Recommendations for a rotary polisher

RaysWay

RaysWay

Autopia Specialist
With so much talk on here recently about the benefits of a rotary polisher, I've started to use my Makita much more frequently to gain more and more experience. I'm thinking of buying a new set of pads just for my Makita and wanted to hear if anyone had any specific recommendations.

I remember when Todd Helme first recommended I try the Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing plates and I've been using them ever since. It makes the rotary run so much smoother and easier to control.

flex-foam-hd-rotary-backing-plate-6-inches-12.jpg


I have this backing plate in a 6 inch and 3 inch, I think I'll go ahead and add the 5 inch version.

Thanks
 
I'd say you should go down the hall and ask Mike Phillips, but I keep forgetting that Autogeek place is supposed to be different from this one...unless that's the big announcement...Autogeek is moving somewhere else and leaving Autopia behind??
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I'd say you should go down the hall and ask Mike Phillips...
Click to expand...

I would bet my life savings that he would actually prefer for me to post my question on a forum so that others with the same question would learn too. He gets emails all the time asking questions and his response is to post the question on the forum and he will answer it there.

Setec Astronomy said:
...but I keep forgetting that Autogeek place is supposed to be different from this one...unless that's the big announcement...Autogeek is moving somewhere else and leaving Autopia behind??
Click to expand...

Maybe?! ;)
 
Vega@Autopia said:
I would bet my life savings that he would actually prefer for me to post my question on a forum so that others with the same question would learn too. He gets emails all the time asking questions and his response is to post the question on the forum and he will answer it there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but he doesn't come around these parts (Autopia) too often. Maybe this thread should have been "I asked Mike Phillips what pads to use on my Makita, here's what he said, but what do you think??" :D

I apologize Ray, I'm just always a bit bemused about these things. Back when David B. owned the forum and the store, his parent company used to have several other (car) brand-specific sites which sold the same products and were fulfilled out of the same location, but he never mentioned them here on Autopia, people would find them by accident and mention them.

You do a great job here, I have nothing more to add to this thread because I only use my rotary for polishing glass.
 
Ray,
There are several years earlier, versions of that backing plate you have above, and yes, it is much smoother to use because of the foam instead of hard rubber, plastic, etc., they use on the yellow ones from Lake Country for example..

I run nothing but 5" backing plates and 5.5" pads and will go down to much smaller diameters for spot work on "just that little scratch", etc.. places..

I have both the hard yellow ones and a couple of these foam ones, and use the hard yellow ones when I want absolutely no Flex from the backing plate when Im putting a lot of downward pressure on a paint that is severely damaged, and I need all the help I can get..

I think the one like you have and I also have is great but the trade off for smoothness is its going to take away some of the direct-drive, no slippage that the hard yellow backing plate has..

I hear nothing but praise for Buff and Shine, and perhaps if I ever run down my huge supply of Lake Country pads, I might check them out..

But I am so happy with the German foam used in the L/C Hydro-Shreds , and have spent a few years with them since they first came out, I cant see a reason to change for now..
The Cyan pad alone can absolutely kill most all defects in paintwork and still finish down so nice, glossy, clear, and smooth...

Lots of great choices - lucky for YOU that you are in the best possible place to see all of them every day !!!
Dan F
 
I'll 2nd/3rd/etc. the Buff 'n Shine suggestion. I switched from LC to B/S a few years back because LC pads would fall apart on me & I just didn't care for their quality. I haven't had that problem since switching to B/S. I've not used the new Hydro or Hybrid pads from LC, only because I don't have a need to since I'm well stocked with B/S pads.

I too like 5.5" pads, as they are easier to control, IMO.
 
B & S has Euro Prepolymer pads in their cat.. I have not used them or know if they are similar/same as the European pads that are mentioned. Just thought I would throw it out there.

Dave
 
With my Makita there are several pads I love and use....LC Purple Foam Wool, Carpro Flash Pads, Any LC CCS pads....Megs thin cutting pads
 
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I bought a few HydroTech pads and will add a 5 inch bp and pads from Buff and Shine tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to comparing everything side by side.
 
The Driver said:
I run the 3m perfect it 5 BP, love it.
Click to expand...

I bought that red backing plate years ago - it was a pain to get one then since they were only sold in Europe..
Unfortunately for me, it was a little out of round and I could not really use it...
I had only heard great things about them back then...
Glad yours is working great for you..
Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
I bought that red backing plate years ago - it was a pain to get one then since they were only sold in Europe..
Unfortunately for me, it was a little out of round and I could not really use it...
I had only heard great things about them back then...
Glad yours is working great for you..
Dan F
Click to expand...

Yup, bought mine 5 years ago. I picked it from Britain vwhen currency was low, paid 25 for each an bought 4! I love them.
 
Buff and shine are decent.
Their euro foam isn't the best you can get but very good

Lake country hydro tech pads are my favourite of their range. I never cared for the ccs line, eurotech pads were better
I love the crimson pads
 
I used the Hydrotech pads today and it was great. I used 6.5 and 3 inch pads. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.
 
I like the HT's a lit on my 3401. Ill have to try them with the 3403.

Ive only usd the white ones a couple times but i really liked those ccs pads. Very smooth
 
I am using the cartec pads and compounds at the moment and am very impressed with them,although the black soft waffle pad did break down on me during the week on a black car with no warning and left some heavy swirls that had to be taken care of at the end,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top