Help choosing the right polishing pad(s)

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bast525

New member
I've been reading almost non stop since buying a Porter cable yesterday. I've determined (I think) that I need a light cutting pad, and possibly a polishing pad for a final shine after using the cutting pad (though if anyone can recommend a good pad that can remove swirls AND get a decent shine without haze, I would love to save a few bucks).



I'm working on a 2007 Mazda 3, bright bright red in color. The paint is in good shape, with only some light swirling and some slightly deeper light scratches, and some very light water spot etching. None feelable by fingernail, none visibile without direct bright/sun light.



I have some Meguiar's ultimate compound, some Presta ultra cutting creme light, and some wax which I will apply by hand.



I'm already in the doghouse with my wife for spending this much money on what she considers a waste at a time when money is kinda tight, so I'm trying to get decent (7 or 8 out of 10) results without spending too much more money.
 
I like the pads from detailers domain. I've gotten too many poorly cut pads (CCS & Hydro Tech) from Lake Country and probably will not buy from them anymore.
 
I was primarily looking at the Lake Country CCS orange pad, and Adam's Polishes orange pad. I'll look at detailers domain. Is there one particular pad you'd recommend for the issues I listed above?
 
people seem to like the meguiar's pads too--as a side note--i know you're probably not looking to do it for a business--but 1 or 2 paid cars and you make your money back xD just saying..
 
I have switched from Lake Country pads to Chemical Guys HexLogic Pads... Which I have heard are manufactured by Buff & Shine. The pads have a significantly longer life and are far easier to clean. They provide spectacular results. They are the only polishing pads I use.
 
bast525- I can't help but repeat my caveat about not using that Presta via PC ;)



Have you decided which *size* pad you're going to use?
 
hmm I realized that I really donl't know what pads I'll be working with if Lake country turns out to be a bad pick...



Maybe I'll try the meg's 2.0 pads? or the Uber pads from domain? ...hmmm....
 
After hours of scouring this and other forums, I decided to pick up a couple Meg's soft buff 2.0 yellow polishing pads, and some swirl x. I will put the Presta FAR out of reach. I will try the yellow pads with the swirl x first and if I still see scratching I'll move up to the UC. At some point, I will pick up the meg's black finishing pads if the yellows and swirl x don't leave me with a satisfactory shine. I bought the Meg's pads in 7" as I currently have only the 6" backing plate and that's the size pad they recommend for that plate. At some point I will spring for a 4" plate and pads or maybe even 3" for tight spots. But within the budget constraints I had to work with I have confidence that the yellow pads and UC/Swirl X should get me a wax-ready shine.



So... few more questions:



How is the typical quality/hardness/thickness of recent Mazda paints?



How much material will I be removing with the combo I've settled on, or, another way to put it, how many times would I be able to buff the paint like this before the clearcoat becomes too thin?
 
bast525 said:
After hours of scouring this and other forums, I decided to pick up a couple Meg's soft buff 2.0 yellow polishing pads... I bought the Meg's pads in 7" as I currently have only the 6" backing plate and that's the size pad they recommend for that plate. At some point I will spring for a 4" plate and pads or maybe even 3" for tight spots. But within the budget constraints I had to work with I have confidence that the yellow pads and UC/Swirl X should get me a wax-ready shine...
Click to expand...



As D & D Autodetail posted, you *DO NOT* want to use 7" pads via PC. I didn't notice that in the other thread where we were talking about this. The Meg's rep who recommended those did you zero favors and I'm downright disappointed/[ticked]-off that he sold those to you. Wrong wrong wrong; way too much friction to get anything done. Just a waste of time waiting to happen IMO.





So... few more questions:



How is the typical quality/hardness/thickness of recent Mazda paints?
Click to expand...



Medium hardness, easy enough to work (but not "7" pad via PC" easy). But thin.



How much material will I be removing with the combo I've settled on, or, another way to put it, how many times would I be able to buff the paint like this before the clearcoat becomes too thin?
Click to expand...



You can get maybe five somewhat serious corrections if it's anything like the clear on my MPV. Fewer if you hammer it via rotary or something like that.



But you won't be taking off an appreciable amount of clear using a large pad on a PC, no matter what product you use with it. Repeat- that's the wrong way to go about it.
 
bast525 said:
After hours of scouring this and other forums, I decided to pick up a couple Meg's soft buff 2.0 yellow polishing pads, and some swirl x. I will put the Presta FAR out of reach. I will try the yellow pads with the swirl x first and if I still see scratching I'll move up to the UC. At some point, I will pick up the meg's black finishing pads if the yellows and swirl x don't leave me with a satisfactory shine. I bought the Meg's pads in 7" as I currently have only the 6" backing plate and that's the size pad they recommend for that plate. At some point I will spring for a 4" plate and pads or maybe even 3" for tight spots. But within the budget constraints I had to work with I have confidence that the yellow pads and UC/Swirl X should get me a wax-ready shine.



So... few more questions:



How is the typical quality/hardness/thickness of recent Mazda paints?



How much material will I be removing with the combo I've settled on, or, another way to put it, how many times would I be able to buff the paint like this before the clearcoat becomes too thin?
Click to expand...



Yes, if you can, return the 7" pads. I would spring for a 5" backing plate and snag some 5.5" pads. Those 7" pads are way too big to be effective with the PC.
 
In the Buff and Shine, there is a white foam but I notice that not everyone selling it (or relabeling it) seems to carry the white? Anyone know why?
 
You definitely give back 7" pad. As if you want the optimum result, the difference between backing plate & pad should be 0.5". For you, the combination of backing plate & pad would be 5" & 5.5".
 
Ugh.... ok. So even a 6.5 pad on the 6" backing plate is too big to be effective? Alright. Well I ordered from Autogeek and they have a decent return policy, I'll move down to a 5 inch plate and 5.5 pads.
 
bast525- Good move :xyxthumbs I know it's a hassle, but not nearly as bad as spending forever getting nothing done!



Hope the 5.5" ones work out for you; I always needed to drop all the way down to 4" ones for significant correction, but maybe you'll be among the people happy with that larger size.
 
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