Polishing pads

[welshy23]

Hello, just have purchased this - http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368316

Would like some help with which pads to buy... I would rather supply the amount of pads i need for one car then repeat ect... so i was thinking two polish pads then two finishing pads... how do i know which size with fit the backplates? Can i just used the same polishing pads listed on the CYC website?

Thanks

[MikeyW]

I'm currently using 3M pads, really didn't get on with Menzerna's own pads, I mean there polish, couldn't fault it, but just didn't like the pads.

Not sure which backing plate you have, but I HIGHLY recommend you get a foam backing plate, makes a massive difference.

You have 3 main different type of pads: Compounding, Polishing and Finishing. 2 of each will last quite a while, around 5/6 cars each on the 3M pads.

[J222JRA]

Menzerna, 3m, Lake Country.

[welshy23]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/sonus-sfx-foam-pads/cat_13.html

what about anything from that page? These are my backing plate sizes 3",2x5" and 2x6" backing plates,

[MikeyW]

Yep you want 5" pads, and buy some new backing plates, the ones supplied with the kestrals are turd, absolutely rock solid.

I've never used the sonus pads so can't comment on them !

[J222JRA]

Ive used sonus pads....not a fan.

[welshy23]

why 5"? im a bit confuzed why they'd supply 3" and 6" whats the diff bigger surface area cleaning at once ect?... I take it the best size to use is the 5" then?

[J222JRA]

Different size pads for different size areas.....all the arches etc etc i do with 76mm spot pads and large panels with 5 - 6" pads.

[welshy23]

okay thanks alot! so, when im looking for pads i take it the backing plates ive got are universal... so i just look for 5" on the pad itself?

[welshy23]

One more quick question whats the compounding pad for? or is it like three steps, with the abrasive, paint cleanser and then the finishing compound? So if i was just wanting to have an abrasive polish and a finishing polish which pads should i be looking to buy? Compound and finishing?

[J222JRA]

When you find a pad you want the description will state the size of backing plate you require. In time i would upgrade the backing plates to one that are more flexible.

Basic rule is.....the backing plate is always smaller than the pad itself for obvious reasons lol

[saxokid100]

When you find a pad you want the description will state the size of backing plate you require. In time i would upgrade the backing plates to one that are more flexible.

Basic rule is.....the backing plate is always smaller than the pad itself for obvious reasons lol

Agree +1.....:y:

[rorz_vts]

im not a fan of the sonus pads but know other people that wont use anything else, lake country are the pads i like to use now :y:

[SaxoFurio1988]

One more quick question whats the compounding pad for? or is it like three steps, with the abrasive, paint cleanser and then the finishing compound? So if i was just wanting to have an abrasive polish and a finishing polish which pads should i be looking to buy? Compound and finishing?

Compounding pad is for more serious swirls, harder paints, maybe get rid of RDS. The paint cleanser strips the paint of any wax, polish etc. It's not part of the "3 stages of polishing". Rather than getting an abrasive and a finishing polish, you should look to get one that's in the middle too. So you would use this polish http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/menzerna-203s-cat8.html with this pad http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/3m-150mm-pads.html (The yellow one). And then you would refine the paint, and add the gloss with this polish http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/menzerna-85re.html with this pad http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/3m-150mm-pads.html (The blue one)

[Robtur]

Im not a fan of the Sonus pads either, I am using the Chemical Guys Hex Logic pads as my number 1 choice, then it would be the Meguiars pads which are becoming as good as their old pads.