Help with rotary pads

F

funfactor89

New member
I have a makita 9227 that i just picked up. Just wondering if you could help me pick some pads for it. I've had a pc for about a year now and i think i'm ready to start to learn how to use a rotary. I have a hood and fender to practice on and also a beater car. I was thinking about going with the 6.5" Cobra cross&groove pads at AG. What do you think? For the pc i have all LC pads 4", 5" and 5.25". What is the benefit of possibly going up to a 7.5" or 8" pads? I know they will cut faster than a 6.5" Thanks and sorry for the long post.
 
Dude, there are a lot of opinions on pads,but, you can't go wrong with LC - some like the 6.5" and others the 7.5 or 8.5, you have to decide what feels most comfortable for you. Me? I like 3M 7.5" pads - cause I can get them locally and they are the best I've tried so far.
 
I love the Edge 2000 system myself. I have no problem with the 8 inch size, but it seems most people around here like the smaller pads. I like not messing with the velcro and not having it go bad on me. The E2k also allows you to have pad perfectly centered every time. A lot of people on here aren't fans of the E2k, but I love it.
 
i love the meguiars. one of the best. IMO flat pads are better that the curved one.. but it's for you to feel/experience
 
You can't go wrong on pad selections .Its is more of what you feel more comfortable with. I myself have both systems LC using backing plates and the Edge system now using the new industrial adapter and I find my self using the edge setup more now that I'm using wool on 1 side and the foam on another .But that is my preference and may not be to your liking.
 
A smaller size is much better for beginners. 6inch or 7inch is prefered.



A soft pad is better for beginners also, hard pads grip and can move around a lot



A curved outter edge reduces holograms when you tilt the buffer.



If you want a cutting pad the foam ones available are often very difficult to use. A smaller wool pad will be safer, run cooler and reduce the chance of holograms due to the softness on the edges.



Meguiars Solo pads are definitely the best, they are a small-ish 7inch and have soft wool for cutting and foam for final polishing which is the best combination. This is without a doubt the safest pad system to use for beginners
 
TTWAGN said:
A curved outter edge reduces holograms when you tilt the buffer.
Click to expand...





Could you explain this in more detail? I can see how having a pad with a curved edge would be better that one with a sharp edge, but generally speaking, buffing on edge(tilting) usually induces holograms. Partially because you're creating a dry buffing situation because polish doesn't grip or sling out to the far edge of a pad. Are you referring to a minor tilt or somthing more?
 
David Fermani said:
Could you explain this in more detail? I can see how having a pad with a curved edge would be better that one with a sharp edge, but generally speaking, buffing on edge(tilting) usually induces holograms. Partially because you're creating a dry buffing situation because polish doesn't grip or sling out to the far edge of a pad. Are you referring to a minor tilt or somthing more?
Click to expand...

If the pad is 100% flat with a sharp 90 degree angle at the edge of the pad then it becomes extremely difficult working on a curved panel. The sharp 90 degree edge even with the pad flat can hologram the surface if the panel is concave.



Having a smooth edge allowed you to hit a ridge or angle the pad very slightly on a curved panel without inducing holograms. The curved pad gives a smooth transition when you tilt the pad, a sharp edge pad as soon as you reach a certain small amount of tilt the pad grips the paint and goes off in that direction. It is this grip that 99% of the time causes holograms. Often the user has to use a bit of force to keep the buffer straight.



A pad with a nice curved edge is more forgiving.



If the foam is also dense and has strong cutting power then its just a recipe for disaster even in the hands of a trained professional.



You shouldn't have to use dense foam cutting pads in my opinion. The amount of complaints on this forum alone tend to provide a clue. Foam pads should be soft and left to polishing and final finishing. If you need strong cut then go wool. I know a dozen people in my area who have switched to wool for cutting and swirl removal and it was the best decision they made.



Nothing beats a super soft foam pad for final polishing though. As there is a limit to how soft wool can get.
 
Way2SSlow said:
I love the Edge 2000 system myself. I have no problem with the 8 inch size, but it seems most people around here like the smaller pads. I like not messing with the velcro and not having it go bad on me. The E2k also allows you to have pad perfectly centered every time. A lot of people on here aren't fans of the E2k, but I love it.
Click to expand...

I agree, I love the Edge system on my rotary although I prefer to use 6.5" pads as most of the cars I work on have smaller areas where a 8" pad does not fit. I also find 6.5" pads much easier to control. JMHO
 
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