Confused about pads/backing plates for rotary

I

imported_Greg1

New member
I am going to buy a rotary, but am really confused about which pads I want and backing plates I need.



What I am currently considering:

Lake Country pads- tufted or advanced or both?

The tufted pads require a 7 in backing plate.

The advanced pads come in 2 different sizes- 7.5 and 8.5. Which ones are going to be better for a beginner? I am leaning towards the 7.5 because they will be smaller and hopefully therefore more manageable. Also, they should fit on my PC which I need new pads for. Correct me if I am wrong because I have the 6 in backing plate.

Then I would need a backing plate for the rotary. Would I be better off with the flexible backing plate ( http://properautocare.com/flbaplforcip.html ) or the standard 6 inch backing plate?



Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
I think you're good to go. Sounds like the only thing you need is a backing plate that fits the rotary. I haven't tried the new flexi plate and don't know anyone who has. Not sure if its worth the $$ but it might be if you detail lots of cars.



Your LC pads are fine for both machines. I prefer the smaller pads for more maneuverability but a larger pad can do a panel quicker and won't clog up with polish as quickly, so there's a slight trade off. Plus I like the idea of using the same pads for both machines.
 
Any suggestions for backing plates? My 6" PC backing plate says it is save up to 10,000 rpm, so I guess it would be safe on a rotary. It is heavy, so maybe I'd be best off getting a lighter backing plate to go on my PC and move the PC one over to the rotary. If I recall, the meguiars one is pretty light weight. On the other hand, it might be nice to have a self-centering backing plate.



I haven't done much looking yet, but I figure many have gone through this same process......what have you found?
 
.......but in a 6" version in our case......I wonder if the 6" version has the self centering nub too...

Thanks Bret!
 
CRXSi90 said:
Any suggestions for backing plates? My 6" PC backing plate says it is save up to 10,000 rpm, so I guess it would be safe on a rotary. It is heavy, so maybe I'd be best off getting a lighter backing plate to go on my PC and move the PC one over to the rotary.
Click to expand...



The PC uses a different backing plate compared to the rotary.

The PC backing plate is a threaded male while the rotary backing plate is a threaded FEmale of a different size. (Having a brain-pause, can't remember the sizes at present, but they are VERY different.)



FWIW, I too prefer the smaller (6-6.5) pads on a rotary. More control/easier to use safely.
 
In your opinions, should I go with the tufted or advanced pads or both? My goal is to create the smoothest and most glossy surface.



I think I am just going to get the flexible backing plate.
 
Greg- Although there is something to be said for the "limit the variables" approach, *I* would get both. In fact I DID get both. I'm getting back into rotary use after years of just using random orbitals, and I got a bunch of stuff (pads, backing plates) to experiment with. With all the personal preference factors, I really think you have to find what works for YOU. IMO, it's not like one type of (rotary) pad categorically sucks, or anything like that.
 
I've used the tufted pads with a PC and while the results were fine I felt they were too big and created too much vibration for me. So I think the tufted pads should be left for rotary use. I understand their advantages but so far I haven't bought any. I've been sticking with the variable contoured pads from LC and the flat pads from Meguiars.



I think with the right polish and technique you can get the results you want with either pad. The only practical advantage I see with the tufted pads are they can hold more product and don't cake up as fast as other pad types. I'm not sure they deliver a better finish but my experience with them is limited.
 
Yeah, the tufted pads DO vibrate a lot more on the PC. I probably should've mentioned that I got those for use on single stage paint. With some of the SS cars I do, the "not loading up" is a big plus (even enough to put up with the vibration when using them on the PC). Not sure that I see a good reason to use them on basecoat/clear, though.
 
Accumulator, thanks for the info on backing plates...it will save me a lot of confusion!



Since you are a 6" rotary user, what backing plate have you found. Like I said before, I still haven't done much looking, but the one posted by bretfraz is an 8". Thanks to that, I know kinda what to look for, but haven't done the looking. ;)
 
One thing to note is that LC measures their pads from the back. A 6 1/2 inch curved edge pad is 7 1/2" from the front. A 7 1/2" pad is 8 1/2 at the front.



LC backing plate #43-175 fits perfectly into the recessed back of their 7 1/2" pads.
 
CRXSi90 said:
Since you are a 6" rotary user, what backing plate have you found. Like I said before, I still haven't done much looking, but the one posted by bretfraz is an 8". Thanks to that, I know kinda what to look for, but haven't done the looking. ;)
Click to expand...



Once you have both the PC and rotary backing plates in hand, you'll see how different they are.



On my rotary, I've only used the "regular" backing plate, haven't got around to trying the "flexible" one yet. It looks like it's gonna be good, though and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes my favorite. Got them both at CMA- check out their site and it'll all be clear.



I also got the smaller, 4" flexible one, but I wonder how much it'll actually flex. Being smaller, it seems a lot stiffer than the 6-6.5" one. Still, I don't see any downside compared to the regular one.



But as someone mentioned in another post, it pays to consider the weight of the backing pad- anything considerably heavier/lighter than the "regular" one might affect vibration on a PC and speed on a rotary. Not necessarily a PROBLEM, just something to consider.
 
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