife's '97 Jetta. I wasn't able to get everything I wanted but I'll buy more products as I get change in my pocket. :bounce

 

[PerroneFord]

Where the heck did you find those prices for 105/205???? I would have ordered some last week!

 

[japjoe7]

Where the heck did you find those prices for 105/205???? I would have ordered some last week!

Those are the 12oz. sample pack I got from Auto Detailing Solutions. :secret



ADS M205

&

ADS M105

 

[Envious Eric]

LC flat pads for future orders, I doubt you will find the CCS pads all that great on the PC, I know I didnt...

 

[japjoe7]

LC flat pads for future orders, I doubt you will find the CCS pads all that great on the PC, I know I didnt...

YEAH...that's what I really wanted but I couldn't find them in 5.5" Where can I get the flat pads in 5.5"? :sadpace:

 

[japjoe7]

Well here's what I have so far. I'm not much of a fan of the CCS pads or the 4" CCS pad. The CCS pads seem to hold the product longer and tend the leave residue if you don't move properly. The 4" pad make the PC shake like crazy so it's kinda hard to control, maybe I'm just doing something wrong. I did a test run on my wife's fender and I'm having a small problem with taping and meeting. When I finish an area that I taped off and go onto another, I over tape the finished area by about 1mm or so. After finishing the other side I can see a faint line where to two sides meet. How do I get around that? Anyway, here are some pics.

Wife's car

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I did a test run on my wife's fender and I'm having a small problem with taping and meeting. When I finish an area that I taped off and go onto another I overtape the finshed area by about 1mm or so. After finishing the other side I can see a faint line where to two sides meet. How do I get around that?

Why are you taping off adjacent panel areas? The idea of taping is to protect trim from damage during polishing, or protect things from polish staining or splatter/buildup. Sometimes people will run a tape line down a panel to do a 50/50 to prove to themselves, a customer, or other members (via photo) how much correction was performed. It doesn't sound like you're taping for any of those reasons.

 

[japjoe7]

Why are you taping off adjacent panel areas? The idea of taping is to protect trim from damage during polishing, or protect things from polish staining or splatter/buildup. Sometimes people will run a tape line down a panel to do a 50/50 to prove to themselves, a customer, or other members (via photo) how much correction was performed. It doesn't sound like you're taping for any of those reasons.

I understand what you are saying. I also thought that you tape off areas so you don't over-polish areas that you have already done. I thought taping off a 16x16 area would remedy that.