Edge 2000 Pads for Rotary - 6" or 8"

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imported_smprince1

New member
I've decided to go with the Edge 2000 system for my rotary. I've used PC for years and feel comfortable stepping up, but am still a little apprehensive with all the warnings about the rotary.



I am thinking the 6" pads might be easier to control as a beginner. However, the bevelled edge of the 8" pads look useful.



What size Edge pad are most people running on the rotary and why?



Any experiences, good or bad, with one size or the other?



Thanks.
 
You be amaze at how easy the rotary is.



6.5-6.75" pads with a 6" backing plate is the only way to go for beginner or expert.



The Edge pads aren't as flexible/soft/forgiving as they should be for most rotary work. Not good for learning on.



I feel very stongly about the Propel II pads (especially for a beginner), as they are extremely forgiving and effecive. I have about 40 different pads (no exaggeration) and the Propel IIs are superior to everything else I have (I do use some other pads for specific duties, but Propels get me by 90% of the time). The Green Propel should be all you'll need...form light compounding to final finishing.
 
Dang you RAG ... I thought I have made up my mind!!!!!



Actually, just kidding. I appreciate your input.



What backing plate do you use with the Propel pads? Do they have a centering feature? One of the reasons I was drawn to the Edge system is the automatic perfect centering.



Thanks.
 
No. No centering device - it's not needed. I'm not sure why people make a big deal about centering...I've never had a problem with this. Even when it's slightly off center, it doesn't effect performance.



It's no contest. But I should say I do use the Edge dual-sided wool pads when I need to get crazy (don't even go there till you have at least a hundred hours behind the rotary).
 
RAG said:
No. No centering device - it's not needed. I'm not sure why people make a big deal about centering...I've never had a problem with this. Even when it's slightly off center, it doesn't effect performance.
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I have read off-center pads contribute to buffer trails and make the buffer more difficult to control. :nixweiss
 
smprince,



I was in the EXACT situation that you were about 2 weeks ago, and I decided to go with the edge 2000 8 inch rotary pad system. I had no trouble learning with them, and I like them MUCH better than the LC pads I had on my PC. The centering really helps out, and I love the two sides. If you want my opinion, go with the edge, you really wont regret it.
 
smprince1 said:
I have read off-center pads contribute to buffer trails and make the buffer more difficult to control. :nixweiss
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I suppose if it's really off center it would be hard to control...but it takes like 5 seconds to center it well enough. And "no", it doesn't lead to greater halograms (buffer swirls).



And no offense to whitejave, but he/she just used a rotary for the first time two weeks ago and is now giving you advice? I don't know, but without having anything to compare it to, this is a little scary to me. I'm telling you from experience...the Propel II pads are the easiest to learn on. In fact, you will find that most of the cutting-edge professional out there are now using these pads. That's a thread closer. If you try them and don't like them (green Propel), you can ship them to me and I'll pay you what you paid for them.
 
No offense intended, but I'll accept opinions/advice from seasoned pros as well as those just learning the rotary. I value both since each brings their own unique perspective.



I appreciate your comments RAG and I also appreciate your comments whitejavaS500.



If anything, I don't want a "thread closer", I want to get as many voices as possible (that's the great thing about a forum such as this).
 
I was in these same shoes about 1.5 years ago....after using the PC for 2 years I took the leap and went rotary. It was awesome, fast and better results in my never to be humble opinion. I must say that I still use my PC often but for those weekends when the mood strikes I bust out the rotary



I used the standard rotary pads for about 6 months then liked the idea of the EDGE 2k bevelled edges to get into those tight spots. Because of the 2 usable sides of the EDGE pad I really only needed one pad and I must say it was well worth the price. If I had to do it over again I would go 100% EDGE 2k...live & learn as they say. As my traditional pads wear I will be replacing them with EDGE pads there is nothing better for getting in those tight spots.



Don't worry about using a rotary, long ago a prof detailer told me all I have to remember is to "keep it flat & keep it moving". those words served me well, to date I have never introduced swirls or halos to any of my cars. Although i did trash a wiper arm by not paying attention to what i was doing.



good luck
 
RAG said:
You be amaze at how easy the rotary is.



6.5-6.75" pads with a 6" backing plate is the only way to go for beginner or expert.



The Edge pads aren't as flexible/soft/forgiving as they should be for most rotary work. Not good for learning on.
Click to expand...





That statement leads me to beleive you never tried the Edge 2K pads . If you did you know the double sided pads are more flexible then any single side backing plate pad out there. Can you bend your pad and backing plate in half ? I doubt that you can , I know for a fact you can't . Do yourself a favor and watch the video on thier web site and see how flexible the pads are.
 
Rollman said:
That statement leads me to beleive you never tried the Edge 2K pads . If you did you know the double sided pads are more flexible then any single side backing plate pad out there. Can you bend your pad and backing plate in half ? I doubt that you can , I know for a fact you can't . Do yourself a favor and watch the video on thier web site and see how flexible the pads are.
Click to expand...



Sure you can bend the pads/backing plate, but it's the foam itself that I don't feel is "forgiving" and doesn't conform to curves as well. Better than most pad lines/systems, "yes," but not better than American Buffing/Propels. I think most of the edge foam is better suited for the PC than the Propels, but for the rotary it's the other way around. Both are well made products that I'm sure smprince will be happy with either.
 
RAG said:
Sure you can bend the pads/backing plate, but it's the foam itself that I don't feel is "forgiving" and doesn't conform to curves as well. Better than most pad lines/systems, "yes," but not better than American Buffing/Propels. I think most of the edge foam is better suited for the PC than the Propels, but for the rotary it's the other way around. Both are well made products that I'm sure smprince will be happy with either.
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Perhaps you were using the older, stiffer, durofoam? My edge stuff is very soft. In fact their white 80ppi pads are comparable, if not softer than the American Buffing 100 ppi white pads.
 
Yes your right about durafoam being a firmer pad ,which gives you pad longevity. If a softer pad is what you like they make pads in Euro foam also which is much softer . The 8" pads are much more flexible then the 6" pads and thats do too the overall thickness of the 6" pad. Like I said watch the video on the web site and you can see how flexible the pads are. On a side note I have 6" durafoam pads that are at least 2 years old that I use on my personal car only. :buffing:
 
So I'm reading the 8" pads are more flexible ... does that make it easier to learn the rotary on them? More forgiving?



I was thinking the 6" pads would be easier to learn on ... ?



Thanks for all the comments.
 
I'm still a rookie with the rotary and I have found the 6" pads much easier to work with. I guess the best thing I can say would be to use both and see what you prefer
 
NickMach1 said:
I'm still a rookie with the rotary and I have found the 6" pads much easier to work with. I guess the best thing I can say would be to use both and see what you prefer
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I agree, I will eventually end up with both sizes I'm sure ... however just wasn't sure which size kit to start with.
 
A good way to learn is to get a deck lid from the junk yard and practice on it . Maybe you could hookup with someone local to you , check in over at the Regional Forums here. Its a long shot but maybe they have some different pads you could try out . As far as whether 6" is better to learn on I can't answer that , I think everyone learns at their own pace . Good luck :buffing:
 
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