LC PC Pads... Theres a hole in the middle!

M

MongooseGA

New member
I just got my order in last night including 2 LC orange light cutting pads. These are the ones with the 'bowl' in the middle. I believe this is to prevent splatter?

I was having difficulty applying my DACP to my Jeep today using this pad. I used the 'X marks the spot' method, and drew a large X from the corners of the pad. Of course, most of the polish ended up in the bowl, because it takes up most of the pad. I found myself pushing very hard on the center of the machine to get the polish in the middle onto the fender to spread around.

What method should I stick to, to put polish on the pad, and distribute it onto the panel before turning the PC on?



I also noticed alot of orange foam dust coming from the pad. I hadn't washed it, so I assume it's just some extra dust from when the pad was cut. After a while it seemed to blow itself out.



'Preciate it :wavey
 
If the PC spins fast enough the polish will slowly feed the outer edge. This works real well. I have tried pads without the cup design just to see it all fling off in seconds.
 
Well, I've never really had a problem with sling. I've always been pretty careful to 'smear' the product around with the machine turned off, so that when I turned it on and slowly accelerated to 6, it kind of prevented itself from splattering.

Do you put any product on the outside of the pad? The reason I ask is, I would be weary of putting a 'dry' pad onto the paint (especially a cutting pad) and turning it on.

Also, does the middle section of the pad make any contact with the paint, or is it just the outer edge that does all the work?
 
LC calls that a "Variable Contour, Polish Pocket", and it's used to reduce splatter. You do need to apply some pressure to make the center of the pad contact the paint surface, but once you get used to it they aren't as awkward to use. I think I still prefer a flat pad, but that just my personal preference.



You may also want to try using a circle pattern rather than an X to apply polish to the pad. Then I just dab and/or smear the polish on the finish before turning on the PC. The pocket is also supposed to reduce polish build-up in the center of the pad.



I haven't really noticed any "orange dust", but you're probably correct that it's just form where the pad was cut.
 
So, when you put the product on the pad in a circular method, do you tend to apply a majority of it to the outer ring?



And I'm with you as of now; my preferance is leaning towards the flat pads.
 
Iâ€â„¢d say about 2/3 of the way outâ€Â¦.. maybe right before it gets flat so you still have some splatter control but donâ€â„¢t have a problem smearing it on your paint before polishing. You just sort of need to experiment to see what works best for you (and your technique).



Iâ€â„¢ve never really had a problem with flat pads slinging product either, but like I said, itâ€â„¢s mostly personal preference, IMHO.
 
I wipe some product on the outer edge along with the "X". If using an orange pad the center will never come in contact with the surface unless you are pushing WAY TO HARD! What you can also do is a circle of product about an inch on the inside of the cup, this way its not so hard for the product to come in contact with the paint.
 
I put the product on the paint than spread it around with the pad. Than I turn the machine on and run it on 2 or 3 to spread it around the area I will be working. Than I turn the machine up to 5 or 6. Never have any problem with splatter.
 
~One mans opinion / observations~



The variable contact foam pads (VC) provide focused pressure around the edges of the pad. They concentrate the polish within a smaller surface area. Theoretically, one would never really use the centre of a variable contact pad. Because of this focused pressure, this type of pad is ideal for cutting. However, the user should be aware that this increased pressure could cause a random orbital buffer to stall. Variable contact pads are better suited for use with a high-speed rotary polisher



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon
 
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