Questions on Pads/Backing Plates

M

mike529

New member
Just bought a PC 7336 and have a few questions regarding pads/backing plates. First time user here...

The 7336 has the 6" counterweight...should I go with a 6" backing plate or a 5"? I plan on buying 6.5" pads.

Is a flexible backing plate more desirable?

Which is better for a beginner...flat or contured pads?

Lake Country makes a pad called "constant pressure pads"...any thoughts on these? http://www.properautocare.com/hi612infopaa.html

Thanks for any help,
Mike
 
One more question. Is this statement true?
" Polishing pads can "cake-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness. If you don't want to stop in the middle of polishing to clean pads, plan on using 2 or 3 pads to polish the average car".
I was hoping to get away with using 1 pad for each seperate product.

Thanks Again,
Mike
 
In *MY* opinion I would say get the 6.5 backing plate, although either will work fine. As for a flexible plate or not...who cares? the pads conform to the surface enough. I get away with 1 set of pads on a D/A machine per product per car (without massive amounts of "dead" or oxidized paint), rotary is different story. I would suggest getting 2 cutting, 3 polishing, 3 finishing pads if your budget allows it. Also I would check out a product called Klean from Hi-temp, makes cleaning pads a breeze. As far as contoured or flat... I prefer flat pads for the rotary (which were not talking about) and I really dont think there is much of a difference on a PC as to which type I like better. Everyone will have their own opinion though as to which suits them better.
I havent tried the new pads yet so I cant comment on them.
 
mike529: first, take the backing plate that came with the 7336 & store it away until you're doing some woodworking 'cause you won't need it for doing your car.

I'd suggest buying a 6" flexible backing plate, this is what I bought from TOL but any 6" plate will suffice:

http://www.topoftheline.com/polisher-back-plate.html

I've used these LC pads: 6" cupped, 6.5" flat, and 7.5" variable contact but I have not used the constant pressure pad which looks like the next generation 7.5" variable contact pad. For starting out with a PC, I'd say they're worth it.

If you go with a 6" plate, I'd stay away from the 6" pads 'cause you run the risk of plate-to-paint contact with both being the same OD.

The 6.5" flat pads are good for starting out but I think the velcro backing could be better.

The 7.5" pads have the best velcro attaching & the backside of the pads are cupped so the 6" plate is centered on the pad. The variable contact feature also makes it easier to transition from panel-to-panel.

You should not mix products on a pad unless you start out with a mild polish and find that you need something with more cutting action ... this is OK.

But do not start out with an aggressive polish/compound on the pad and then switch to something milder .... you'll get poor to inconsistent results.

I agree with scottabi's suggestion for quantities of particular pads, you'll probably need them & in the long run you'll never find yourself needing the extra pad(s) to finish a car & you don't have them in your inventory.

Take your time & good luck
 
Just like all detailing products, lots of opinions.
The Meguiar's 5" Velcro backing plate and the Meguiar's 6.5" pads have worked great for me for 2 years.
As far as type of pads, I don't own a cutting pad and have never felt the need for one. The need to change pads in the middle of a detail has never come up either. My stock includes 5 polishing pads and 3 finishing pads. The quantity is mostly to have a different pad for each product I use.
As a hobby detailer, my requirements may be different than some since my vehicles are done fairly often and aren't in bad shape to start with.
Product use by pad:
Polishing pad = Poorboy's PwC, S100 SEC, Klasse AIO, Meg's #9, Meg's NXT
Finishing pad = 4 Star UPP, Meg's NXT
Quite often I hand apply AIO, UPP, NXT, or S100 Carnaube with a foam applicator. Viking make one with a molded in handle that works great, but I have mostly the smaller Meg's hand applicators.

Charles
 
mike529 said:
One more question. Is this statement true?
" Polishing pads can "cake-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness. If you don't want to stop in the middle of polishing to clean pads, plan on using 2 or 3 pads to polish the average car".
I was hoping to get away with using 1 pad for each seperate product.

Thanks Again,
Mike
Click to expand...

I've been using Mike Phillips(Meguairs) method lately of just using a soft nylon brush to brush out the pads and they seem to be staying soft and clean:dunno
 
I too use the nylon brush method for cleaning foam pads as I am using them and before use again ... If they are going to sit for a long time unused, then I wash them in Dawn, rinse and let dry.
 
:brick :doh
One option I forgot entirely is The Edge System.
They make a quick connect adaptor and pad system that has a lot of potential. If I didn't already have so many Velcro pads, I would definitely look into it.

Charles
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I wound up going with the Meg's pads. I ordered over their 800 number. They have a deal right now...if you buy a bottle of metal polish for $6 you get free shipping (which would have been about $8).

Thanks,
Mike
 
First time user here...The 7336 has the 6" counterweight...should I go with a 6" backing plate or a 5"? I plan on buying 6.5" pads.
Click to expand...

