LC pads are pretty stiff!

97FLAIRSIDE

97FLAIRSIDE

I like blue! :oP
Well today was really nice out, and was off from work so i decided to test out my new LC pads. Did a small section to see how they would work out. First thing i noticed is how stiff the foam is. I mean it did not give that much at all. Especially the cutting pad.

I started with the cutting pad cuz my truck has some serious scratches and wanted to try and eliminate them as much as possible. Here is what i did.

1. LC cutting pad with ssr2.5 @speed 3, then bumped upto 5
Noticed it kinda hazed.
2. Polishing pad with ssr2 at same settings
hazing kinda went away, alot more shine. the metalic flakes in the paint started to really pop.
3. polishing pad with ssr1, same settings.
Alot more depth, shines like hell, but...........still some haze/buff marks.
I think i should've just started with the Polishing pad and the SSR2.5, then worked down to SSR2 on the other polishing pad. I have a megs polishign pad so i would've used that for SSR1. Then apply PWC with the finishing pad and then the EX with the final finishng pad and Natty's blue by hand.

I only did a small section of the hood and fender. If i took a pic you'de notice a huge difference. Lots of swirls all over the truck except this spot.

But is there anything i can do to soften up the pads?
 
Just a little side note...I would polish at speed 6. Start right off with six and don't worry about starting low and working the speed up with the PC.
 
I have'nt tried the LC pads, but have used a few of the others. All of the foam pads that are designed to cut are usually stiff compared to the polishing and finishing pads from my experencie. I dont know if there is any thing you can do to make them softer, but if you do that may take away the purpose(to cut). A lot of the time a polishing pad with the right product will get the job done, so I always try to start out with the least aggresive and go from there. One thing I do try to remember when using a cutting pad is make sure I mist it with a QD so I dont start off with a dry pad on the paint. That could cause a problem for sure. Your process looks fine. I also do the same as you when polishing, start at a slower speed to work the product around and then bump it up to a higher speed until the product is worked in.
 
They work for me, They will soften up with time. Just a quick note, I would be using ssr2.5 with a light cutting pad on your car unless you really have some swirls. Polishing pad will be enough. Steve reccomends that if you use any polish with a cutting pad, follow with a polishing pad with the same polish. The reason I say dont use a light cut pad if you dont have serious swirls is you have to remember your removing paint when you polish, use the least abrasive thing possible to get the job done, and secondly because a light cut pad will leave some haze.

Greg
 
Don't forget that 2.5 needs to be worked in a looong time with a PC. It is like it is heat activated
b
 
My cutting pad is rather stiff but I don't think that my polishing pads are that stiff
One thing to make sure of it that you use enough product on your pad.
According to Steve SSR2.5 is supposed to be used on a DRY pad, adding water or QD will increase it's abrasiveness.
If you haven't read it here is a thread by Steve describing who to use SSR2.5
SSR2.5 proper amount to use

Good luck
"J"
 
Bob said:
Just a little side note...I would polish at speed 6. Start right off with six and don't worry about starting low and working the speed up with the PC.
Click to expand...

I disagree -- start at like 3-3.5 to spread the product on the panel, and then kick it up to 6. Less sling hapepns that way.
 
I did get the light cutting pad from LC. I didn't want the heavy cutting as my truck is not that bad.

When it warms up again im just going to try the polishing pad i have from my megs set and use 2.5 that way and then just work down to 2 and then 1.
 
I never use cutting pads, way to stiff and leave way too much micro marring IMHO. I use polishing or finishing for everything.
 
MrDetail said:
I never use cutting pads, way to stiff and leave way too much micro marring IMHO. I use polishing or finishing for everything.
Click to expand...

Sometimes that's necessary though, if you want to remove some deep defects. You just have to go back over it another pass with a finer polish and a polishing pad to remove the marring from the compound :yay
 
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