Best Pads for PC

RGoose18

New member
I'm extremely new to detail city and am about to pickup a PC 7424. I need some quick and honest answers as to which way to go w/ the pads and backing plates. I'm thinking Meguiars right now, but I'm sure there are better products out there. Thx -Ryan
 
Meguiar's Velcro backing plate and pads has been a good combo for me.
The new edge system with the quick disconnect and the double sided pads looks interesting as another choice.

There are lots of different opinions about what is "best", which leads me to believe that most of them are pretty decent.
:dunno
Charles
 
For the PC, try to stay with a flat pad. Concave pads work best with rotaries. The flatter the better contact surface you have to work with.

Lake Country is one Mfg, Meguiars another.

Autopia sells Sonus pads.

A good backing plate to match the pads used is all you need.

Pad maintenance is just washing them by hand and air dry and they should last a long time.

Regards,
Deanski
 
I use Lake Country Mfg. pads, got them from topoftheline.com (great prices)

sorry dwayne, just passing along info
 
Hi jon_fl,

I have a PC 7336 with the 6oz weight and, supposedly, this allows me to use a 6" backing plate (flexible) and I can use 6", 6.5", or 7.5"pads. Lake Country Mfg. pads are the first that I've tried and they get mostly positive comments here at DC & other BB's but it's really a matter of personal choice.

The 6" are flat & I find it advantageous to have as much pad contacting the surface as possible. Also, these are good pads to learn on and they remind you to keep the PC parallel to the surface.

The 6.5" are "cupped" and this supposedly reducing product sling but it also reduces surface contact unless you beardown on the PC a bit. I'd advise against this until becoming proficent (I'm not) so let the PC do the work.

The 7.5" are cupped and the edges are beveled, making it easier to get into some tight spaces like around mirrors & spoilers. Also, the backing plate fits into a recessed area in the back of the pad which protects against accidental contact with the paint.

The 7.5" also seem to have a more secure velcro-backing-to-pad, it just feels like it's made to last.

But .......

I've read that the PC 7424 usually comes with a 5oz weight and that limits it to a 5" backing plate and 6" pads.

I'm sure there are many here at DC that are using the 7424 with 6" plates & larger pads, but I've read that combination can lead to above average vibration & fatigue your arms quicker.

Other comments either confirming this thought or disputing it are welcome, you can't always believe what you read elsewhere.
 
Just a thought.
The 5" counterweight can be replaced by a 6" counterweight quite easily. I think the cw is only a couple of bucks from Porter Cable.

Charles
 
charles - good catch, I forgot to mention the weights are easily changed if necessary.

dwayne - mentioning a competitor's site that is not a DC sponsor could be taboo & I don't want to step on anyone's toes.
 
NYV6Coupe said:
charles - good catch, I forgot to mention the weights are easily changed if necessary.

dwayne - mentioning a competitor's site that is not a DC sponsor could be taboo & I don't want to step on anyone's toes.

We have NEVER policed members that offer well intentioned and informative links. That needs to be understood so people don't have any wrong ideas especially when my name is mentioned.

If you like a certain product then by all means use it and share your experiences. We have a PRODUCT REVIEW & DISCUSSION FORUM for this very reason.

There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between members helping members and vendors/reps/manufacturers trying to get free exposure on Detail City and it's pretty easy to know which side you are on.

Dwayne
 
I have been using the 6 1/2 Meg's Pads....the yellow pad is a workhorse :)
The Sonus pads look mighty good tho...
 
I've used both Megs pads and Edge pads. I get the same results, however I've noticed the velcro seems to stay attached longer on the Megs pads, just my 2 cents.

ABCDetail
 
I've got both Edge and Soft Buff. The SB are much thicker, maybe even softer, but this could be a misperception due to the thickness. I think the thinner pads "glide" a little better when working polishes. possibly due to there being less flex, since they're thinner. I've used both multiple times, and haven't had too much trouble with backing separation on either.

If you haven't picked up the PC yet, check to see if there are any "kits" where you get both the hook and loop backing plate and some pads with the pc. Often times if you're ordering wax online, you can get everything at one stop (PAC for example). This would save some shipping charges as you'd be over the $125.00 mark.
 
The sonus pads look interesting because the colors are so pretty haha

Im using megs now, and cant complain, although when the adapter issue with the edge pads gets figured out im probably going to start using them
 
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