PC, M105, speed 6. Problems

Ok I think I have some good answers for you:



1) Lake Country pads are the best I have used, and I've ordered some pretty $$$ pads...



2) Use less product. Not more! 4" pads need about a quarter of the product you would put on a 6.5" pad... So 1 decent dot IS enough product for most of a panel.



Use the pads almost dry, just enough product to keep working... Mist a little QD on the panel if it's hot out and you need to make it last longer.



That is why long-work times are IMPORTANT with a PorterCable over a Rotary... you NEED to work them longer. I would not recommend M105 on a PC in warm weather, use something like Menzerna SIP, Optimum products... Those literally are the only 2 that I will ever buy, and I've used almost everything.



3) Using a PC? Claybar first. No question! The gunk that you cannot see will just make things go slower, cut less, gum up more, and all the bad things you don't want when detailing.



ALWAYS CLAYBAR if you are using a D/A polisher. Even using a Rotary, a lot of problems can be corrected by claybarring first.



Hope this helps!

Tyler
 
SuperBee364 said:
Accumulator, how well are the Griot's pads holding up?
Click to expand...



Generally, they wear like iron, and even aggressive use via Flex 3401 doesn't seem to phase them.



I *did* tear a few up somewhat doing my pal's Jag (sharp edges on trim, even with tape on it I had a few "oops!" moments :o ) but that doesn't seem to be causing any problems on subsequent jobs. Yeah, yeah...a uniform/undamaged pad would be best, but still...



One thing though, their velcro goes all the way to the edge of the pad (at least on the kinda-old ones I have), so you have to be a little careful about not letting it gouge the paint. Haven't had *that* kind of "oops!" as I've been very careful about it ;)



I hadn't used a Griot's polishing pad, for anything except aggressive AIOing, for *years* before getting the Flex and M105/M205! I tried their red "waxing" pad yesterday with M205 and the little 3" Random Orbital, and it seemed to work fine. Somebody else might find a reason not to like it, but it was OK to me for the situation (spot work on the Yukon). Seemed more gentle than a LC black, but hey, it was an apples/oranges comparison to say the least.
 
Yeah reading this thread makes me regret only getting 4 pads... 1 orange, 1 white, 1 black and 1 red.





haha oh and I have a detail tomorrow. Hope it goes well!
 
Caution to those who are using LC 4" bp. I broke 2, fortunately it didn't damage my paint, but it did put a ding in my headlight. I know of 3 other guys who have the same problem with a broken LC 4" backing plate. Seems like it can't handle speed 6 on a pc.
 
I think Speed 6 is part of your problem. I'm on 4-5 for most of my polishing.



Sounds like you might be using too much product as well.



I'd also recommend using water (not QD) to keep the pad moist.
 
Atlantic Euro said:
I think Speed 6 is part of your problem. I'm on 4-5 for most of my polishing.
Click to expand...



Hmmm......



Speed six is the only speed I use for polishing with my PC.......







The smallest pads I have are the LP 5.5's so I'm not familiar with the tearing issues shown in the photographs........
 
I have melted the velcro on my 4" BP on speed 6 removing serious bush-scratches... Worked great until then!



Speed 5 is usually enough with 4" pads, but for some areas I will crank up to speed 6. Or doing an entire panel you can physically move faster when it is on speed 6 and get more done in less time!



I haven't used a 6.5" pad on the PC in years... 6.5" pads are for the Rotary! PC doesn't have the oomph to correct with a 6.5" pad even on speed 6.
 
Dave1 said:
Hmmm......



Speed six is the only speed I use for polishing with my PC.......







The smallest pads I have are the LP 5.5's........
Click to expand...



The only time I polish at lower-than-six speeds is with the 4" (or 3.5") pads. With anything larger I'd use the highest speed too.
 
Accumulator said:
The only time I polish at lower-than-six speeds is with the 4" (or 3.5") pads. With anything larger I'd use the highest speed too.
Click to expand...





I envy anyone who can take the abuse of speed 6. :ca At speed 5 I can last 20 min before I can't feel my hands. :sadwavey:



I do like 6.5" for the rotary, too. I usually use 5.5" low pro pads for the PC.
 
scary bill said:
At speed 5 I can last 20 min before I can't feel my hands..
Click to expand...



Yeah, some things really bug me in that way and others don't. The PC isn't as bad as some other tools, but that's just me.
 
I would (on your next detail) look into getting another set of pads. I have used speed 6 with my pc with success (on 5" and 6" pads). I have had pads in the past that have shredded on the edges where the backing plate meets the pad, just as you have described. I even had one year where my pads would not adhere to the backing plate at 6!



The year that followed those problems I was able to get a new set of pads (improved Sonus DAS) and a 6" backing plate; Those pads and backing plate took everything I was able to throw at it.....even prolonged passes at 6.



If you are using your existing pads and you don't feel that confident with them, then you may wanna try a combo with speed 4 and/or 5. I can get a lot done at those speeds as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top