I would use the 5" backing plate, and you should get the counter weight for the 5" backing plate. I'm not sure if the wrong counter weight with the wrong size backing plate will make that much of a difference. IMO I don't think it is worth the chance for $5 of counter weight. If you can't get the right counter weight locally then try Costal Tools. A 6" pad on a 6" backing plate is just an invitation for disaster. The edge of the backing plate will be real close to the paint. For what is worth.
 
OI812 said:
I would use the 5" backing plate, and you should get the counter weight for the 5" backing plate. I'm not sure if the wrong counter weight with the wrong size backing plate will make that much of a difference. IMO I don't think it is worth the chance for $5 of counter weight.
Click to expand...
My 7336 came with the 6" counterweight and I have used it for two years with the Meguiar's 5" backing plate and 6.5" pads. Since it is the only combination I have ever used,I can't really say if the vibration would be more or less of a factor with a 5" counterweight. The combo I use doesn't seem to vibrate excessively. It does definitely vibrate, but not to the point where it seems to be a problem. There again, as a hobby detailer, I don't use it for a full day of detailing.

Charles
 
PC's, by their oscillating nature, will vibrate. How much vibration is normal or tolerable is open to debate. I have a std. 7336 that vibrates and increased speed (5 or more) means increased vibration but well within what I would consider to be normal limits 'cause I have so abnormal fatigue using it.

For all I know, I could have the smoothest running PC out there (a freak) or it could be vibrating more than a std machine should .... who knows. It's the only PC I've ever used so I consider it to be OK & what I feel I perceive to be normal vibration.

IMHO, a 7336 that comes with a 6oz counterweight is fine with either a 5" or 6" backing plate.

A 7224 equipped with the std. 5oz counterweight will vibrate more with a 6" backing plate & corresponding larger pad so stick with the 5" plate because the 6" plate & larger pad combo could approach intolerable.

A 7224 with the 6oz counterweight will handle a 6" backing plate as easily as a std 7336 'cause that's the only difference between a std 7224 & std 7336.
 
I've tried the 7424 with the 5" counterweight and the 7336 with the 6" counterweight; both with 6" backing plates. My observation was that there was noticably more vibration at all speeds when using the 7424 with an oversized pad like the Lake Country 7.5" curved edge pads. My hands tingled after a couple passes with the 7424, but that didn't happen with the 7336.
 
Maybe I'm just a dumb a$$. Then again maybe I'm not. Just kidding, I bought my 7424 from Costal Tools. They have a page on counter weights and the differences between the 7424, 7336, and the 7335. I think I did screw up on the counter weight comment. I went and looked at my 7424 tonight and notice I took off the 5" counter weight and put on the 6" counter weight. Here is the link to the COUNTER WEIGHT page. What I find interesting is if you go to Porter-Cable site they don't mention anything about it. In fact I couldn't even find the counter weight. Please for give me oh great ones :bow :bow :bow :bow
 
NYV6Coupe I like your sig... lol Iv'e been using that for 2 years now.. it is sooooo true!

I grew up in Western NY,, Salamanca to be exact...

When I do use my PC I have the 6" counter weight in it.. Coastal Tool as well!

TC
 
i have the same machine, the 7336sp. i bough 3m 6" backing plate (05776) seems to work fine. and i got it locally. i wish the manufactureer or sellers gave a weight description though, because i hear the lighter your plate pad, the more effective and efficiant the machine runs. however i don't now how true this would be, and if the difference would be at all noticable with a few oz. difference.
 
I don't know what you mean by "effective" (comfort? quality of the work it does?) but I would think that a lighter plate/pad combination would result in reduced vibration for the operator.

There would be less oscillating mass which would result in less intense vibrations.
 
nyv6coupe, the machine i would thing would run, more efficiantly (i edited while you posted sorry), lighter parts would put less load on the motor, but really i would think this would only make a difference if your running on speed 6, other than that, i don't know about vibration, i get so very little if any, when running between 5-6. i also think centering the pad, would reduce any vibration.
 
cheapshot: agreed

I find that the vibrations do not come close to approaching intolerable but centering the pad does help. The 7.5" LC pads make centering a no-brainer 'cause it's the only way they'll attach.

Wonder if anyone would post their thoughts about vibrations by comparing their experiences with velcro-mounted pads and Edge quick connect system pads which are automatically centered by the mounting system.
 
NYV6Coupe said:
Wonder if anyone would post their thoughts about vibrations by comparing their experiences with velcro-mounted pads and Edge quick connect system pads which are automatically centered by the mounting system.
Click to expand...
With the revised short adapter, I found the vibration levels of the E2K DA pads to be comparable to those generated by a 6" velcro plate and 7.5" Lake Country Curved Edge pads. However, smaller 6.5" and 6" velcro pads generated a little less vibration at higher PC speeds. I posted a more detailed summary in this thread - My take on the revised Edge2000 DA Adapter
 
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