What size finishing pad?

G

Grimm

New member
I'm going to be ordering a Griot's polisher soon (only experienced with the old PC), and was thinking of getting a couple new pads as well. I was planning on picking up a light polishing pad and a finishing type pad. I've had a couple 6.5" LC white pads I've used that seem to do the job well. But I'm wondering if I should try a 5.5" pad instead, or if it matters with the more powerful GG? Reason I ask, is I figured I'd take advantage of the BOGO at a certain vendor for the larger pads (once I figure out which green is the right polishing pad).
 
I have the griots. I removed the supplied 6" backing plate. I installed a cg flexiable da 5"backing plate. I use 5.5 pads with the griots now.

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Same here--replaced the BP with a 5" and bought 5.5" pads. Every six pack of 5.5" pads saves you $15 over a six pack of 6.5" pads. And while 5.5" not absolutely necessary with the GG RO they do cut, polish and finish faster according to most posts I've read.
 
To clarify, I do have 5.5" orange pads, which I know cut better. Just wanted to know if the same holds true for something less aggressive like a white pad for the final polish step.
 
That depends on what brand of white finishing pad you are using. I use the Buff and Shine white finishing pad and its more aggressive than say lake country white finishing pad. I use the green polishing pad as it is the next less aggressive in the buff and shine line. Then the blue pad. So I think that you need to specify what brand of white polishing pad you have before more information can properly be given.
 
I would presume he's talking about LC pads, as those are the pads he mentioned he had in his first post, as well as the pads that AG is selling on BOGO :)
 
While I generally have always gone with smaller pads, I'm doing fine with 6-6.5" ones on the Griot's. For final polishing especially, I haven't noticed any downside at all, even on Audi clear.
 
EngineBuilder said:
Aside from machine specs, does the finishing pad make any difference to the actual polish?
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I'm not sure I'm reading your Q right, but yeah...different "finishing pads" work differently with different polishes (and/or on different paints). It's one of those imponderable things where you can't really say how a given combo will work until you try it, but fortunately things seldom go all *that* haywire when you're working with really mild pads and products.



But I recall somebody (maybe SuperBee364? Where is he anyhow....:think: ] saying how some finishing polishes (maybe PO85RD?) don't work great with certain "blue finishing pads". So I guess you really *don't* know until you try.
 
Accumulator said:
I'm not sure I'm reading your Q right, but yeah...different "finishing pads" work differently with different polishes (and/or on different paints). It's one of those imponderable things where you can't really say how a given combo will work until you try it, but fortunately things seldom go all *that* haywire when you're working with really mild pads and products.



But I recall somebody (maybe SuperBee364? Where is he anyhow....:think: ] saying how some finishing polishes (maybe PO85RD?) don't work great with certain "blue finishing pads". So I guess you really *don't* know until you try.
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Hi Old friend! :D



I too find that *some* finishing polishes (when working with a flex or PC) do not work well with a blue pad, or any pad that is too soft. The LC red crimson pad, as well as the American buffing products white and red seem to finish out on just about any paint with *most* finishing polishes--as always YMMV and technique plays a huge role.



I can even make m105 finish pretty close to perfect with the right pad, even on soft paints. Of course "pretty close to perfect" just doesn't cut it around it here, but it sure saves a lot of time in the shop! :D Thinking about what we use to have to do to make a car perfect compared to modern techniques just doesn't seem fair, but I sure wouldn't trade the experience....
 
ebpcivicsi- Hey stranger :wavey Good to see you posting, hope all is well with you.



Did you hear I sold the Yukon? The dealer who bought it didn't even bother washing it, just pulled it into the showroom and it sold itself in no time. Now that [#^&@]ing paint is somebody else's headache!



Man, what am I ever gonna do with all the blue Edge pads I bought...:nixweiss Wonder if the blue ones I have for the Cyclo will play nice with the PO85RD :think:
 
Accumulator said:
ebpcivicsi- Hey stranger :wavey Good to see you posting, hope all is well with you.



Did you hear I sold the Yukon? The dealer who bought it didn't even bother washing it, just pulled it into the showroom and it sold itself in no time. Now that [#^&@]ing paint is somebody else's headache!



Man, what am I ever gonna do with all the blue Edge pads I bought...:nixweiss Wonder if the blue ones I have for the Cyclo will play nice with the PO85RD :think:
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I didn't! I bet they were so happy to have it--hope you never have to "see it around town" (cringe) to see what the new owner has done to it. :D



I have to make a post about my vehicle escapades over the last two years--absolutely unbelievable! :D



I use a lot of (new) blue pads to apply sealants...that's about it nowadays.



I have the "vortex ticking" issue with the cyclo/blue pads too, but you have a lot more experience with that machine, so they might work.
 
ebpcivicsi- Nah, the Yukon's buyers were from out of state :D



You still have the Infiniti?



That "vortex ticking" thing really worries me as I'd sure hate to screw stuff up at the final step! And despite my decades of experience with the Cyclo, changing certain variables will render all that moot anyhow...and I'm a big fan of keeping stuff Accumulator-proof!
 
Accumulator said:
ebpcivicsi- Nah, the Yukon's buyers were from out of state :D



You still have the Infiniti?



That "vortex ticking" thing really worries me as I'd sure hate to screw stuff up at the final step! And despite my decades of experience with the Cyclo, changing certain variables will render all that moot anyhow...and I'm a big fan of keeping stuff Accumulator-proof!
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That's nice! Once I sell I typically never want to see it again! :D



I do, though she is at the dealer now and has been all week having some small things done that I think are due (though they think I am crazy, but what else is new?). I think I am going to sell it soon though--I bought it in June of 07 and I have only put 10,000 miles on it. It's really not daily driver friendly IMO simply because it is "too nice to me/hard to replace" and I almost don't enjoy it becasue of that. Strange to say that over a car that most people despise, but it is "nice to me." :D



Boy do I understand! The ticking can be a bear to correct at times too...with a DA anyways.
 
ebpcivicsi said:
..I do [still have the Infiniti], though she is at the dealer now and has been all week having some small things done that I think are due (though they think I am crazy, but what else is new?). I think I am going to sell it soon though--I bought it in June of 07 and I have only put 10,000 miles on it. It's really not daily driver friendly IMO simply because it is "too nice to me/hard to replace" and I almost don't enjoy it becasue of that. Strange to say that over a car that most people despise, but it is "nice to me." :D..
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Heh heh, sounds like me with my Audis :chuckle:



.. The ticking can be a bear to correct at times too...with a DA anyways.
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And if I try to do stuff with a rotary I get holograms! :o



Which DA/RO are you using these days?
 
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